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Field Trips
General information
Conference participants should sign up for field trips and workshops at the time of registration. Detailed field trip information is below. Workshop information is available on the Workshops page.
All field trips will be available until spaces fill.
All field trips will be ticketed.
A box lunch will be provided for all Full Conference registrants and should be picked up at the hotel prior to leaving on a field trip.
If you have a question about space availability for a field trip, please contact Sherry Phillips.
Please note that the start and end times listed include transportation from and return to the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. The actual field trip and workshop times will be listed in your program.
WALKING TOURS
Savannah Walking Tour: 9:00 am-11:00 am
Savannah is internationally known for its splendid buildings and their beautiful surroundings. Enjoy a one and a half to two hour stroll beneath live oaks draped in Spanish moss, past stately mansions and through landscaped squares. Relive the Civil War, King Cotton’s reign, the city’s earliest days and some of its latest. See Savannah through the eyes of the people who lived here. The walking tour will be led by licensed Savannah tour guide Bob Markwalter, who holds a degree in history and political science and has worked in preservation issues and historic sites for over 35 years. Tour leaves from the hotel. Cost: $18.00 per person.
BUS / WALKING TOURS
Tybee Island Marine Science Center: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Participants will be shuttled to beautiful Tybee Island where they will enjoy a beach walk, a tour of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and an invigorating seining opportunity. Additional time for lunch on the beach will follow this experience. Cost: $35.00 per person.
Jekyll Tour: Tidelands and Sea Turtle Center:
7:30 am - 4:00 pm
On this fantastic up close experience with coastal animals, participants will travel to Jekyll Island to visit Tidelands Nature Center, a University of Georgia facility that works closely with the Jekyll 4H Center to provide live animal programs to island visitors each year. After the morning visit to the Tidelands Nature Center, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the newly opened Georgia Sea Turtle Center where participants will visit the sea turtle treatment and rehabilitation facilities; including food preparation areas, animal holding areas, and Treatment, X-ray and Surgery Rooms. Cost: $75.00 per person.
Oatland Island Wildlife Center: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Come learn about native Georgia animals and enjoy the beauty of the salt marsh while on a guided trail walk along a two mile “Native Animal Nature Trail” at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center of Savannah) The trail walk will be led by an Oatland Island educator and wind through maritime forest, salt marsh, and freshwater wetlands. Along the way, visitors can observe native animals such as Florida panthers, Eastern timber wolves, alligators, and many more in their natural habitat. Time is provided to explore on your own after the tour and to eat your box lunch on the Center grounds. Cost: $30.00 per person.
BOAT TOURS
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour:
8:00 am-3:00 pm
Captain Mike Neal’s 40 foot pontoon vessel “Island Explorer” will depart from a River Street dock and head upstream for a full day tour of the beautiful and wild Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. En route the vessel will pass Savannah’s river front and the huge International Port of Savannah. Environmental issues which have developed because of proposed port expansion will be discussed and seen first hand. The river turns very wild and beautiful above the port area and offers beautiful vistas and plentiful wildlife. Participants will walk from the hotel to the boat dock. Cost: $50.00 per person.
Studies at Sea aboard the R/V SEA DAWG: 7:30 am- 2:00 pm
Participants will spend several hours aboard UGA Marine Extension Service’s research vessel, RV Sea Dawg. Participants will learn how to determine their position using charts, compasses, and landmarks along the shore. Different types of oceanographic sampling equipment will be demonstrated (nets, bottom sampler, water samplers) and data are collected at several locations for later analysis. A trawl will be conducted for examination of live specimens. Cost: $60.00 per person.
FISHING and DIVE TRIPS (to arrange on your own)
Some folks have expressed an interest in Fishing and SCUBA opportunities. Although NMEA 2008 is not arranging these trips, you may contact a vendor directly to schedule a trip. Please note, you will have to provide your own transportation and pay fees directly to the vendor. We do not endorse or promote these individual dive businesses or clubs, but provide this list as a service to NMEA 2008 attendees.
Fishing Charters
Tybee Island Charters
www.fishtybee.com
Captains Cecil and Elizabeth Johnson - 912-786-4801
Miss Judy Charters
www.missjudycharters.com
Captain Judy Helmey– 912-897-4921
DIVE Shops ands Clubs
Georgia Offshore Scuba Charters
912-756-5260 or toll free at 1-888-476-5347
http://www.scubasmart.com
Fantasia Scuba
912-921-8933
http://fantasiascuba.com/
Mako Dive Charter –
Capt. Walter A. Rhame III, Owner/Master Diver,
U.S.C.G. Certified Master
912-604-6256
www.makodivecharter.com
Southeast Scuba and Travel - Theresa Hiers
912-604-1900
www.southeastscuba.com
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