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Category: news homepage

Learning in the Marsh

ionah on June 12, 2025

Photos: Left – Maymester students on the Teal boardwalk. Right - Clay plankton sculptures

The UGAMI Maymester class has been out and about this last week studying the “Life and Death of the Salt Marsh” with Dr Carrie Pucko from the Plant Biology Department at UGA. Students are exploring the different habitats on Sapelo Island, learning about ongoing research projects, and working with UGAMI staff aboard the R/V Spartina to identify fish in the Duplin River. They are even getting a chance to apply their artistic skills to help communicate science: Plankton samples collected during the trawl were used as inspiration for creating clay sculptures under the watchful eye of artist Jennifer Heynen.

House boats!

ionah on April 30, 2025

Half of a pre-fabricated cottage loaded on the back of a tractor trailer that is all on a barge with a small section of dock visible in the lower left-hand corner

UGAMI is in the process of installing two new 4-bedroom cottages. These are modular units that are climate resilient and energy efficient. They were built in a facility in southwest GA, and then began their journey to Sapelo Island. Each cottage was constructed as two halves so that they could be transported on a tractor-trailer. Once they reached Meridian the trailers were loaded onto the barge and then brought over to the main dock at Marsh Landing. These were heavy loads for the barge, and so they had to be timed for spring high tide. We also worked with DNR to clear the vehicles from the parking lot. In the end we had 4 successful trips and the half-cottages are now at UGAMI awaiting installation in Magnolia Circle. We are hoping that they will be ready for occupancy in early summer.

Sailing Away

ionah on March 21, 2025

The R/V Spartina (a 44-ft Thompson Trawler) just came back from the shipyard with a new winch and cable. We also modified the rigging so that it can be trawled from the stern, which will make it easier to handle. The vessel is used for both research and education.

A man stands on the stern deck of a ship beneath the winch mechanism and nets. The water is still and the marsh grasses beyond are brown. The sun provides backlighting for the whole scene.
Captain Ike Sellers on the deck of the Spartina.

Staff positions at UGAMI

ionah on February 21, 2025

UGAMI is currently seeking a Program Coordinator to coordinate all aspects of the visitor experience, from booking reservations to facilitating visits to supporting education and outreach. The position requires irregular hours and residency on Sapelo Island (housing is available). Applications are due March 21, with a start date of June 1, 2025.

 

UGAMI also has openings for both a Lead Building Services Worker and a Temporary Building Services Worker.

In Reserve

ionah on February 14, 2025

Our very own Jacob Shalack, who was formerly the lead GCE-LTER technician, received the Patriot Award from the Georgia Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) committee. The award is given in recognition of a supervisor who provides support for a service member. Jacob was nominated for the award by Brendan Manley, who worked as a GCE technician from 2017 to 2020 while also serving in the Air National Guard Reserves. UGAMI was also recognized for accommodating Brendan’s leave so that he could participate in training and other duties as required. Brendan is now back in the Air Force working as a meteorologist, and Jacob is now part of the facilities team in the UGA Office of Research. See the post on UGA Today for the full story.

Four people stand abreast facing the camera and smiling. One is holding a certificate. There is a close up of the certificate in the lower righthand corner.

2025 GCE Summer Internships

ionah on February 10, 2025

Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Logo

The Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long Term Ecological Program (GCE LTER) is looking for undergraduate interns for summer 2025! Some opportunities are limited to students who have not yet graduated. All positions will receive either a stipend, see the GCE website for details. Most internships last ~8 weeks between May and August. However, start and end dates are flexible based on the schedule of the intern and supervisor. Please read the position descriptions carefully as some positions have different requirements, dates, and/or locations.

Link to the online application

The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM EDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025. For more information on these opportunities, please contact Io Hennessy at io.hennessy@uga.edu.

Snow Days!

ionah on February 4, 2025

Two photos; on the left, UGAMI courtyard covered in a soft blanket of snow, taken by Renee Price. On the right, a tree with broken limbs in front of a house, taken by Gracie Townsend.

The southeastern US was hit by a historic snowstorm on Jan 21, 2025, and we had snow on Sapelo Island for the first time in almost 40 years (since 1986). The Island lost power, with some areas out for several days, and UGAMI was closed from Jan 21-24. When the ice cleared there were limbs down throughout campus, but things are all picked up thanks to our facilities crew.

Apartments – Phase I complete!

ionah on November 18, 2024

Images of the Apartments renovations. Clockwise from top left - the outside of the Apartments, the kitchen area featuring a sink, fridge, and table and chairs, a bedroom showing a mirror and sink and bookshelf, the laundry room with a washer and dryer, a bedroom with two twin beds and a window, the kitchen featuring a stove and countertops, a communal space with a fireplace and armchairs.

We have been working hard over the past year to renovate the South End Apartment building on the main quad of the UGAMI campus. The renovations were necessary to address structural deterioration and required replacing the flooring system. Phase I renovations were focused on what was formerly Apartments 1&2. Although the outside of the building hasn’t changed – there is still a cozy screened in porch in the entryway and the fireplace is intact – it no longer leads into two apartments, but rather one large space with modernized bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room. Phase II renovations, which will be in what is currently Apartments 3&4, are scheduled to start this month. We are really excited to have the new space!

In Sympathy

ionah on October 21, 2024

The Sapelo Island ferry is using the smaller, side dock now that the ramp is gone

The Sapelo Island ferry is using the smaller, side dock now that the ramp is gone

The UGA Marine Institute is deeply saddened by the tragic collapse of the ramp at the Sapelo Island ferry this past weekend. Our hearts go out to all.