4-H Tidelands Nature Center
News & Events
Upcoming Events
For the latest Tidelands news and events, check us out on Facebook, or browse through our quarterly on-line Tidelands Newsletter.
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Tidelands Summer Programs- 2013!!
Summer camp canoeing adventures! Click on the image to learn about summer programs offered through our Discovery Day Camps. Or you can check out our fun-filled Coastal Explorer and Coastal Adventure Program Summer Schedule.
See the following, Summer Day Camp 2013 Registration section below for a link to our Discovery Day Camp registration forms. For all other summer programs please call Tidelands (912)- 635-5032 to reserve a space by phone.
Summer Day Camp 2013- Registration
4-H Tidelands Nature Center's Discovery Day Camp will be held June 17- 21, and July 15- 19. Please find links to the day camp registration, medical release, and code of conduct forms included below:
- Discovery Day Camp Registration Form
- Medical Information & Release Form pdf
- Code of Conduct Form pdf
All three forms must be filled out and mailed to us along with your payment, in order to secure a space and complete your Discovery Day Camp registration. If you have any questions regarding registration, please give us a call at Tidelands (912) 635-5032.
--------------------------July 2012 NEWS---------------------------
4-H TIDELANDS NATURE CENTER SUMMER PROGRAMS
Tideland offers great summer-time learning experiences. While visiting Jekyll this summer, be sure to check out our fun-filled, family oriented summer programs.
All ages Welcome! Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. Reservations Required. Please call Tidelands @ 635-5032.
Monday Morning Brunch (Live Exhibit Feeding Program)
Join us for our ‘Monday Morning Brunch’ program. Learn about marine food webs & feeding adaptations. Watch and help feed our marine critters. Includes 30 minute talk and then it’s brunch time for the critters! Meets Mondays in June: 10:45am-11:45am @Tidelands. Cost: $5.00 per person includes admissions.
Summer Seining at South Dunes Learn to use a seine net to catch fish, shrimp, crabs, etc. Participants should wear clothes and shoes suitable for wading. Meets Tuesdays June 5th- Aug. 7th: 10:45am-11:45am @ South Dunes Picnic Area. Cost: $5.00 per person.
Stars on the Water: Astronomy Nights at Tidelands Nature Center Great opportunity to enjoy the night skies. View stars and planets via telescope. Begins at sunset with an audio-visual presentation. Meets select Wednesdays: June 27th, July 11th & July 25th: 9:00-10:00pm on the deck @ Tidelands. Cost: $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per school-age child.
Coastal Explorers at Tidelands Nature Center Children 4-10 are introduced to basic coastal ecology concepts. Explore native animals/ecosystems. Includes making a related craft to take home. Meets Every Friday morning: June 1st thru August 3rd; 10;45am-11:45am @ Tidelands Cost: $5.00 per child (regular admission for adults)
July 6th: Can you dig Gopher Tortoises? Where do gopher tortoises live? Who shares their home? What is a keystone species? Join us as we learn the answers to these questions and more about Georgia's state reptile.Craft: 3D burrow
July 13th: Salt Marsh Adventures Do fiddler crabs pinch? What does a sea pickle taste like? Why is the salt marsh important? Put on your marsh shoes and get ready for some fun!Craft: Periwinkle snail
July 20th: Bugs and Butterflies Explore the world of insects! Learn about complete and incomplete insect metamorphosis. We'll have a chance to see some real live insects in different stages of life!Craft: Pom pom caterpillar
July 27th: Herpetology 101: Reptiles and Amphibians Join us for an adventure with our cold-blooded (ectothermic) friends! How many venomous snakes live in Georgia? What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Meet Tidelands' resident reptiles.Craft: Paper chain snake
August 3rd: Under the Surf
Ever wonder what you might be stepping on while wading in the ocean? Is that a shell, an animal, a fish? Come discover and see some of the near-shore organisms you might meet under surf.Craft: Shell Necklace
The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center is a University of Georgia 4-H Program. In addition to summer programs, Tidelands offers nature walks at various locations around the island, kayak tours in the salt marsh, and school group coastal ecology programs, as well as our exhibit area open to the public, featuring live coastal species including sea turtles, fish, touch tanks, horseshoe crabs, snakes, alligators, and more! Tidelands is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For more information on our summer program schedule, nature walks, exhibit area, kayak tours, etc. call Tidelands at 635-5032.
