The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is one of seven regional education centers operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The MEEC is a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the McDuffie County Board of Education, the Watson Brown Foundation, and CSRA RESA. This project provides teachers a unique site to take students for a hands-on outdoor experience. Lessons are tied to the Georgia Standards of Excellence in this diverse biologically rich area with activities available for PreK through seventh grade. The McDuffie Environmental Education Center provides students with stimulating, outdoor learning experiences about the ecology of our wildlife, water, soils, and forests and the stewardship of these important natural resources. The MEEC offers three diverse habitats, two trails, a hands-on self-directed discovery room, indoor classrooms and several outdoor classroom areas. Three certified teachers are on hand to coordinate instruction. Programming for each grade level addresses the dimensions of the New Generation Science Standards and the GA Standards of Excellence. Click on the grade level in the tool bar at the top of this page for a list of activities. Depending on fish production, a tour of the McDuffie Fish Hatchery is available to all grade levels upon request. A Kids' Fishing Event can also be provided as part of the MEEC experience. Contact the MEEC for further details.
Mission
The mission of the McDuffie Environmental Education Center is to provide instructional programming which fosters ongoing understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Georgia's natural resources.
Field Trip Information
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center is open by reservation only. While spring and fall months lend themselves more to outdoor activities, the MEEC is available for field trips throughout the school year. Three indoor classrooms are available for use in colder or wet weather. It is recommended that dates be booked well in advance in order to secure desired dates. Reservations for the following school year begins on April 1st of each year. Due to the size of the MEEC facilities and staff, on-site groups are typically limited to no more than 3 classes/groups for a total of less than 75 students per day. Larger groups are encouraged to schedule for 2 days.
Fees: $4.00 per student, with a minimum of 15 students ($60 minimum) per visit. There is no charge for adult chaperones.
Please check the calendar before requesting a date. Click on the MEEC calendar tab under scheduling a visit at the top of this page to view the MEEC calendar. Also, refer to the Teacher Registration Packet under the Scheduling a Visit tab for required forms and further reservation information.
Teacher Support
The MEEC staff strives to provide ongoing support for environmental education in the classroom through mutual sharing of information and strategies. Programs are continually reviewed and modified to meet the needs of individual groups. Teachers may contact us about teacher training, customizing the student experience, or conducting an outreach program. Outreach programming is available only as a follow-up to an onsite visit at a cost of $75 per day within a 40 mile radius of the center.
Location
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center is located at 4695 Fish Hatchery Road in Dearing, GA. This Wildlife Resources Division site, known locally as the state ponds, is the location of the McDuffie Public Fishing Area and the McDuffie Warmwater Fish Hatchery as well as the McDuffie Environmental Education Center.
Site updated August 2017
Mission
The mission of the McDuffie Environmental Education Center is to provide instructional programming which fosters ongoing understanding, appreciation, and conservation of Georgia's natural resources.
Field Trip Information
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center is open by reservation only. While spring and fall months lend themselves more to outdoor activities, the MEEC is available for field trips throughout the school year. Three indoor classrooms are available for use in colder or wet weather. It is recommended that dates be booked well in advance in order to secure desired dates. Reservations for the following school year begins on April 1st of each year. Due to the size of the MEEC facilities and staff, on-site groups are typically limited to no more than 3 classes/groups for a total of less than 75 students per day. Larger groups are encouraged to schedule for 2 days.
Fees: $4.00 per student, with a minimum of 15 students ($60 minimum) per visit. There is no charge for adult chaperones.
Please check the calendar before requesting a date. Click on the MEEC calendar tab under scheduling a visit at the top of this page to view the MEEC calendar. Also, refer to the Teacher Registration Packet under the Scheduling a Visit tab for required forms and further reservation information.
Teacher Support
The MEEC staff strives to provide ongoing support for environmental education in the classroom through mutual sharing of information and strategies. Programs are continually reviewed and modified to meet the needs of individual groups. Teachers may contact us about teacher training, customizing the student experience, or conducting an outreach program. Outreach programming is available only as a follow-up to an onsite visit at a cost of $75 per day within a 40 mile radius of the center.
Location
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center is located at 4695 Fish Hatchery Road in Dearing, GA. This Wildlife Resources Division site, known locally as the state ponds, is the location of the McDuffie Public Fishing Area and the McDuffie Warmwater Fish Hatchery as well as the McDuffie Environmental Education Center.
Site updated August 2017
