From Sapelo to Spokane (and back)

ionah on June 20, 2025

Four students on the beach looking at and taking notes on a shrimp held by one of the students
Nannygoat Beach, Sapelo Island, GA
Four students walking though the tide in front of a pile of rocks on the beach with breaking surf in the background
Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Since 1988, students participating in the UGA Interdisciplinary Field Program (IFP) have been making an 8-week trip from coast to coast while taking courses in geology, anthropology and ecology. The UGA Marine Institute on Sapelo Island is the first stop on this 12,000-mile excursion, and is the only time that the students sleep in dorm rooms instead of camping out. The students spend their time on Sapelo in IFP “boot camp” of introductory lectures, labs, and field excursions. According to IFP Director Julia Cox, “The UGAMI facilities and environmental setting are everything we need to build a strong program foundation in IFP students before we start our epic road trip across the country.” For more information on the Interdisciplinary Field Program see https://uga-ifp.org