--------------------------May 2012 NEWS---------------------------
JOIN 4-H TIDELANDS NATURE CENTER FOR OUR SUMMER COASTAL ECOLOGY & ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY
BY: Melissa Jamison, Tessara Couch, Dawn Zenkert
Once again, Tideland offers great summer-time learning experiences for you and your family. While visiting Jekyll this summer, be sure to check out our fun-filled, family oriented summer programs. Programs include; Monday Morning Brunch (live animal exhibit feeding program), Summer Seining at South Dunes on Tuesday mornings, Astronomy Nights at Tidelands on select Wednesday Nights, and our Coastal Explorers program at Tidelands on Friday mornings. Please take a look at our program descriptions and schedule below for the engaging summer-time learning experiences available:
Monday Morning Brunch (Live Exhibit Feeding Program)
Come join us for our ‘Monday Morning Brunch’ program, where you will have an opportunity to learn about one of three topics; marine food chains, food webs, and feeding adaptations in a fun hands on way. You will also be given the opportunity to watch and in some cases help feed our marine critters. Program will consist of a 15 to 30 minute talk and then its brunch time for the critters!
Ages: All ages welcome
Dates: Every Monday in June (June 4th- June 25)
Time: 10:45- 11:45
Where: 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island
Cost: $5.00 per person, includes admission to Tidelands.
Please call Tidelands @ 912-635-5032 for reservations.
Summer Seining at South Dunes
What: Learn how to use a seine net to catch fish, shrimp, crabs, and other creatures as you encounter the marine life of Georgia's coast in this very "hands-on" activity! Participants should wear clothes and shoes suitable for wading, or just come ready to watch the fun. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate.
Ages: All ages welcome!
When: Every Tuesday, June 5th thru Aug. 7th
Time: 10:45 am-11:45 am
Where: South Dunes Picnic Area on Jekyll Island
Cost: $5.00 per person
Please call Tidelands @ 912-635-5032 for reservations.
Stars on the Water: Astronomy Nights at Tidelands Nature Center
What: Astronomy Nights at Tidelands on the waterside deck. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the darkest night skies in Georgia and see stars and planets through our 7-inch telescope. Each program begins at sunset with an audio-video presentation highlighting current and upcoming astronomical events. Learn what planets are where, when to look for meteors, and how to see the International Space Station. As our sky darkens we turn our telescopes skyward for a closer look at constellations and deep sky objects.
Ages: All ages welcome!
Dates: Every other Wednesday (June 13th, June 27th, July 11th & July 25th)
Time: 9:00 pm-10:00 pm
Where: 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island.
Cost: $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per school-age child, small children free.
Please call Tidelands @ 912-635-5032 for reservations.
Coastal Explorers at Tidelands Nature Center
What: Coastal Explorers is our weekly summer program for 4 to 10 year olds and their parents or caregivers. Children are introduced to basic coastal ecology concepts while exploring native animals and their environments. Each program will include time to make a related craft for the children to take home. Programs meet for 1 hour.
**Children must be accompanied by an adult**
Ages: 4-10
When: Every Friday morning: June 1st thru August 3rd
Time: 10:45 am-11:45 am
Where: 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island
Cost: $5.00 per child (regular $2.00 admission for adults)
Please call Tidelands @ 912-635-5032 for reservations.
The Coastal Explorers June program schedule is listed below. Please check back in
July for our July Coastal Explorers schedule).
June 1st: Dock Exploration
Join us for “belly biology” on the dock! Use dip nets to collect organisms dwelling in the fouling community around the dock. Get up close and explore how these dockside critters live and feed.
Craft: Paper Jellyfish
June 8th: Sea Turtles
Come on a sea turtle adventure! How many kind of sea turtle are there? What makes them different from other turtles? How long do sea turtles live? We'll learn the answers to these questions and more as well as meet the two sea turtles that live at Tidelands! Craft: Paper Bag Sea Turtle Shells
June 15th: Awesome Avians!
What makes a bird a bird? Fly on over to Jekyll Island this week to learn more about our fine feathered friends! We'll also do a little bird watching to identify birds commonly found on Jekyll. (binoculars provided)!
