Nature Programs

Naturalist's Walk Join naturalists as we discover the beauty of the season. Bring binoculars, a camera, and a sense of adventure. Ages: All (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult). Dates: April 25th, 2026 Times: 10-11 AM Fee: free Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees      Log In Creek Walk  N/A N/A Sa  08/29/2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Walker Hall Complex $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Naturalist Walk November  N/A N/A Sa  11/07/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Foyer $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Naturalist Walk October  N/A N/A Sa  10/03/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Foyer $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Open House In honor of our nonprofit name change we are offering a free open house event. Join us to our Friendship Open House. We will have activities and crafts. Knoa Ice will be stationed outside the nature center. Dr. Maurice Snook will have trains on hand. We are having a great Saturday at the nature center, Free event, all ages welcome. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees      Log In Friendship Day Open House  N/A N/A Sa  08/08/2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sandy Creek Nature Center $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res Help celebrate with Friends of Sandy Creek Nature Center

Babies and Beasties Babies & Beasties Series Join us for a series of classes structured for toddlers and their guardians. Explore nature, learn about animals, go on hikes and make nature crafts. Ages: 18 months - 2 years, with accompanying adult. Dates: May 7th, 14th, 21st Time: 10:00 - 10:45am Fee: Preregistration required two days before start of series. $12/ACC resident; $18/Non-resident; SCNC Members get 10% discount Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Babies and Beasties Fall 2026  1y 6m - 2y 11m N/A Th  10/01/2026 - 10/22/2026 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Classroom #1 $12.00 Res, $18.00 Non-Res

Journey Through the Stars Join us for our planetarium program in the Sky Center. We will journey through the night sky, exploring the great beyond. Ages: Ages 5 and up. CHILDREN UNDER 13 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REGISTERED ADULT. Anyone under 5 will not be admitted into the program. Children must be able to sit in the dark through the program portion. Pre-registration is required. Time: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Fee: $5/ACC resident, $8/Non-resident. This program is not scholarship eligible. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees      Log In July"Summer Skies"  5y and up N/A Sa  07/18/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium $5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res All participants must register.      Log In November Planetarium Jason and the Argonauts  5y and up N/A Sa  11/21/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium $5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res All participants must register.     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility October Planetarium "Planet Trivia"  5y and up N/A Sa  10/17/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium $5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res All participants must register.     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility September Planetarium "Fall Skies"  5y and up N/A Sa  09/19/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium $5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res All participants must register.     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Halloween Planetarium  6y and up N/A Sa  10/31/2026 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Planetarium $5.00 Res, $8.00 Non-Res

Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Monthly Meeting The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Sandy Creek Nature Center from October - May. Meetings are open to the public. Check our calendar to confirm the date and location (we occasionally meet on the UGA campus). We invite speakers from a wide spectrum of backgrounds to present on topics ranging from conservation to paleontology. http://www.oconeeriversaudubon.org/ Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     No Registration Required Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Monthly Meeting  N/A Th  10/01/2026 - 12/03/2026 06:30 PM - 09:08 PM Sandy Creek Nature Center $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Athens Astronomy Club Meetings Local astronomy loving individuals meet once a month at Sandy Creek Nature Center. During the meetings we discuss upcoming astronomical events, star watches, and enjoy guest speakers. Some meetings are held at Sandy Creek Park for a Star Watch Event (those events are listed as Star Watch Meetings). Anyone 17 and under needs to be accompanied by an adult. For more information about the club or if you have questions please email: Michelle Cash michelle.cash@accgov.com Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Astronomy Club Meeting  1y - 200y N/A Th  09/10/2026 - 11/12/2026 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Foyer $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

ORLT Butterfly Walk Join retired UGA Entomology Professor Jim Porter on a butterfly walk in Tallassee Forest hosted by Oconee River Land Trust. We’ll start by taking a look at Professor Porter’s impressive butterfly collection and then head into the woods, walking towards the Middle Oconee River as we look for butterflies. Along the way we will gain an understanding of how conservation efforts in Tallassee Forest is helping protect biodiversity on this property. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility ORTL Butterfly Walk  12y - 100y N/A Sa  09/12/2026 09:30 AM - 11:00 AM Tallassee Forest $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Pollinator Census/Bioblitz Help us participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Participants will count how many different species of insects visit a particular flower in 15 minutes. We’ll share resources to make your home more pollinator friendly and have a few activity stations. Ages: All ages. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult Date: August 22 Time: 10am Fee: Free. Registration not required. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     No Registration Required Pollinator Census  N/A N/A Sa  08/22/2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Sandy Creek Nature Center - Outdoor Classroom $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Bring Back Your Backyard: Invasives 101 Join us to learn more about Athens' most unwanted yard guests and how you can safely and effectively evict them. We will discuss what an invasive species is, why they aren't the best yard plants, and how to identify some of the most common invasives in Athens. Then we will offer up some practical ways to treat and remove them from your yard. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Bring Back Your Back Yard: Invasive Removal 101  12y - 100y N/A Sa  09/26/2026 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM Ben Burton Park - Trail $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res Wear closed toed shoes and cloths for yard work. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

ORTL Bird Walk Join our friends from Oconee River Land Trust and wildlife biologist Lauren Gingerella on a birding walk in Tallassee Forest. Strap on those hiking boots, grab your binoculars, water, and a snack for an early morning walk with the birds. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility ORTL Bird Walk  12y - 100y N/A Sa  10/03/2026 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM Tallassee Forest $0.00 Res, $0.00 Non-Res

Bats' Night Out Come out to Dudley Park for an evening with the bats. Learn about local bat populations and how to help them. A question and answer session with bat researchers will be followed by a guided hike. We will visit the park's bat houses to see if the bats are home, and watch them as they emerge to feed. Enjoy demonstrations of bat research equipment. Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees     Registration Unavailable View Registration Eligibility Bats' Night Out  8y and up N/A F  10/23/2026 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM Dudley Park $3.00 Res, $5.00 Non-Res