UGA Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

A big shoutout to our amazing youth volunteers and Mrs. Sophia! 🐸🐢🦎

Each week, this dedicated group volunteers their time to help care for our animal ambassadors, including our reptiles and amphibians. Their compassion, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn make such a difference!

Today, they went above and beyond by lending a hand during our center cleanup day. Not only do they help keep our animal ambassadors happy and healthy, but they also take pride in helping keep our center looking its best for our visitors.

We are so grateful for their hard work, dedication, and the time they give to supporting our center. Thank you, Mrs. Sophia and our wonderful youth volunteers, for being such an important part of our team!

11/04/2026

We brought the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center to the classroom this morning! 🪨🔍

We had so much fun visiting Creekside Elementary School for our Rocks and Minerals program! Students became geologists as they explored different types of rocks, conducted mineral tests, and experienced the rock cycle through a lively game of rock cycle tag. Thank you to Creekside for being such a fun group—we had a rockin’ good time! Go Crawdads! 🦞

Did you know we can bring many of our educational programs directly to your school? Email [email protected] to learn more and check availability!

11/03/2026

🍂 Wild About Learning with 4-H and Warnell Registration is OPEN! 🍂

Join on us on November 17 at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center for another fun day of learning and exploring. This month the Warnell staff will be diving into the science of autumn and students will be exploring the question—Why do tree leaves change color in the fall? Our Friends From 4-H are joining the fun to lead a special turkey-themed activity just in time for Thanksgiving!

Session Details & Registration:

• Kindergarten – 3rd graders (Ages 5–9)
• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Register here: https://forms.gle/NMeGVNxzYBmNwXb48
• 4th – 8th graders (Ages 10–14)
• Time: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Register here: https://forms.gle/b66rPAnk394tNvgd6

10/30/2026

Only one week left to submit your design to become the next flyer for the Savannah River Fire Festival!

Official contest guidelines + submission form:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_yx2KsPt0ElbJpzZLlGgGjomLSx1x2Gj?usp=sharing

10/30/2026

A few snapshots from our recent Georgia Project Learning Tree workshop at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center! 🌳

We had a wonderful day exploring hands-on ways to bring environmental education to life. Thank you to the Georgia Tree Council for partnering with us and to everyone who joined us for a day of learning, sharing, and connecting outdoors!

10/06/2026

There’s still time to enter the Savannah River Fire Festival High School Art Contest!

We’re searching for a local high school artist to help bring the 2027 Savannah River Fire Festival to life! The winning artwork will become the basis for this year’s official festival flyer. 🔥

The contest is open to high school students living in Effingham, Bryan, Chatham, or Bulloch County.

The winning artist will receive:
• $100 Amazon gift card
• Savannah River Fire Festival T-shirt
• Recognition at the festival
• Their artwork displayed at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center

Designs should capture the fun and spirit of the Savannah River Fire Festival and can draw inspiration from prescribed fire, forests, wildlife, and natural resource conservation.

Entries are due November 6

Official contest guidelines + submission form:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_yx2KsPt0ElbJpzZLlGgGjomLSx1x2Gj?usp=sharing

Teachers, art educators, parents, schools, and community organizations—please help us spread the word and share this opportunity with a young artist! 🎨🔥

10/06/2026

Registration is open!

October’s Wild About Learning is almost here! Join Effingham County 4-H and the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center on Tuesday, October 27 for another day of hands-on learning and discovery.

This month, we’re getting WILD about herpetology as we explore the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians! Plus, our friends from 4-H have another fun, hands-on fall activity planned for participants!

Space is limited, so be sure to register for the appropriate age group below:

🐍 Ages 5–9 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Register here: https://forms.gle/1pp2cRxKRRRkLGNT6

🐢 Ages 10–14 | 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Register here: https://forms.gle/NaFRKSdRm2ZxqCBN9

Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center
5960 GA Highway 17 South
Guyton, GA 31312

Come ready to explore, discover, and get WILD about learning! 🍂🌲

10/05/2026

🌳 Only a few spots remain—registration closes October 8!

Join us for a Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment training and discover engaging, hands-on activities that connect learners to forests and the natural world.

This training is perfect for formal and non-formal educators, natural resource professionals, homeschool parents, and anyone who works with youth!

October 13, 2026
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center
Guyton, Georgia

Continuing education credits are available:

ISA CEUs: 1 hour
SAF Category 1 CEUs: 6 hours

Don’t miss your chance to join us! Learn more and register here:
https://gatreecouncil.org/what-we-do/programs/

10/01/2026

Celebrate Bat Week with us at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center! We have two opportunities for families to discover the fascinating world of bats:

🦇 Bats After Dark: A Guided Bat Walk
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Recommended for ages 6 and up; the whole family is welcome. Guided by Lydia Moore, an ecologist with the Wormsloe Institute.

🦇 Batty About Bats: A Homeschool Program
Friday, October 30, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Open to homeschool youth of all ages; recommended for ages 4 and up.

Bats After Dark registration: https://uga.questionpro.com/batwalk
Batty About Bats registration: https://forms.gle/dCa2imvPvXcJtU7eA

Please note space is limited for both events.