UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

05/29/2026

It's National Alligator Day!

If you haven't had a chance to watch our episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, now is the perfect time. See our incredible UGA Coastal Ecology Lab team at work on a field day in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Since 2017, we’ve worked to conserve and manage alligator populations through cutting-edge research, management, education, and workforce development. We’re learning what alligators need to thrive, and how to protect them from future threats.

Check it out at https://bit.ly/4f9E6ro or stream on Peacock or the NBC app.

05/27/2026

In celebration of American Wetlands Month, be sure to check out our newest photo story highlighting the vital work being done to protect Georgia’s coastal ecosystems. 📷

Saltwater intrusion is a looming threat for coastal freshwater habitats due to the combined pressures of sea level rise and coastal development. Research Trainee Zach Gordon conducted a study focused on understanding how saltwater intrusion on Sapelo Island is reshaping the island's unique biodiversity.

Saltwater intrusion is a looming threat for coastal freshwater habitats on Sapelo Island due to the combined pressures of sea level rise and coastal development

05/27/2026

Our two Knauss fellows, Ashley Ohall and Sarah Roney, have had their federal placements confirmed for the 2026 cohort!

Ohall, a University of Georgia master's graduate, will join the NOAA National Ocean Service Marine Debris Program within the Office of Response and Restoration. Roney, a Georgia Tech doctoral graduate, will serve in the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Aquaculture. Both fellows will begin their yearlong marine policy assignments in Washington, D.C., this June.

Are you a graduate student looking to bridge the gap between coastal research and federal decision-making? Applications for the next Knauss fellowship cohort are open, but the deadline is approaching quickly! Submit your application by June 3 to be considered.

➡ Find details on how to apply for the next cohort at https://gacoast.uga.edu/knauss-fellowship/

Learn more about this year's Knauss fellows at https://bit.ly/4f9USqh

05/26/2026

Glynn County residents - are you new to the area? Want practical guidance on how to protect your family, pets, and property during emergencies?

Join us Saturday, May 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. for the Glynn County Prep Rally at Tractor Supply Co. in Brunswick. During this free, open house you'll be able to hear from local emergency managers, first responders, and preparedness experts to learn steps you can take before, during, and after an emergency.

Disasters can happen anytime, are you prepared? From hurricanes to fires, power outages to everyday emergencies, now’s the time to get informed and stay ready.

Join us for the Glynn County Prep Rally. Glynn County ha partnered with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant for a FREE, open-house event focused on ALL disaster preparedness to help you protect your family, home, and community.

Saturday, May 30, 2026
9:00–11:30 a.m.
Tractor Supply, Brunswick

✔️ Learn how to prepare for a wide range of emergencies
✔️ Talk with local experts, first responders & emergency managers
✔️ Get tips for your pets, home, and health needs
✔️ Enjoy prizes & giveaways!

No matter the emergency, being prepared makes all the difference.

05/22/2026

Our associate director of extension, Bryan Fluech, recently spotted this manatee passing through a Brunswick waterway. Don't see it? Look for the distinctive round "footprint" pattern their paddle-like tails make on the surface.

As beautiful as these gentle giants are to watch, seeing them reminds us of how important it is to share the water responsibly. Since we're closing out , here are a few critical reminders to help keep marine mammals like manatees safe while you're out on the water! 🛥️

• Assign a lookout: Coastal waters can often have low visibility, so have a passenger watch for obstacles or marine life in your path. Polarized sunglasses can help!

• Watch your speed and wake: Unchecked speed reduces your ability to avoid hazards and can result in dangerous collisions with wildlife. Stay particularly alert and navigate responsibly when in shallow water, where well-camouflaged manatees love to hang out.

• Observe, don’t disturb: Never approach or feed marine mammals. Feeding them changes their behavior and can be detrimental to their survival. Harassing or harming them is illegal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

• Who to call: If you ever accidentally collide with an animal, or spot an injured or dead marine mammal or sea turtle in Georgia waters, please immediately call the Georgia DNR wildlife hotline at 1-800-2-SAVEME.

05/22/2026

The UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

New on the student blog, Marine Education Fellow Juliana Gozdick shares how a childhood love for nature and a full-circle journey back to the Georgia coast turned a lifelong dream into a reality. Read about her experiences teaching the next generation and working at the UGA Aquarium!

Ever since I was a young child, I have had a passion for all living things. I remember playing in my backyard, flipping rocks to find critters. I would bring...Read story

05/21/2026

In honor of National Safe Boating Week, we sat down with our boat captain, Todd Recicar, to share some tips for a safe, fun season on the water!

What’s your go-to safety routine before you leave the dock? Tell us below!

05/20/2026

“So make the friendship bracelets…” take the ocean and save it? We might be mixing up the lyrics, but that sounds right to us!

For World Ocean Day we’re hosting a bracelet-making station where you can channel your inner artist to design a custom piece inspired by the Georgia coast using NASA sea level data. Trade them with friends or keep it as a reminder of your commitment to marine conservation.

We’re making the whole place shimmer on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a day of free activities and coastal discovery! 🪩 See you there.

05/19/2026

We’re investing in the future of our coast.

Through our latest biennial research competition, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is awarding $788,000 to seven new projects tackling Georgia's most pressing environmental and economic challenges.

Read more about these two-year collaborative projects and the impact they’ll have on our coastal communities: https://bit.ly/4wzoXpl