Calendar
Swamp Saturday Training
Saturday, March 1, 9am-1pm
Love sharing nature with others? Looking for an outdoor volunteer opportunity? This four-hour training session will teach you to lead Swamp Saturday hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Free of charge; RSVP to 706-828-2109 by February 28.
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, March 1, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Family Discovery Series: WaterSmart
Thursday, March 20, 6pm
Get WaterSmart! Director of the University of Georgia Richmond County Extension Service office, Sid Mullis shows you how to water your lawn AND conserve water. Learn the tricks to having a beautiful homescape while being a good environmental steward. The Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 5:00pm for those that would like to bring a picnic dinner. The program begins at 6:00pm. $3 donation per family suggested. Advance reservations not necessary.
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, April 5, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Songbird Walk
Saturday, April 12, 8am-11am
Discern the beautiful music of vireos, buntings, warblers, and other songbirds as you look and listen for feathered friends traveling through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park for the summer. Contribution: $3 Academy members, $5 Academy nonmembers.
Family Discovery Series: Backyard Habitats
Thursday, April 15, 6pm
Lois Stacey will present ways to attract wildlife and birds to your yard while conserving water. Learn how to register your yard as a wildlife habitat. The Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 5:00pm for those that would like to bring a picnic dinner. The program begins at 6:00pm. $3 donation per family suggested. Advance reservations not necessary.
Aiken Earth Day Celebration
Friday, April 18, 9am-12noon
Hopeland Gardens
Aiken County will be raising awareness about E-waste this year as part of their Earth Day efforts. E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “lifespan.” Computers, televisions, VCRs, cell phones, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common examples. The Academy’s Creek Freaks will be on hand for the big day. Call 803-642-7613 for more information. Free.
7th Annual Swamp Stomp 5K
Saturday, April 19, 8am
Get ready for one of Georgia-Carolina’s most scenic races right here at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park! Don’t miss an exhilarating run through the wetlands. Register at www.active.com or call the Academy office at 706-828-2109.
Earth Day Workday
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
Saturday, April 19, 9am-1pm
Make a hands-on statement about environmental stewardship and conservation this year! Assist in building a boardwalk around the William Bartram Rain Garden and other physical projects around Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. These projects will allow students all over the CSRA and beyond to have an optimum experience learning about their impact on the world around them. All ages, skill levels accepted. Coffee, breakfast items, light snacks, and water provided. Advanced registration is required so that we may match up tools, volunteers, and tasks. Call 706-828-2109 to register.
May Events
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, May 3, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Volunteer Extravaganza
Friday, May 16, 5:30pm
The Academy hosts this invitation-only celebration in honor of volunteers’ accomplishments.
Teacher Workshop:
WOW: The Wonders of Wetlands
Wednesday, June 4, 9am-3pm
Thursday, June 5, 9am-3pm
Learn to use wetlands as an interdisciplinary tool in the classroom. Workshop includes “WOW” curriculum and hands-on instruction by trained Academy staff. (1 PLU credit) Cost: $30, includes curriculum and snack on both days. (Please bring sack lunches.) Register by: May 28.
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, June 7, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Swamp Soirée
Thursday, June 12, 6pm-9pm
Don’t miss the Academy’s 10th annual fundraiser. To become a Patron or to buy tickets, call the Academy office at 706-828-2109.
Eco-Camp: Swamp Adventures
June 16-20, 9am-3pm
Rising 4th, 5th, and 6th graders will explore fun, hands-on activities on animal habitats, wetland values, water quality, and more. Cost, $125 Academy members, $150 Academy nonmembers includes week of activities and daily lunch.
Family Discovery Series: Spider Lilies
Thursday, June 19, 7pm
Learn about the endangered Savannah River Spider Lilies. ASU professor Donna Wear will teach how the controlled water release is threatening these beautiful plants. The Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 6:00pm for those that would like to bring a picnic dinner. The program will begin at 7:00pm. $3 donation per family suggested. Advance reservations not necessary.
Sunrise Phinizy Photo Excursion
Sunday, June 22, 6am-8am
Join Ed Belinski on a sunrise excursion through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. He will share expertise on composition and technical aspects of photography in a setting where it’s virtually impossible to take a “bad picture!” See augustaphotofestival.org for details.
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, July 5, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Dragonflies and Damselflies: Phinizy Field Experience
Monday, July 28, 1pm-5pm
Dragonfly expert Giff Beaton conducts a field workshop on his area of expertise which will include lecture and field experience at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Cost: $20 Academy members, $15 Academy nonmembers. Limit: 15. Registration deadline: July 24.
Family Discovery Series: Dragonflies and Damselflies
Monday, July 28, 7pm
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of Georgia’s premiere naturalists as he presents one of his personal passions. Giff Beaton, a bird and dragonfly expert, presents his breathtaking new book Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia. Autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase. The Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 6:00pm for those that would like to bring a picnic dinner. The program will begin at 7:00pm. $3 donation per family suggested. Advance reservations not necessary.
Swamp Saturday
Saturday, August 2, 9:30am
The Academy’s trained volunteers lead free 2½-mile, 1½-hour hikes through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park every month. Don’t miss a walk past wetlands and swamps, over picturesque trails, and scenic outlooks. Please call 706-828-2109 in advance for groups.
Full Moon Hike
Saturday, August 16, 9-11pm
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park comes alive by the light of the full moon! Join Academy staff in search of animals such as owls, frogs, beavers, and bats by nature’s brightest night light. The hike lasts two hours and may cover up to 2½ miles. Contribution: $5 Academy members, $8 Academy nonmembers. Registration Deadline: August 14. Call 706-828-2109 to register.
Family Discovery Series: Midsummer’s Night Hike
Thursday, August 21, 7:30pm
Join Academy staff as we hike through Phinizy Swamp Nature Park’s constructed wetlands in hopes of hearing a frog chorus serenading the arrival of night. Enjoy the beautiful display of light from the setting sun and catch a glimpse of some of the animals that call the park home. The Pfizer Pavilion will be open at 6:30pm for those that would like to bring a picnic dinner. The program will begin at 7:30pm. $3 donation per family suggested. Advance reservations not necessary.
