Georgia Shorebirds Conservation Teacher Workshop

November 21-23, 2014

With approximately 400,000 acres of salt marsh, five major river systems, and vast tidal range, the Georgia coast provides vital habitat for wintering and resident shorebirds. Join biologists and birding experts from the Sapelo NERR and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to learn about the integral role our coast, specifically the estuarine habitat, plays in their survival. We will boat to Egg Island, part of an area of regional importance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN)for winter shorebird observations and invertebrate sampling, and venture out to a pristine stretch of Sapelo’s beaches and marshes to observe feeding behaviors and probe the sediments as the birds do to identify their food sources. You’re sure to depart on Sunday with an appreciation for these birds and our habitat, as well as resources that you can use in the classroom to educate your students in becoming good stewards of the earth.

The Georgia Shorebirds Conservation Workshop is open to actively teaching formal and non-formal educators of all grade levels. 2 PLU’s are available.

TOPICS INCLUDE: birding adaptations, migration, shorebird conservation, and corresponding activities

ACCOMODATIONS on Sapelo Island: dorm style facilities with 2 beds per room, central heat; transportation on Sapelo via open flatbed trucks with bench seats. Participants should be in good physical condition and able to walk approx. 1m.

TIME: 4:30pm, Nov. 21 – 4:30pm, Nov. 23

COST: $215 includes meals, materials, island accommodations, & ferry

For questions, please contact: Georgia Graves at or 912.266.2473

Please register by November 1, 2014

REGISTRATION FORM

2014 Georgia Shorebirds Conservation Teacher Workshop

1. Name:

Male: ___ Female:___

2. E-mail Address:

3. School: Name:

County: State:

Grade Level(s):

Subject(s) Taught:

4. Home Mailing Address:

City and Zip Code:

5.Primary Phone#:

Secondary Phone#: None

Emergency Contact:

6.Dietary Restrictions:

DIRECTIONS FOR REGISTRATION:

MAIL COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORM

along with your check for $215 to:

Friends of Sapelo

103 S. Harbour Oaks Dr.

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

ATTN: Shorebirds Teacher Workshop

Fee is due at the time of registration; payment confirms your reservation.

DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1

2014Shorebirds Conservation Teacher Workshop

Agenda Highlights

Friday, November 21

4:30: arrive at Meridian Dock for ferry ride to Sapelo Island

5:30: Ferry departs for Sapelo, approx. 20 minutes to island, load gear onto trucks at Sapelo dock, drive to UGAMI dorms, unload, settle in

6:30: Dinner and orientation

7:45: Introduction: ID, Conservation, and Management in Georgia

Tim Keyes, GADNR Wildlife Biologist

Saturday, November 22

Breakfast

8:00 Shorebird Feeding Behaviors & Food Resources and curriculum activity Georgia Graves

depart for Nannygoat sandy beach habitat

Noon: Lunch

Migration Lecture, Tim Keyes, and corresponding activity

low tide sandy beach, mud flat, and “rocky shore” habitat sampling for shorebird food resources

Free time

7:00 Dinner

Sunday, November 23

Early Breakfast

Sunrise: depart for boat excursion through Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Regional habitat at the Atl Delta and to Egg Island where we will get off to take a closure look at our birds and this pristine habitat.

11:30 Return and Lunch

1:00 Curriculum and internet resource overview, activity session

2:00 Clean-up, Free time, packing

3:45 Depart for Ferry

4:30 Ferry Departs for mainland, farewells and safe trips home!

Suggested Packing List for Shorebirds Conservation Teacher Workshop,

Sapelo Island

Only sheets, a pillow, a comforter, and a blanket are provided for you by the Marine Institute. You must provide all of your own toiletries, towels, wash cloth, hairdryer, bathmat (recent teacher suggestion!)etc.

·  Personal items

·  Rain gear

·  Clothes, shoes, and outerwear appropriate for wind and winter beach. Possibly water proof boots, for boat excursion if we get off on nearby islands

·  sunscreen

·  Camera

·  Flashlight

·  Book light (rooms have only an overhead light)

·  Binoculars

·  Scope, if you have one, we will have a couple at the workshop

·  Notebook, writing utensils, and/or laptop. We have internet access on the island.

·  Money: Cash or checks on the island. There is a small store on the island, along with the Visitors Center on the mainland which takes credit cards as well, excluding Hog Hammock items. Sweetgrass baskets may also be available on the island and at the Visitors Center

·  Water bottle, please bring only one refillable bottle.

·  You are welcome to bring “recreational “ beverages, but please consider bringing canned vs. bottled beverages where applicable. Recycling is limited to cans on the island.