Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

06/24/2026

🦉 We realized it’s been a while since we’ve updated you on one of our feathery friends!

For those who may not know her, TreeBark is an Eastern Screech Owl and one of the animal ambassadors in SREL’s outreach program. Earlier this year, she laid a clutch of eggs in her nest box. While these eggs aren’t fertilized and won’t hatch, egg-laying is a normal part of the breeding season for female screech owls, which typically lay 2–6 eggs per clutch.

06/19/2026

Did you know that shrews possess the fastest heartbeats of any mammal? 👀 they have resting heart rates ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 beats per minute (that’s up to 25 beats every second).

06/18/2026

We’re excited to partner with Hitchcock Woods Foundation for Moth Night Out with SREL Outreach Coordinator Amanda Hurst!
 
Participants will gather around light stations designed to attract moths and other nocturnal visitors, with opportunities to observe the insects up close and help identify the species that arrive throughout the evening. Whether you’re a longtime moth enthusiast or simply curious about what comes out after dark, this is a unique opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of moths found in our region.
 
📅 Wednesday, June 24
⏰ 8:30–10:30 p.m.
 
Registration is required and carpooling is encouraged. Learn more and register at the link in the comments!
 

06/17/2026

Join us in supporting Jessica Brown as she prepares to defend her master’s thesis, Cs Sorption to Savannah River Site Stream Sediments.

As a master’s student in the University of Georgia Department of Geology, Jessica’s research focuses on stable isotope biogeochemistry, mineralogy, and aqueous geochemistry. Her thesis examines cesium sorption to Savannah River Site stream sediments, contributing to our understanding of geochemical processes in natural systems.

📅 June 17, 2026
🕒 3:00 p.m. EST
📍 SREL Cypress Room

We wish Jessica the very best as she reaches this exciting milestone in her graduate career and look forward to celebrating her successful defense. 🎉

06/16/2026

Join us in supporting Danica Shannon as she prepares to defend her master's thesis, Petal to the Metal: Plant Feeding by Adult Mosquitoes and Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals in Larvae.

As a master's student in the University of Georgia Department of Infectious Diseases, Danica studied mosquito ecology, including how nectar feeding and larval exposure to heavy metals may influence mosquito physiology and development.

📅 June 16, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m. EST
📍 SREL Cypress Room and Zoom

🔗 Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99977133864

We wish Danica the very best as she reaches this exciting milestone in her graduate career and look forward to celebrating her successful defense. 🎉

06/13/2026

Here’s a side by look of two male Eastern fence lizards 🦎 the males are famous for their bright blue patches, but the intensity and shade of that coloration can vary quite a bit from one individual to another 💙🩵

06/11/2026

Join us in congratulating Emily Erard-Stone on the successful defense of her master's thesis, Evaluating Sorbents for the Removal of Iodine-129 Species in Groundwater at the Savannah River Site.

Emily, a candidate for a Master of Science degree in Geology, defended her thesis on June 11, marking the successful completion of years of hard work, research, and dedication.

Congratulations Emily on this outstanding achievement, and best wishes on your next chapter! 🎉

06/03/2026

You might notice some new visitors in your garden this summer, like we did with this grapevine beetle 🪲 The adults (like this one) feed on grapevine leaves and fruit, while their larvae spend up to two years developing in decaying wood underground.

05/29/2026

As summer temperatures rise across the CSRA, SREL Outreach Coordinator, Amanda Hurst, spoke with WFXG FOX54 about snake safety, identification, and the ecological importance of both venomous and nonvenomous species.

Snakes are valuable members of our ecosystems, helping regulate rodent populations and supporting overall environmental health. We encourage residents to stay alert in areas with tall grass, brush piles, and other natural habitats while respecting wildlife from a safe distance.

🔗 You can watch the interview and read the full story here: https://www.wfxg.com/community/aiken-county/savannah-river-ecology-lab-warns-csra-residents-to-be-on-the-lookout-for-snakes/article_69f97b17-a0a1-48eb-8c48-2a400475c72d.html

Thank you to WFXG FOX54 for helping us share this important information with our community!

As the heat continues to increase the Savannah River Ecology Lab warns residents to keep their eyes on their feet during snake season.