With summer in full swing, Georgia beaches are top destinations for visitors and residents. During the fourth annual Beach Week, they'll be able to learn all about this fragile environment and its inhabitants and ways in which they can help protect and preserve it for future generations.
Beginning Tuesday, June 30, staff from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources/Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and other coastal organizations will be available to answer questions and talk with beachgoers on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. The Coastal Ark, CRD's 30-foot mobile educational unit, will showcase activities, information and materials covering a wide array of subjects including beach water quality, sand dollar stewardship and protecting sand dunes.
CRD staffers will be joined by representatives from Georgia DNR/Law Enforcement Division, Tidelands Nature Center, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Georgia Marine Extension Service/Oyster Enhancement Program and the GEMA Coastal Hurricane Program.
The highlight of Beach Week 2009 will be the live displays and their connection to Coastal Georgia.
“Our goal is to educate people about what they will see at the beach and why good stewardship of this resource is so important,” explains Coastal Ark Coordinator Jennifer Kline.
Beach Week Schedule of Events
DatennnnnnnnnnnnnLocation
Tuesday, June 30nnnnSt. Simons Island - Beach access at the historic
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnCoast Guard Station
Wednesday, July 1nnnJekyll Island - Bathhouse Pavilion area near the
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnConference Center
Thursday, July 2nnnnnSt. Simons Island - Beach access at the historic
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnCoast Guard Station
Hours at all locations will be 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.For more information about the Coastal Ark and Beach Week, visit Georgia DNR/CRD online.
