The Atlanta Urban Ecologists program for youth in grades 8 through 12 will guide students in the discovery of the fascinating, rich ecology of metro Atlanta, providing opportunities for hands-on field experiences and fun with their peers. Perfect for students interested in pursuing careers in science or conservation or those who just enjoy being outside in nature, the Atlanta Urban Ecologists program provides students with opportunities to learn alongside experts in the field, as well as meaningful experiences in the outdoor places that make Atlanta the “City in a Forest.” Students will establish a network of environmental professionals who can assist with their academic and career development while having fun outdoors with their peers.
Sessions are hosted by a different environmental nonprofit on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM from October to May. An orientation session will be held on Sunday, September 12, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the Georgia Audubon office.
See below for the program calendar and session descriptions.
Partners for the 2021-22 program include : Sunlit Earth, Amphibian Foundation, Georgia Audubon, American Rivers , Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Masons Mill, and Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort.
Program fee: $425
Need-based scholarships are available. Please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship if cost is a burden.
If you have questions regarding the schedule or program, please email Kiana Leveritte, education coordinator.
Sessions are hosted by a different environmental nonprofit on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM from October to May. An orientation session will be held on Sunday, September 12, from 3:00 to 4:30 PM at the Georgia Audubon office.
See below for the program calendar and session descriptions.
Partners for the 2021-22 program include : Sunlit Earth, Amphibian Foundation, Georgia Audubon, American Rivers , Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Masons Mill, and Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort.
Program fee: $425
Need-based scholarships are available. Please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship if cost is a burden.
If you have questions regarding the schedule or program, please email Kiana Leveritte, education coordinator.
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2021-2022 program schedule
October – Solar Astronomy with Sunlit Earth (Glenlake Park)
Saturday, October 2, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
In this session, students will get a close-up view of the sun through observatory-quality narrowband telescopes and spectrographs. Students will witness first hand any solar storms, sunspots, flares, prominences or active regions which may be happening on the day of the event and will learn to count sunspots. We’ll also consider how manmade obstructions can confuse animals and insects by confusing the natural dispersion of sunlight in our urban environment. During a guided hike through a local nature preserve, we’ll learn about the ways that organisms manipulate the sun’s visible light spectrum to survive and evolve.
In this session, students will get a close-up view of the sun through observatory-quality narrowband telescopes and spectrographs. Students will witness first hand any solar storms, sunspots, flares, prominences or active regions which may be happening on the day of the event and will learn to count sunspots. We’ll also consider how manmade obstructions can confuse animals and insects by confusing the natural dispersion of sunlight in our urban environment. During a guided hike through a local nature preserve, we’ll learn about the ways that organisms manipulate the sun’s visible light spectrum to survive and evolve.
November – Tree Identification and Service Project with Trees Atlanta (Atlanta, location TBD)
Saturday, November 6, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Trees are a critical element of a healthy community. During these sessions, Atlanta Urban Ecologists will become better informed stewards of our urban forest by exploring and understanding the dynamic role that trees play in the urban ecosystem. We’ll learn how to start identifying a few trees commonly found in Atlanta, during the live webinar. Students will then participate in a service-learning project (tree planting or forest restoration) with the intention of restoring biodiversity in Atlanta.
Trees are a critical element of a healthy community. During these sessions, Atlanta Urban Ecologists will become better informed stewards of our urban forest by exploring and understanding the dynamic role that trees play in the urban ecosystem. We’ll learn how to start identifying a few trees commonly found in Atlanta, during the live webinar. Students will then participate in a service-learning project (tree planting or forest restoration) with the intention of restoring biodiversity in Atlanta.
December – Urban Rivers with American Rivers and Finding the Flint (College Park)
Saturday, December 4, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Finding the Flint is working to raise awareness about Atlanta’s Flint River headwaters and to restore and reconnect the river to communities around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. During these sessions, students will learn how to find and “read” urban creeks and discuss the environmental and cultural impacts of urban development on our creeks and waterways, and how green infrastructure can help restore natural flows and improve water quality. Student will have the opportunity to tour the hidden headwaters of the Georgia’s second longest river and discuss potential restoration opportunities and how they can provide community benefits.
Finding the Flint is working to raise awareness about Atlanta’s Flint River headwaters and to restore and reconnect the river to communities around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. During these sessions, students will learn how to find and “read” urban creeks and discuss the environmental and cultural impacts of urban development on our creeks and waterways, and how green infrastructure can help restore natural flows and improve water quality. Student will have the opportunity to tour the hidden headwaters of the Georgia’s second longest river and discuss potential restoration opportunities and how they can provide community benefits.
