Authored by: Alyxzandria Hawes The Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center is nestled in the 3,300-acre Dorothy Warnell Research, Education and Demonstration Forest, located outside of Savannah, Georgia in Effingham County. As part of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the center serves as a dynamic hub for environmental education and community outreach, providing an interactive learning environment that promotes awareness and appreciation of Georgia’s natural ecosystems. The forest is more than just a classroom - it’s also a certified Tree Farm, sustainably managed to promote biodiversity, healthy forests, and responsible forestry practices. The designation of being a certified Tree Farm shows dedication for caring for the land and provides an excellent teaching environment for showing visitors forestry and land management practices. At the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, hands-on learning serves as the cornerstone for preparing students at the University of Georgia to excel as professional foresters, certified wildlife and fisheries biologists, skilled natural resource managers, and informed naturalists. The Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center provides a similar educational opportunity for K-12 students and guests throughout Southeast Georgia as they have the chance to engage with native trees, examine diverse soil types, and observe the local wildlife. The outdoor based programs encourage visitors to ask questions, think critically, and develop ecological awareness, making the environmental education both engaging and impactful. Among the center’s most beloved educational offerings are the animal ambassadors, who serve as essential teaching resources. Visitors can meet a variety of native and exotic reptiles and amphibians, including the eastern box turtle, gopher tortoise, poison dart frog, tiger salamander, corn snake, and much more. As the school year ends and summer break begins, these animals become the stars of the center’s most popular programs, especially the animal shows and herpetology lessons, which are always in high demand among youth groups and summer camps. Providing youth with the opportunity to meet these animals close up, many for the first time, fosters a sense of awe and empathy. These interactions help youth learn about the role these animals play in the ecosystem, why they deserve our protection, and ways they can help in their communities. By offering hands-on experiences with the animals and immersive time in the forest, the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center inspires curiosity, respect, and a deeper connection to the natural world. The center provides specialized programs tailored to meet the needs of schools, homeschooling groups, youth organizations such as Scouts, 4-H, and FFA, as well as the general public.
