Atlanta Urban Ecologists II
Offered to students in grades 8 through 12 who have completed the first Atlanta Urban Ecologists course, this second year course offers a new suite of experiences with new conservation nonprofit partners, including Atlanta Coyote Project, Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort, C, Finding the Flint, Mason Mill Park, and Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project, as well as returning partners Georgia Audubon, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, and Amphibian Foundation.
Sessions are hosted by a different environmental nonprofit on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM from October to May. These sessions will be preceded by a introductory class via webinar on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 PM.* A virtual orientation will be held on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
This year, to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we will require masks and social distancing for our in-person sessions, which will take place outdoors.
See below for the program calendar and session descriptions.
Program fee: $425
Early Bird fee (by September 25th): $400
Need-based scholarships are available. Please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship if cost is a burden.
*Changes to the schedule are noted in the program calendar below.
Sessions are hosted by a different environmental nonprofit on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM from October to May. These sessions will be preceded by a introductory class via webinar on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 PM.* A virtual orientation will be held on Wednesday, September 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
This year, to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we will require masks and social distancing for our in-person sessions, which will take place outdoors.
See below for the program calendar and session descriptions.
Program fee: $425
Early Bird fee (by September 25th): $400
Need-based scholarships are available. Please apply for a Georgia Audubon Scholarship if cost is a burden.
*Changes to the schedule are noted in the program calendar below.
2020-2021 program schedule
Virtual orientation -- September
Wednesday, September 30, 5:30-6:30 PM
Get to know your fellow Urban Ecologists and learn more about the fun we'll be having this year at this interactive orientation session.
Get to know your fellow Urban Ecologists and learn more about the fun we'll be having this year at this interactive orientation session.
Mason Mill Park -- October
Wednesday, October 7, 5:30-6:30 PM -- webinar
Saturday, October 10, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session at Mason Mill Park (Decatur)
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.
Saturday, October 10, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session at Mason Mill Park (Decatur)
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.
Atlanta wild animal rescue effort (AWARE) -- November
Saturday, November 14, 1:00-4:00 PM* -- outdoor session at AWARE (Stonecrest)
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.
*Please note time change. We will not have a webinar with this session.
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.
*Please note time change. We will not have a webinar with this session.
Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project/SunLit Earth! -- December
Wednesday, December 9, 5:30-6:30 PM -- webinar
Saturday, December 12, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session at Glenlake Park (Decatur)
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.
Saturday, December 12, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session at Glenlake Park (Decatur)
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.
Atlanta coyote project -- January
Wednesday, January 6, 5:30-6:30 PM -- webinar
Saturday, January 9, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session
Coyotes are relatively new to the southeast, but they simply filled a vacancy that was created when humans wiped out red wolves. In spite of the fear and concern that some people have about coyotes, they are remarkable animals who serve an important role as top predators in terrestrial ecosystems. Atlanta Coyote Project was formed by scientists interested in learning more about this highly intelligent, adaptable species. Students will learn about the biology and natural history of coyotes, we'll look for scat as a way to understand coyote diets, we'll visit persimmon trees, which are favored food resources for coyotes in the southeast during the fall, and we will analyze images of wildlife collected from remote cameras. In addition, students will see the vital role that citizen science plays in the Atlanta Coyote Project.
Saturday, January 9, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session
Coyotes are relatively new to the southeast, but they simply filled a vacancy that was created when humans wiped out red wolves. In spite of the fear and concern that some people have about coyotes, they are remarkable animals who serve an important role as top predators in terrestrial ecosystems. Atlanta Coyote Project was formed by scientists interested in learning more about this highly intelligent, adaptable species. Students will learn about the biology and natural history of coyotes, we'll look for scat as a way to understand coyote diets, we'll visit persimmon trees, which are favored food resources for coyotes in the southeast during the fall, and we will analyze images of wildlife collected from remote cameras. In addition, students will see the vital role that citizen science plays in the Atlanta Coyote Project.
