Upcoming Events
Dock Discovery
Friday, September 4, 2026 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Ever wondered what’s living just beneath your feet along Georgia’s docks? Explore a hidden world by stepping into the role of a marine scientist and investigating the invertebrate community living beneath floating docks along the Georgia coast. Participants will collect dock fouling organisms from the Skidaway River then use microscopes to examine the marine animals from our tidal waters. Sign up today for this hands‑on family adventure in marine science and discovery. Registration is required and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. Ages 8 and older are welcome, but children under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Closed toe shoes are needed for this event.
Starting at $15.00
Saltwater Science Series: Coastal Crayfish
Friday, September 11, 2026 • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join researchers from Georgia Southern’s Freshwater Ecology Lab for an exploration of the rich diversity of crayfish fauna found near Georgia’s coast and barrier islands. Learn about their life history, the ecological roles they play, and examine live and preserved specimens. This session begins at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island. Graduate researcher Evan Wamhoff from Georgia Southern, will provide an overview of coastal Georgia’s crayfish species, and the importance of these small but mighty crustaceans. After the presentation, we’ll head out to a wetland habitat on the Skidaway Marine Science Campus for some hands-on field work using various techniques to survey crayfish that inhabit these ecosystems. Registration is required for participants ages 3 and up and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. Content is best suited for children ages 13 and up, but all ages are welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $15.00
Snake Sense: Separating Myth from Fact
Friday, September 18, 2026 • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Georgia is home to over 40 species of native snakes, and only six are venomous! These fascinating reptiles are vital to healthy, diverse ecosystems and are an important part of our natural heritage. Join our Coastal Ecology Specialist Kimberly Andrews for an engaging program at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium that will help you confidently distinguish venomous snakes from non-venomous species and share practical tips for minimizing risk around your home. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with live snakes from our teaching collection and ask plenty of questions. This interactive session will challenge common myths and leave you better prepared for future encounters with these often-misunderstood animals. Registration is required for participants ages 3 and up and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. This program is designed for ages 5 and up, but younger children are welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $15.00
State of the Georgia Coast
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
The State of the Georgia Coast is a conference dedicated to the future of our coast.Hosted by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and partners, this three-day event will take place September 22 – 24, 2026 at the Richmond Hill City Center. The conference brings together coastal residents, community leaders, and industry professionals with leading experts in marine science, policy, and resource management. Our collective mission is to identify pressing challenges, share innovative research and solutions, and foster collaborative partnerships essential for building a thriving, resilient coast.Organized around the theme, “Partnerships and Problem Solving for Georgia’s Coast,” the event will spotlight Georgia-specific case studies, build partnerships across public, private, and academic sectors, and engage participants in interactive conversations designed to foster collaboration.
Starting at $200.00
Skidaway Marine Science Day
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join us for Skidaway Marine Science Day, a can’t-miss event for all ages, on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a. m. to 3 p.m. on the UGA Skidaway Marine Science campus, located on the north end of the island. The campus-wide open house will be presented by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.As part of Skidaway Marine Science Day:The UGA Aquarium will be open to visitors with no admission fee. Aquarium educators will offer an afternoon full of activities, including a hands-on reptile exhibit, behind-the-scenes peeks of the aquarium and lab demos on the dock behind the facility.Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Shellfish Research Lab will provide hands-on activities and educational information about sustainable aquaculture and oyster restoration!Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s 52-foot Research Vessel Gannet will be available for tours. This vessel was built in 2023 and is used for research and monitoring, diving, education and public outreach, and testing emerging technologies.Environmental organizations and coastal researchers will present a variety of exhibits and hands-on activities for people of all ages on the bluff adjacent to the aquarium. The Jay Wolf Nature Trail will be open for hiking and nature observation.All activities at Skidaway Marine Science Day are free! Don’t miss out on this exciting event celebrating Georgia’s unique coastal environment! Food will be available for purchase.
Free Event
From Farm to Reef: Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration
Friday, October 16, 2026 • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Join us for a morning of exploration on Georgia’s oyster aquaculture efforts! The morning begins with a guided tour of the UGA Shellfish Research Lab, where you will witness the bustling process of spawning and growing oyster seed for local farmers. Next, travel by boat with researchers from the UGA Shellfish Research Lab and marine educators from the UGA Aquarium to learn about oyster farms in the Bull River mariculture zone and oyster reef restoration. Along the way, experts will share insights into the vital role oyster reefs play in improving water quality, providing habitat, and mitigating coastal erosion.Registration is required and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. Children ages 10 and up are welcome but must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $30.00
Shell Bagging
Friday, October 23, 2026 • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Make a difference during Seafood Month by joining staff from our Shellfish Research Lab to bag recycled oyster shells that’ll be used to create new oyster reefs along our coast.Returning oyster shell to our estuaries allows for new oysters to settle and grow, creating thriving reefs that provide habitat for a variety of organisms, including popular recreational and commercial fish species. Oyster reefs also help stabilize shorelines and improve water quality by filtering pollutants.Please note: Shell bagging is a strenuous activity involving shoveling, repetitive bending down, and other physical activity. Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate. Registration is required.