Craft: Pine Cone Bird Feeder
June 22nd: Super Sharks of Jekyll
Discover the awesome senses of sharks! Learn their characteristics and answer the question, are sharks fish? Discover which sharks can be found around Jekyll.
Craft: Shark Envelope
June 29thSea Shells by the Sea Shore & The Great Crab Grab
What kind of animal is that with a hard outer covering that you might find along the beach? A Snail? A Crab?Is it a sea shell or a crab exoskeleton? Come learn all about different types of snails and crabs you might find along our Jekyll shores.
Craft: Paper Plate Sea Snails
The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center is a University of Georgia 4-H Program. In addition to summer programs, Tidelands offers nature walks at various locations around the island, kayak tours in the salt marsh, and school group coastal ecology programs, as well as our exhibit area open to the public, featuring live coastal species including sea turtles, fish, touch tanks, horseshoe crabs, snakes, alligators, and more! Tidelands is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Admission price: $2.00 per person. For more information on our summer program schedule, nature walks, exhibit area, kayak tours, etc. call Tidelands at 635-5032.
---------------------DECEMBER 2010 NEWS----------------
4-H Tidelands Nature Center is open everyday this month, except Christmas Day.
You can take a break from the cold and stop by the center to see our newest interactive displays. The focus is "Coastal Waterbird Conservation" and they offer touch-able puzzles with information about many of our favorite bird species -- and what we all can do to protect them as we share Georgia's beautiful islands and beaches.
----------------OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2010 NEWS-----------
Goodbye to "Sea Oat", Hello "Turtle Amy"!
"Sea Oat" has been our "baby" loggerhead at Tidelands since last January, greeting all our visitors as they first come in the Nature Center. But "baby" is growing up, and we're happy to report Sea Oat is developing so well that he was moved from Tidelands this October to be returned to the wild. Orginally found as an injured hatchling, Sea Oat will have a greatly improved chance of survival after spending his vulnerable first year growing with us. Good luck Sea Oat!
^"Sea Oat" as he first came to us. - ^"Turtle Amy" swimming in her new tank.
November brought the arrival of our newest sea turtle at Tidelands: "Turtle Amy". Amy spent the last two years at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and is not currently releaseable due to weakness in her front flippers. Her condition is improving and her new larger home will give her to room to swim, dive and build up her strength. Chasing her fishy tankmates is also great exercise! You can see her in our main room's sea turtle exhibit.
-------------------JULY-AUGUST 2010 NEWS---------------
One of our busiest summers ever! And we couldn't have done it without our summer staff and volunteers. Pictured (from Left to Right) we have Amy Summerford, Alexandra Newton, Jonathan Gray, Jake Martin and Kristin Stolen (and Ben not pictured). We appreciate all their work feeding and caring for all our gators, crabs, terrapins and sea turtles (that's a lot of fish chopping!) and their work with kayakers and children. Here's wishing them all the best as they contiune their college careers and pursue other exciting opportunities in science education!
-------------------MAY-JUNE 2010 NEWS---------------
Summer is almost here! Announcing Tidelands Summer Programs for 2010
What: Coastal Explorers is our fantastic summer program for 4 to 10 year olds and their parents or caregivers. Children are introduced to basic coastal ecology concepts while exploring native animals and their environments. Each program will include time to make a related craft for the children to take home. Programs meet for 1 hour. Please call Tidelands @ 635-5032 for reservations. Click here for schedule.
Ages: 4-10 **Children must be accompanied by an adult**
When: Every Friday June 4th thru August 6th
Time: 10:45am-11:45am
Where: 4-H Tidelands Nature Center- Jekyll Island.
Cost: $5.00 per Child ($2.00 Center admission for adults)
Stars on the Water: Astronomy Nights at Tidelands Nature Center
What: Enjoy some of the darkest night skies in Georgia and see stars and planets through our 7-inch telescope. Each program begins at sunset with an audio-video presentation highlighting current and upcoming astronomical events -- learn what planets are where, when to look for meteors, and how to see the International Space Station. As our sky darkens we turn our telescopes skyward for a closer look at constellations and deep sky objects. Please call Tidelands @ 635-5032 for reservations.