Georgia Audubon -- February
Wednesday, February 17, 5:30-6:30 PM* -- webinar
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM* -- outdoor session at Blue Heron Nature Preserve (N. Buckhead)
In these sessions, we’ll brush up on or bird identification skills and learn about the exciting careers in ornithology and conservation. Our outdoor session will include an interactive program on bird banding, where students will learn how to setup mist nets for catching birds and the tools and techniques used in the banding process, as well as how scientists use the research to benefit birds. This program will allow students to see birds up close and learn how scientists use the data they collect to inform conservation decisions.
*The February sessions will take place during the third week of the month to avoid conflicts with the holiday weekend.
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM* -- outdoor session at Blue Heron Nature Preserve (N. Buckhead)
In these sessions, we’ll brush up on or bird identification skills and learn about the exciting careers in ornithology and conservation. Our outdoor session will include an interactive program on bird banding, where students will learn how to setup mist nets for catching birds and the tools and techniques used in the banding process, as well as how scientists use the research to benefit birds. This program will allow students to see birds up close and learn how scientists use the data they collect to inform conservation decisions.
*The February sessions will take place during the third week of the month to avoid conflicts with the holiday weekend.
Finding the Flint - March
Wednesday, March 10, 5:30-6:30 PM -- webinar
Saturday, March 13, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session (College Park)
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 our Saturday morning session, 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. After lunch, we will tour the hidden headwaters of the Georgia’s second longest river and discuss potential restoration opportunities and how they can provide community benefits.
Saturday, March 13, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM -- outdoor session (College Park)
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 our Saturday morning session, 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. After lunch, we will tour the hidden headwaters of the Georgia’s second longest river and discuss potential restoration opportunities and how they can provide community benefits.
Amphibian Foundation -- APril
Wednesday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 PM* -- webinar
Saturday, April 17, 6:30-8:30 PM* -- outdoor session at Legacy Park (Decatur)
The Amphibian Foundation monitors amphibian communities in metropolitan Atlanta through our Metro Atlanta Amphibian Monitoring Program (MAAMP). In our second level session, taking place during evening hours, our Urban Ecologists will help us collect data on the 14 species of frog and 14 species of salamander native to Greater Atlanta. Collected over time, this data provides us with vital information on the health and status of our urban amphibian communities and helps us identify sites for conservation and habitat restoration. Students will learn to conduct an amphibian field survey, learning the best practices for locating and safely handling amphibians. Meeting in the evening will enable us to conduct sonic (listening) surveys as well as visual surveys. By the end of the session, our Urban Ecologists will be able to conduct surveys in their own neighborhoods and officially join the MAAMP Team.
*The April sessions will take place during the third week of the month to avoid conflicts with spring break. Please also note the time change for the outdoor session.
Saturday, April 17, 6:30-8:30 PM* -- outdoor session at Legacy Park (Decatur)
The Amphibian Foundation monitors amphibian communities in metropolitan Atlanta through our Metro Atlanta Amphibian Monitoring Program (MAAMP). In our second level session, taking place during evening hours, our Urban Ecologists will help us collect data on the 14 species of frog and 14 species of salamander native to Greater Atlanta. Collected over time, this data provides us with vital information on the health and status of our urban amphibian communities and helps us identify sites for conservation and habitat restoration. Students will learn to conduct an amphibian field survey, learning the best practices for locating and safely handling amphibians. Meeting in the evening will enable us to conduct sonic (listening) surveys as well as visual surveys. By the end of the session, our Urban Ecologists will be able to conduct surveys in their own neighborhoods and officially join the MAAMP Team.
*The April sessions will take place during the third week of the month to avoid conflicts with spring break. Please also note the time change for the outdoor session.
Bioblitz and campfire at wilburn farm (Arabia Mountain) - May
BioBlitz and campfire at Wilburn Farm, Arabia Mountain (Stonecrest)
6:00 to 9:00 PM*
For our culminating session, we’ll put our urban ecology skills to the test, joining Park Ranger Robby Astrove 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.
*Please note time change.
6:00 to 9:00 PM*
For our culminating session, we’ll put our urban ecology skills to the test, joining Park Ranger Robby Astrove 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.
*Please note time change.
