Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Marine Extension Service is hosting a Chatham County freshwater public program series at the Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island near Savannah.
The Saturday workshops are free to the public and open to ages 10 and older. The next sessions will be held on March 31 and April 14 from 10-11:30 a.m.
“Through discussions and activities, the series will help those interested in becoming stewards learn more about clean water initiatives,” said Kelly Muench, one of three Georgia Sea Grant marine education interns leading the sessions.
On March 31, intern Ashley Powenski will tackle home water consumption and usage in “Water Quality from Your Faucet to Your Drain.”
“We will discuss the sources of freshwater for Chatham County and the testing procedures performed to ensure the water is safe for consumption,” she said. The session will also cover the potential presence and threat of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in drinking and coastal water. Participants are encouraged to bring consumer confidence reports.
Muench will lead the final segment of the series on April 14. The session will cover storm water runoff pollution, the impact of human activities on the Georgia coast and storm water solutions. Participants are asked to reserve a spot by April 11.
In addition to the discussions, each workshop will have hands-on activities. Depending on the session, interactive models, simulation systems, a bacterial water monitoring demonstration, games and crafts will be used.
For more information on the workshops, contact Anne Lindsay at lindsaya@uga.edu or 912/598-2355. For more on the UGA Marine Extension Service, see http://marex.uga.edu.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium
The Marine Education Center and Aquarium is a unit of the UGA Marine Extension Service, which provides educational programs that promote the understanding of coastal and ocean environments and encourage stewardship for students, resource managers, businesses and the general public. The Marine Extension Service is a public service and outreach unit of UGA, a land- and sea-grant institution.
Georgia Sea Grant
Georgia Sea Grant, which is part of a national program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, channels funds into colleges, universities and research institutes throughout Georgia to support local research, education and outreach to bring a balanced approach toward land use, economic development and ecosystem health on the coast.
The Georgia Sea Grant Internship Program began in 1987 and is a nationally recognized marine education program, particularly under the auspices of the center’s Maryellen Timmons and Anne Lindsay. For more information on the Georgia Sea Grant Internship Program, see http://georgiaseagrant.uga.edu/.