January –Natural History at Mason Mill Park (Decatur)
Saturday, January 8, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
How much do you know about human history in the Atlanta metro area? How does that human history intersect with natural history and ecology? During these sessions, students will explore the ways that humans have affected our local environment over the last 12,000 years, as well as the way the environment has affected human history. During our hike with Ranger Jonah, we will visit ancient rock outcrops, modern train tracks, the ruins of a park built in 1939, a now-defunct water treatment plant, and the confluence of two of DeKalb’s important waterways. Participants will learn about Native American history, first white settlers, Civil War and the end of slavery, and the industrialization of nature during the early 1900s and view the physical results of this history on the landscape and plant life
How much do you know about human history in the Atlanta metro area? How does that human history intersect with natural history and ecology? During these sessions, students will explore the ways that humans have affected our local environment over the last 12,000 years, as well as the way the environment has affected human history. During our hike with Ranger Jonah, we will visit ancient rock outcrops, modern train tracks, the ruins of a park built in 1939, a now-defunct water treatment plant, and the confluence of two of DeKalb’s important waterways. Participants will learn about Native American history, first white settlers, Civil War and the end of slavery, and the industrialization of nature during the early 1900s and view the physical results of this history on the landscape and plant life
February - Bird IDentification and Community Science with Georgia Audubon
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Saturday, February 5, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Birds are all around us, but they often go unnoticed as they go about their daily lives. In these sessions, we’ll explore the important ecological services birds provide and learn how to identify common local birds by sight and sound, as well as how to use observation skills, field guides, and technology to identify unfamiliar birds. During our field trip to a local birding hotspot, we’ll hone our skills using binoculars and identifying birds in the field, and students will keep contribute to community science by submitting an eBird checklist |
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March – Amphibians with Amphibian Foundation (Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, Decatur)
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Saturday, March 5, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Amphibians eat millions of bugs, provide critical medical advancements in human health, and are important indicator species for the health of our planet, yet nearly 40% of the world's amphibians are in decline or already extinct. The Amphibian Foundation will lead students in lab and field identification of the 28 species of frogs and salamanders native to this region of Georgia—the ones found in our urban neighborhoods—as well as teach students how they can help collect important data for science and conservation. Students will conduct a field survey, learning the best practices for locating and safely handling amphibians. After the session, students can continue to participate in the Metro Atlanta Amphibian Monitoring Program (www.maamp.us), conducting field surveys and collecting data on our urban amphibian communities. |
April – Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (Stonecrest)
Saturday, April 2, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
The AWARE Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife from across Atlanta. Students will get to meet several of AWARE's rescued ambassadors up close, including owls, hawks, opossums, and more. They will also learn how they can take action to help when encountering a wild animal that may be injured or orphaned. Finally, they'll learn what goes on inside a rehabilitation center and how rehabilitators give animals in need a second chance at a wild life.
The AWARE Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife from across Atlanta. Students will get to meet several of AWARE's rescued ambassadors up close, including owls, hawks, opossums, and more. They will also learn how they can take action to help when encountering a wild animal that may be injured or orphaned. Finally, they'll learn what goes on inside a rehabilitation center and how rehabilitators give animals in need a second chance at a wild life.
May – Wilburn Farm (Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Stonecrest
Saturday, May 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM
For our final session, we’ll put our urban ecology skills to the test, joining Ranger Robby and other conservation professionals at Wilburn Farm at Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve for an evening bioblitz to see how many different plants, animals, and other organisms we can identify. A former homestead, the site has a variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, rock outcrops, and meadows. We’ll learn how to use iNaturalist to identify species in the field and report our sightings to a community science database. After we’re finished exploring, we’ll learn how to safely make an outdoor fire and celebrate the program’s completion with pizza and s’mores around the campfire.
For our final session, we’ll put our urban ecology skills to the test, joining Ranger Robby and other conservation professionals at Wilburn Farm at Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve for an evening bioblitz to see how many different plants, animals, and other organisms we can identify. A former homestead, the site has a variety of habitats including forests, wetlands, rock outcrops, and meadows. We’ll learn how to use iNaturalist to identify species in the field and report our sightings to a community science database. After we’re finished exploring, we’ll learn how to safely make an outdoor fire and celebrate the program’s completion with pizza and s’mores around the campfire.
