Outreach Facilities on the Georgia Southern Campus

• Georgia Southern University Botanical Garden

  Georgia Southern's Botanical Garden is located on an 11-acre site between Fair Road and Georgia Avenue near the southeast end of campus. Once the farmstead of Dan and Catharine Bland, the Garden's rural ambience evokes the past and provides a backdrop for the Garden's growing collection of southeastern native plants. Features include woodland trails, a native azalea collection, arboretum of woody natives, heritage garden, butterfly garden, children's vegetable garden, complex of early 20th century farm buildings, and a gift shop. The Garden is a research and educational resource for faculty and students and provides undergraduate and graduate internships as well as continuing education programs and programs of interest to the community. Workshops, tours, school field trips, special events, seasonal festivals, and community outreach are part of the Garden's public programs. For most programs, there is no admission charge. The Garden is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to dusk on Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For information call the Garden office at (912) 871-1149 or visit the website http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/garden.

• The Georgia Southern University Museum

  Since 1982, the Georgia Southern University Museum has sought to preserve, exhibit, and interpret objects pertaining to the unique cultural heritage and natural history of this region. A world-class mosasaur specimen and Georgiacetus vogtlensis, the oldest fossil whale ever discovered in North America, are among the many exhibits about our prehistoric past. The museum also hosts a variety of contemporary exhibits and programs relevant to the University's academic departments often curated by faculty. Hands-on exhibits provide entertainment as well as education. The museum serves as a research and educational resource for faculty, staff, students, the general public, and schools in south Georgia. Opportunities exist for undergraduate and graduate student involvement in all aspects of the museum's programs. The museum is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Inquiries may be directed to the Museum at (912) 681-5444. Visit the website at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/museum.

• The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center

  The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center is a 4.5 acre nature center in the heart of campus. This facility displays 11 species of eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and vultures in natural habitat enclosures. Flighted raptor demonstrations and reptile programs are offered to the public on weekends and to scheduled groups on weekdays. The Center houses exhibits dedicated to Georgia's wildlife as well as a lecture hall and gift shop. Built through private donations but supported operationally by Georgia Southern University, the $2.3 million center introduces school children and families and university students, faculty, and staff to numerous live animals and particularly to raptors and reptiles. Georgia Southern University recently dedicated 12 more acres to the center's Phase II expansion to support programs on ornithology and water resource conservation. Inquiries may be directed to the Center for Wildlife Education at (912) 681-0831. Visit the website at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/wildlife.

• The Center for the Performing Arts

  The Center for Performing Arts is located in the Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Building. The 34,000 square foot performing arts facility houses an 850-seat performance theater and state-of-the-art performance equipment including an orchestra pit, an orchestra shell, dressing rooms, and sound and lighting systems. In addition, the Center houses a Ticket Box Office and offices for the Director of Performing Arts and technical staff. The Center's programming is planned for a diverse audience from the campus and the community. The Center provides an excellent educational experience for Georgia Southern University students participating in music and theater programs. Inquiries regarding the Performing Arts Center may be directed to the Box Office at (912) 486-7999 or the Center's Director at (912) 486-7916. Visit the website at http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/pac.