Ages: All ages welcome!
Dates: Every other Wednesday (June 2nd, 16th, 30th, July 14th & 28th, August 11th)
Time: 9:00 pm-10:00 pm
Where: 4-H Tidelands Nature Center– Jekyll Island.
Cost: $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per school-age child, small children free.
Summer Seining at South Dunes
What: Learn how to use a seine net to catch fish, shrimp, crabs, and other creatures as you encounter the marine life of Georgia's coast in this very "hands-on" activity! Participants are encouraged to wear clothes and shoes suitable for wading, or just come ready to watch the fun. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. Please call Tidelands @ 912-635-5032 for reservations.
Ages: All ages welcome!
When: Tuesdays June 8th thru August 3rd
Time: 10:45 am- 11:45 am
Where: South Dunes Picnic Area- Jekyll Island
Cost: $5.00 per person
-----------------MARCH-APRIL 2010 NEWS--------------
Jobs Corps Students Service Day at Tidelands!
Students and faculty from the Brunswick Job Corps Center helped with landscaping and painting projects around Tidelands in April 2010, in participation with Global Youth Service Day. Their excellent work stands out all around the center -- come by and check it out!
--------------JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 NEWS----------
Tidelands' 8th Annual 'Art Inspired by Nature Sale' - Feb. 14th, 2010
Mark you calendars for the 8th Annual Tidelands ‘Art Inspired by Nature Sale.’ The Tidelands Art Sale will be held on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Hartley (Left Side) Lobby of the Jekyll Island Convention Center.
The winter tradition continues with an eclectic array of local artists, displaying and selling their coastal inspired art. Look for your favorite artists from Jekyll, St. Simon’s, Brunswick, Camden, and McIntosh including: Tyler Dominey, Laurel Johns, Debbie Mumford, Buddy Hale, Kristen Pickett, the Jekyll Potters, Lydia Thompson and more.
Items for sale will include pottery, metalwork, watercolors, photography, jewelry, and stained-glass pieces so come early for the best selections and help support local artists and Tidelands Nature Center 4-H!
***Attention Artists*** If you are an artist who would like to exhibit at Tidelands' Annual Art Sale please contact Dawn Zenkert at 912-635-5032 for information.
-------------------DECEMBER 2009 NEWS---------------
You've Got the Right Whale Baby!
A life-size model of a newborn Right Whale has joined the exhibits at Tidelands Nature Center.
North Atlantic Right Whales are critically endangered marine mammals -- only a few hundred remain alive today. The warm waters of the Georgia Bight are the only known breeding ground for these whales -- females migrate south from New England every winter to give birth here.
Georgia recognized this special relationship with these creatures by naming the whale the Official Marine Mammal of the State of Georgia in 1985.
This sculpture was made possible through a grant from the Georgia DNR and the generosity of the artist, Thomas Prochnow.
--------------------OCTOBER-NOVEMBER NEWS--------------
New Shark & Ray Exhibit Open!
The exibit includes displays of shark anatomy, shark fossils, and identification of local sharks.
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Behold, the Oyster Gate!
Created by Daniel Harris and Buddy Hale, this outdoor sculpture dramatically illustrates the many forms of life found in the salt marsh and highlights the role of oysters as the "keystone" species in that community.
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Welcome, Cabretto!
Cabretto is a five year-old loggerhead sea turtle found as a straggler on Sapelo Island. Since then, Cabretto has stayed at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Jekyll Island 4-H Center, and now is coming to Tidelands. You can see Cabretto in Joey's former tank in our main exhibit area.
--------------------AUGUST-SEPTEMBER NEWS--------------
Tideland’s Sea Turtle “Joey”
RELEASED
September 25th, 2009
on
Jekyll Beach
Good luck Joey!
Enjoy the Ocean!
For video of Joey’s release check out
Tidelands Nature Center 4-H
on 
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New Shark Exhibit Under Construction!
Tidelands hasn't been the same since our nurse shark was released last spring, but the wait is almost over! Our NEW shark tank has arrived, and a BIGGER, BETTER, SHARKIER Shark Exhibit is scheduled to open this October!
Here's a peek at the new (much larger) tank being installed:
...new shark pictures coming soon!
