Educating Georgia Citizens on Native Forest Ecosystems and Sustainable Practices
Educating Georgia Citizens on Native Forest Ecosystems and Sustainable Practices
A Community Based Environmental Education Project
In October 2018, the University of North Georgia began promoting responsible, sustainable actions in the care and conservation of native forest ecosystems in North Georgia.
Through this grant, students and members of the public have learned to assess water quality and tree health, apply sustainable invasive plant management techniques, and identify native/invasive species at community outreach programs and free-to-attend environmental education workshops that will continue until the of 2021.
The project objectives focus on comprehensive knowledge, application, technology, and environmental science skills on the environmental issues of invasive insect species, vegetation management, impairment of waterways due to sediment, soil and water quality issues affecting native forest ecosystems in urban, suburban, or rural communities, as all of these community types have native forest ecosystems in Georgia. One of the major issues in vegetation management is how to control invasive plant species without the excessive use of pesticides. Most citizens cannot identify native species in the Foothills landscape, nor proper methods for treatment; and therefore, are unable to act as good stewards of native forests/trees in Georgia rural, suburban, or urban landscapes. Learning activities on native/invasive plant identification and best treatment practices will mitigate this lack of knowledge.
The Grant Team
Collaborating Partners
Project Area
These counties shown in blue are where attendees of our workshops and programs have come from.
After 2020 UNG will have hosted 8 workshops at these 3 locations.
Click each book icon to see the dates of the workshops.
The Grant team attended several events to promote the Environmental Education Workshops.
Click on each star icon to see a brief description.
These are the counties with ongoing projects related to the grant.
Sub-Awards were granted to five recipients in these four counties.
Click on each to see a brief summary of the recipients' work.
Environmental Education Workshops
Workshop Topics
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Environmental Activities
Participants learned to:
Identify both native and invasive species through an introductory lecture by community partners
Research species type using mobile applications or online field guides on the iPad during the forest walk at the field lab workshop
Measure trees using calipers and assess tree health with a field lab demonstration
Record tree, soil, and water conditions on a GIS data collection app on the iPad during the field lab workshop
Test soil in proximity to selected trees for soil conditions necessary for optimum planting and tree maintenance during a field lab demonstration
Conduct tests for water quality in streams located in forest areas
Promote sustainable practices for removing invasive threats
UNG is honored to award the following five organizations a sub-award in the amount of $5000 each for their proposed environmental education program:
Small-Scale Streambank Stabilization in the Soque Watershed
Soque River Watershed Association
This Habersham County project will educate the public through a series of workshops with the theme of how to identify and restore impaired streambanks. Click here to see their story map.
Understory Arboretum
Smithgall Woods State Park
Located in White County, this project will teach approximately 500 middle school students forest succession and tree identification. In addition, adults will learn similar concepts in a UGA sponsored Master Naturalist program(s) and park visitors of all ages will directly benefit from this native tree identification tour. Click here to see their story map.
Stormwater Education and Calls Creek Streambank Stabilization Project
Upper Oconee Watershed Network
This project should reach the general citizenry of Oconee County as it will include citizen science engagement while also promoting sustainable environmental practices to reduce erosion and harmful runoff at Calls Creek. Click here to see their story map.
Jefferson Dragons Think Blue
Jefferson City Schools BioSTEAM Center
Utilizing a wetlands area on property owned by the school system, this project plans to educate approximately 2000 students in grades K-12 in the Jefferson City School System and community members from Jackson County through volunteer events using the BioSTEAM bus to organize tours for field trips and educational programs regarding wetland habitat and conditions. Click here to see their story map.
Stream and Streambank Health in the Soque Watershed
Soque River Watershed Association
This project should reach approximately 375 Habersham County students in grades 4-9 to help students understand how to manage landscapes with an emphasis on streambank health. Click here to see their story map.
WGS84 34.2350, -83.8658
The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) promotes environmental and geospatial interdisciplinary education with advanced technology and collaborative learning. By choosing the B.S. degree with focus area, a minor, an associate degree pathway, or certificate program, students find the flexibility to follow their passions, while earning valuable, work-ready training through internships, community service, and research projects.
IESA is honored to be the recipient of the 2018-2020 Region 4 Environmental Education Grant from the EPA to promote responsible, sustainable actions in the care and conservation of native forest ecosystems in North Georgia. To learn more about the program visit the IESA homepage at: https://ung.edu/institute-environmental-spatial-analysis/index.php or Email iesa@ung.edu or Call 678-717-3883 or visit our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter
Principal Investigators:
Dr. Allison J. Bailey allison.bailey@ung.edu 678-717-2276
Dr. Jamie Mitchem jamie.mitchem@ung.edu 678-717-3927
Support IESA Today
The UNG Foundation has established a scholarship fund (#8062) specifically for students enrolled in IESA academic programs. Please consider giving the gift of educational excellence to a bright and talented future GIS expert. 1) Visit the UNG donation page 2) Select a donation amount 3) For Designation, select "Other" 4) In the box that appears, type "IESA" or "#8062". Thank you for your support!
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