Arrowhead Environmental Education Center

Arrowhead Environmental Education Center
“The Natural Resource”

Programs
To schedule a program or for more information call:
Kim Kilgore, Environmental Education Coordinator
(706) 295-6073
Directions

History
Arrowhead Environmental Education Center was formed in 1994 as a partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Floyd County Schools to educate students about the environment and wildlife of the Northwest Georgia area.

Resources
Teachers seeking information on various aspects of the natural world should contact Arrowhead. Written materials, videos, posters, and children’s nature magazines are available.

Facilities
The Nature Center houses a variety of live reptiles, amphibians and fish native to Georgia for students to view as well as a collection of mammal and bird mounts, study skins and skulls. Also housed at Arrowhead are non-releasable birds of prey for students to view and learn about their natural history. An interpretive wild-life trail is open to the public. Picnic tables and restrooms are located at the bus parking area for field trip use.

Programs Field Trips \| Outreach Programs \| Nature Center Visit \| Nature Trail Hike \| Birds of Prey Wildlife / Ecology Programs \| "Adopt An Animal" \| Fishing \| Bird watching \| Wildflower / Butterfly Gardens Educational Adventures NW GA RESA Sponsored Activities \| Teacher Workshops \| GA Schoolyard Wildlife Habitats
Field Trips Teachers should plan to schedule field trips during fair weather months (Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., March, April, and May) of each school year. it is recommended that dates be booked 3-6 months in advance in order to secure desired dates. Back to Top
	Outreach Programs Outreach programs are scheduled throughout the school year or when a field trip is cancelled due to inclement weather. These lessons may be specifically requested by teachers so as to meet QCC objectives. Outreach programs also include visits with animals adopted by classes and include lessons on their natural history. Back to Top
Nature Center Visit As a major focal point of the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center, teachers can incorporate a visit to the nature center as a part of their field trip experience. An environmental educator will present lessons on wildlife native to Georgia with the aid of both mounted and living species of wildlife. (QCC objectives covered as specifically requested) This program generally lasts 1-1.5 hours and can be adapted for all age levels. Back to Top
	Nature Trail Hike The wildlife interpretive trail is 2.2 miles long. Winding around ponds, wetlands, beaver lodges, woodlands, and wildlife openings. The visitor can view deer, turkey, birds, and even alligators!! The wetland trail hike is 1 mile and offers views of beaver dams, a beaver lodge, wetland habitat, herons, kingfishers, and more! Back to Top
Birds of Prey Students learn about life history and adaptations of hawks and owls as they get to see live raptors up close. (Offered as part of field trip or outreach programs) Back to Top
	Wildlife / Ecology Programs Learn about a variety of topics such as wildlife management, endangered species, conservation, natural history, food webs, and water quality. Specific topics or activities such as a “nature scavenger hunt” may be requested by teachers for field trips or outreach programs. Learn about the "Adopt An Animal" Program Back to Top
Fishing Students can learn basic fishing skills at Arrowhead. The lakes are currently stocked with catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and red ear sunfish. Fishing licenses are required for students 16 & over. Prize catches may be taken home in personal vehicles only. Students need to provide their own bait. Back to Top
	Bird watching Because of the diversity of habitats and number of ponds, Arrowhead is a haven for migratory birds. Students are taught the basics of birding at Arrowhead by learning to identify birds using field guides and binoculars. Back to Top
Wildflower / Butterfly Gardens Examples of various wildflower and butterfly gardens are on display as examples to schools planning schoolyard wildlife habitats. Arrowhead provides a wonderful habitat for butterfly watching and practicing identification skills. Back to Top
	Educational Adventures Teachers may request field trips to different sights throughout the state where educators from Arrowhead lead groups on overnight adventures to explore ecosystems such as the Okefenokee Swamp, Cumberland and Sapelo Islands. These trips can be specifically structured for high school students or for teachers seeking SDU’s. Day trips can also be arranged to local facilities such as Floyd College Wetlands or to state parks such as Cloudland Canyon. Local trips are offered for grades K-12. Back to Top
NW GA RESA Sponsored Activities A partnership with Northwest GA RESA makes the following services available to all member school systems. Back to Top
	Teacher Workshops Arrowhead offers teacher workshops such as nationally renowned Project WILD, Project WET, and Project LEARNING TREE. Other workshops offered are “Schoolyard Wildlife Habitats”, “Monarchs In The Classroom”, & “Native Seasons: Ga’s Flora& Fauna”. All workshops may be specifically requested by individual school faculties or will otherwise be offered throughout the year as advertised in the NW GA RESA Staff Development Brochure. Back to Top
GA Schoolyard Wildlife Habitats Assistance in creating schoolyard habitats, butterfly gardens and nature trails is available to all members of NW GA RESA. Guidance for various stages such as planning, mapping, construction and grant writing is available as well as incorporation into cross-curriculum learning. Back to Top

Directions:
From Rome (Berry College), take
US Hwy. 27 north 7.4 miles to GA Hwy 156. Turn right (east) and go 2.3 miles to Floyd Springs Rd. Turn left and go 2 miles to Arrowhead Regional DNR office.