---------------JULY NEWS----------------
Nesting Season for Painted Buntings
Every year the Painted Buntings -- called North America's most beautiful bird by Audubon -- return from their South American wintering grounds to breed along the southeastern coast. They are primarily seed-eaters, and a pair has been frequenting our feeders here at Tidelands Nature Center.
If you come early, about 9:00AM, you may get a chance to see these wild feathered wonders in person (male pictured above).
Unfortunantly, Painted Buntings numbers are falling throughout our region. Their population has dropped by over 50% in the last thirty years, and continues to fall. Destruction of coastal habitats is believed to be a major cause.
Jekyll Island remains 65% undeveloped by Georgia state law, and we hope to continue to see our colorful summer visitors for many years to come.
--------------JUNE NEWS---------------
1000-Year Old Artifacts Found During Kayak Tour
You never know what you'll see on a Tidelands kayak tour -- dolphins, manatees or ... ancient artifacts? Kayakers on a Tidelands trip in June, 2009 observed broken pottery and whelk shells on a creekbank at low tide. The pottery was shown to staff from the Jekyll Island Museum who identified them as Native American designs similar to those made by the Mississippian Period Cultures which lived in the area around 1000AD. These artifacts have been added to the museum's collections for further study.
The whelk shells below are also artifacts -- these large snails were gathered and used as food by Native American peoples, and their shells were carefully broken to form many tools such as ax-heads, awls, and shell-trumpets.
So keep your eyes open around Jekyll -- you never know what you might see!
*NOTE: Jekyll Island is a State-owned park, and visitors are reminded that any historical artifacts found here belong to all Georgians and cannot be kept in personal collections.*
Tidelands at Nest Fest 2009
The annual NestFest at Jekyll Island was a big hit this year -- several turtles were released by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and many activities were available for all ages.
Tidelands Nature Center was represented by several of our faithful volunteers displaying shark jaws, seashells and our ever-popular portable touch tank!
Dylan's release
Dylan the loggerhead sea turtle was released June 30, 2008 on Jekyll Island.
Dylan hatched from a nest on Jekyll in August of 1998. She and her nest mate Bob were stragglers who were rescued by the Georgia DNR. As young sea turtles they lived at the facility that now houses our Tidelands Nature Center. Dylan moved briefly to live at a facility on St. Simon's, while Bob remained with us here at Tidelands and our Jekyll Island 4-H Center. (Bob remained with us until his release on Jekyll, into the ocean in October of 2004). Dylan returned to Jekyll in 2002 and lived with us here at Tidelands and the Jekyll 4-H Center until her big move in November of 2005 to the Georgia Aquarium, just in time for their grand opening. Dylan lived at the Georgia Aquarium until June 2007, when she moved back to Jekyll, in time for the grand opening of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The Sea Turtle Center prepared Dylan for her eventual release into the ocean. The photo below shows Dylan on her last day at Tidelands in 2005.
While at Tidelands and the Jekyll 4-H Center, Dylan provided a wonderful educational opportunity for students, campers, and visitors to our Georgia 4-H Environmental education program.
For ten years, Dylan continued to provide the same educational opportunity for visitors throughout her stay in various locations. We wish Dylan well as she finds her own way in the ocean!
Dylan was fitted with a satellite transmitter, in order to track her progress. If you are interested in tracking Dylan as she charts her own path in the sea, please log onto: seaturtle.org
Stop by Tidelands and visit some of our new exhibits for the upcoming 2008-2009 season!
New Exhibits include:
Manatee Mural and Educational Display
Be sure to check out our new manatee mural and educational display, which also serves as the backdrop to our main exhibit entrance. The mural painted by local artist, Buddy Hale includes a beautiful depiction of manatees in the salt marsh environment. The exhibit includes an educational display panel on the life history and characteristics of the West Indian Manatee and information for visitors on how to report sightings and what they can do to help protect manatees.
Maritime Forest Mural (In progress)
Check out the new maritime forest mural in progress at Tidelands which includes an illustrative depiction of the local flora and faura found in our barrier island forest. Painted and donated by local artist, Buddy Hale.
Other exibits include:
- Shark Exhibit Area -- UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- Birding Corner- with interactive kiosk
- Georgia Shrimp Trawler- mural, model, and interactive kiosk
