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Category: Friends

Building New Bridges at UGAMI

kfmcnair on December 3, 2019

Dear Friend,

We recently received a note from Dr. Benjamin Ehlers, Director of the Franklin Residential College at UGA, who said:

“We had a great trip: Sapelo encompassed everything we are striving for at FRC, in terms of academic rigor, contributing to the community through service events, and building community among our residents.”

We couldn’t agree more—Sapelo is a magical place, and the opportunities for researchers and students to work and learn about coastal ecosystems just keep coming. This past October we had researchers from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, classes from both UGA’s Entomology and Geography depts., a class from Middle Georgia State Univ., and a volunteer group from the Georgia Conservancy–not to mention the annual fall monitoring effort of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Research Program—all during the same week! We continue to renovate the campus, with plans to add visitor offices to the library wing this coming year, and we are launching a new semester-long residential education program in January.

We’re writing now to ask you to join us so we can continue to provide exceptional opportunities for research and education. Your tax-deductible donation will be used for a host of programs and activities, ranging from supporting summer internships to renovating the turkey fountain to subsidizing housing costs for graduate students. This year we are also hoping to raise enough money to build new bridges over the alligator pond (which had to be closed when one of the pylons failed—luckily everyone was o.k.!).

Your contribution will make you a member of the “Friends of UGAMI”, a group that supports the Institute and helps with special projects such as restoration of the Teal Boardwalk. Donations can be made on-line, or via a check made out to “UGA Foundation”, with “Friends of UGAMI” in the byline, and sent to Friends of UGAMI, Marine Sciences Building, 325 Sanford Drive, Athens, GA 30602. We thank you for your consideration.

With deep appreciation,

Merryl Alber
Director, UGA Marine Institute

Beth Richardson
President, Friends of UGAMI

Roseate Spoonbill at the Alligator Pond; Photo by Cas Bradley

The water garden that sits behind the Marine Institute provides habitat for birds as well as fish, alligators and other wildlife, and is a popular destination for visitors.  A group of roseate spoonbills made the alligator pond their home for almost a month this past spring along with the usual snowy egrets. Unfortunately, the wooden pilings that support the two bridges that span the pond have decayed over the years and the walkway is now closed. We are hoping to raise money to replace them.

Undergraduate Summer Internship

on March 14, 2018

With your generous donations we fund an undergraduate summer internship position. This award provides financial support to an undergraduate student interested in working on a research project at UGAMI. All undergraduate students living in the US are welcome to apply for this internship.

If you’re interested in the Undergraduate Summer Internship Program please contact the Marine Institute director Dr. Merryl Alber (ugamidir@uga.edu) for more information.

Join the Friends

on March 14, 2018

Join the Friends of UGAMI today! 

Please consider joining us at the level of $50, $100, $250 or higher. Student membership is $25.00. You can make your payment online by visiting our secure link to the Friends of the Marine Institute Fund.

Join on-line or mail your check to: Friends of the Marine Institute, Marine Programs, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

For more information on the Friends please contact Beth Richardson at 706.542.4080.

Thank you for your support and generosity!

History

on March 14, 2018

Through the generosity of Richard J. Reynolds, the UGA Marine Institute on Sapelo Island was established in 1953. Reynolds’ former dairy complex on Sapelo’s south end was converted for use as a marine research laboratory.

The research conducted on Sapelo Island has had a major impact on a variety of coastal topics at the national and international level. In the 1950s and 1960s researchers including Eugene Odum (the father of modern ecosystems ecology), John Teal, Larry Pomeroy, Donald C. Scott, A.E. Smalley, John Hoyt, Theodore Starr, Orrin Pilkey and James Howard began their brilliant careers in the salt marshes, barrier beaches and estuarine environments of Sapelo Island. Oversight of this dynamic development of research on Sapelo was vested with Robert Ragotzkie, George H. Lauff and Vernon Henry.

Many people from all over the world have come to this pristine environment for research and educational purposes. Over 1000 peer-reviewed papers have been published from this world-class facility. And for over 60 years the Institute has provided a unique natural classroom for students from colleges and universities around the country.

In 2013 the Office of Research at UGA began supporting UGAMI. These are exciting times. Help insure the future for this historic and world renown research facility by joining the Friends – we all share a heartfelt “love of place.”

Our Project List

on March 14, 2018

  1. Repair the Sears House – we’re working on it!
  2. Restore the Turkey Fountain – in 2018!
  3. Repair the Teal Boardwalk. Done! It survived 2 hurricanes!
  4. The Greenhouse Project – Join the “Be a Pane” Campaign – restoration of Howard Coffin’s 1925 Wm. H. Lutton designed greenhouse.
  5. Save the old dorm.
  6. Create displays in the new visitor’s museum.
  7. Fund a graduate student research award.
  8. Fund an undergraduate summer internship.

Graduate Student Research Awards

on March 14, 2018

2018 Guidelines for Application
Printer friendly version (PDF)

Friends of the UGA Marine Institute Graduate Research Award

We welcome your application to the Friends of the Marine Institute Graduate Research Award. You must be currently enrolled in graduate studies at a college or university and conducting or planning to conduct your research at the University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island.

All applications must be submitted in electronic format (Word document or Adobe PDF) according to the process outlined below.

Note: the deadline for submission is 5:00 pm EST on November 16,2018. All applications submitted after that time and date will not be considered for funding. Please email your submission to Beth Richardson. Notification will be sent by January 4, 2019.

Please read all instructions carefully and provide all the information requested.

Application – instructions and required information:

1. Please write a one-page letter stating how a $1000 graduate student grant from the Friends of UGAMI will help you accomplish your research. Include a budget describing how you plan to spend the funds (for supplies, meeting expenses, etc).

2. In standard abstract format, write a two-page overview of your research that clearly states your goals and objectives. On page one, before you begin the overview of your research project, please state:

  • The title of your research topic
  • Your name and your major professor’s name
  • Department and university address
  • Phone number and email address

3. Use a 12-point font and Word format. Files can be sent as either .doc or .pdf.

4. Illustrations and photographs are not required but may be included within the twopage abstract. List references sited at the bottom of page two.

5. Include a letter of support from your major professor/advisor at the same time you submit your application.

6. A total of 4 pages must be submitted – your cover letter, your two-page abstract and a letter of support from your major professor/advisor.

Thank you for applying! If you have any questions please contact:
Beth Richardson – by email or phone 706-542-4080.