About Us

Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy was founded in June 1996 as a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in response to a need in the community for leadership in natural resources management and education programs addressing the community's environmental issues. This need was manifested in various symptoms of ecological degradation that reflected the community's lack of information for resolving these issues. The Academy's mission is "to promote environmental stewardship through education, research, and public outreach."

As an urban river community, Augusta historically has critically impacted the resources of the Savannah River. Of all the forces having an effect on the Savannah River along its 314 mile length, Augusta is responsible for the single largest impact through the cumulative uses and practices of its government, industry, and public. This impact affects riverine plants and wildlife and, more importantly, human population centers downstream, including Savannah.

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    • Memberships
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       • Fred C. Davison Endowment
       • Sponsorships
       • Savannah River at Risk Initiative Campaign
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The Academy's initial two initiatives were:

• a plan to solve Augusta's long-standing violation of federal wastewater release laws by helping to design a constructed wetlands complex for tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater. Some natural wetlands were impacted during construction of the complex and the Academy was established to provide education as mitigation, marking the first time in the Southeast that education served as mitigation.
• partnering with the City to establish the 1150-acre Phinizy Swamp Nature Park consisting of the newly constructed wetlands complex as well as adjacent natural swamplands owned by the municipal government. This verdant urban park has constructed wetlands and natural swamps, streams, river bluffs, river scars, oxbow lakes, and bottomland forests. Completed facilities at the park include nature trails, boardwalks, observation decks, outdoor classrooms, bridges, a picnic pavilion, educational kiosks, an education center, research center, visitor center, and a caretaker cottage.

When the Academy was founded, Augusta-Richmond County provided $25,000 in seed funding. This original partnership set the pace for an impressive track record of community partnerships. To date, more than 180 foundations, corporations, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and civic and educational groups have supported the Academy through financial or in-kind contributions. In addition, the Academy is supported by more than 950 individual and family memberships.

The Academy's programs are highly accessible to residents in seven counties where Georgia and South Carolina share a common border along the Savannah River: Richmond, Columbia, Burke, McDuffie, and Glascock counties in Georgia; and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina.
The goals of the Academy are to promote clean water, to restore ecological functions, and to serve as a catalyst for community participation in local natural resources management. The Academy is the only organization pursuing these goals in this area.

The Academy offers a variety of education programs, tours, and events year-round for the public. A central function is the K-12 program. The goal of this program is to complement conventional, classroom science education with innovative, interactive learning experiences. The Academy's K-12 program meets and exceeds state and local criteria for science education. Education staff also teach college classes and public programs to reach our diverse audiences. The park hosts more than 40,000 visits from students and the general public annually.

The Academy's research program fosters conservation and preservation of remaining natural resources, and engages in science-based restoration and rehabilitation of sites where ecological value has been degraded. Over the past year, the Academy has advanced its profile within the research community with the formation of its Center for Urban River Research in Augusta, Georgia, and its Center for Ecological Restoration in Ridgeway, South Carolina.

The Academy's outreach program has begun a vital dialogue with the local community focused on ecological restoration and preservation. The Academy hosted Augusta's first Earth Day celebration in 1998, and the event has grown to accommodate over 1000 visitors, 20 exhibitors, 6 workshops, a 100 participant cross country race, and a K-12 art competition. The Academy's Phinizy Swamp Visitor Center opened in October 2003, and it has become an integral part of the Academy's outreach mission along with numerous public education programs such as the Swampmobile!, bird migration walks, bike tours, nature photography classes, and eco-camps.

Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy is supporting extensive statewide efforts to develop sound water policy by conducting site specific research, education, and outreach initiatives involving the Augusta corridor of the Savannah River. The Academy's Savannah River at Risk Initiatives will identify the pertinent data, present the information to all stakeholders, and give a voice to community concerns and interests.