Free Event
Ocean to Table: Lowcountry Boil
Thursday, October 29, 2026 • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Join us for an Ocean to Table program focused on a beloved southern dish – the Lowcountry Boil! This hands‑on program highlights Georgia wild‑caught shrimp, known for their sweet flavor, nutritional benefits, and strong ties to our coastal culture and working waterfronts.During the program, participants will learn about shrimp biology, sustainable fisheries, and seafood safety and nutrition from Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant experts. Discussions will explore how Georgia’s estuaries support healthy shrimp populations and why choosing local, seasonal seafood matters for both people and the environment.The experience wraps up with a live cooking demonstration and tasting of a classic Lowcountry boil centered on Georgia shrimp, showcasing simple techniques and coastal flavors that bring the ocean straight to your plate.Registration is required. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $30.00
TRAWL-O-WEEN
Friday, October 30, 2026 • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Get into the Halloween spirit by joining educators on a Halloween Estuary Trawl! Climb aboard our 43-foot trawler, the R/V Sea Dawg, for a memorable scientific collection trip. Sample the bottom communities found in tidal rivers and sounds, then identify, sort, count and record species and environmental data.You never know what’s lurking under the surface. We may catch sharks, rays or burrfish! Educators will provide information about the natural history, diversity and ecological significance of animals collected during the trawl.This program also introduces Trawl to Trash, an initiative aimed at preventing marine debris from entering coastal ecosystems. Participants will learn about the negative impacts of marine debris on wildlife and habitats and explore the use of Trawl to Trash bags, created from recycled shrimp nets, to collect and remove debris. Each participant will have the opportunity to construct their own bag to take home and use for collecting trash along Georgia’s coast.Registration is required and includes admission to the UGA aquarium. Children ages 10 and up are welcome but must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $20.00
Discovering Your Backyard Marsh
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Georgia has an estimated 378,000 acres of salt marsh, one of the most extensive and productive habitats of its type in the U.S. that serve as the primary nursery for many species of fish, crabs, shrimps, and the birds that feed on them. The salt marsh provides storm protection, opportunities for recreation and improves water quality, but is also under threat due to sea level rise.The South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative brings together partners from North Carolina to Florida to identify strategies for sustaining one million acres of salt marsh across the four-state region, with Georgia’s marshes at its heart.Join Michelle Covi, marsh ecologist and chair of the SASMI Partnership Council, to learn more about the salt marsh in our own backyard and the work underway to protect and restore this vital habitat.This program takes place at the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island, where we’ll begin with an overview of the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative. After the presentation, we’ll head out to the Jay Wolf Nature Trail to discover the marsh up close, viewing the plant and animal inhabitants that make up this ecosystem. Bring clothes and shoes that can get muddy, along with your sense of wonder and adventure!Registration is required for participants ages 3 and up and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. Content is best suited for ages 13 and up, but all ages are welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $15.00
Sketching the Coast: Nature Journaling Basics
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Spend time slowing down and observing the natural world through nature journaling. In this beginner-friendly workshop led by our Artists, Writers and Scholars recipient Dottie Leatherwood, participants will learn simple techniques for recording what they see, hear, and notice, from the shape of a tree to the changing light across the marsh.Nature journaling is a powerful way to connect more deeply with coastal environments by combining art, observation and curiosity. Through guided prompts and hands-on practice, you’ll explore how to capture details of the world around you while building your own personal record of place.No artistic experience is required—just a love and curiosity for the natural world. All skill levels are welcome.Registration is required for participants ages 3 and up and includes admission to the UGA Aquarium. Content is best suited for ages 13 and up, but all ages are welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Starting at $15.00
About
By serving as a bridge between scientists, local governments, and marine industries, we help communities protect coastal resources through sustainable, science-based solutions. Our extension specialists connect university expertise with local needs to strengthen the economic vitality and resilience of coastal communities. Education staff enhance environmental literacy and inspire stewardship by engaging the public, teachers, and students in programs that highlight the importance of Georgia’s coastal ecosystems. We also prepare the next generation of educators and marine scientists through workforce development opportunities for college students. Meanwhile, our research program supports applied studies across Georgia that expand understanding of coastal and estuarine systems and address pressing environmental challenges.
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia (UGA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.