The Phinizy Center & Nature Park is nestled among 7,000 acres of the greater Phinzy Swamp, which covers almost all the land between Doug Barnard Parkway, Gordon Highway and the Savannah River.
For Meghan Valerio, an environmental educator at the Phinizy Center, it doesn’t even feel like Augusta.
“You drive past the city, the industrial area and the airport, and you see a big, expansive nature park that is a slice of peacefulness away from the hubbub of the city,” she said. “I can bring my dog and go for a walk. There are well-kept trails and very cool animals you can see on a daily basis. My boss likes to say we have events available for people K through gray.”
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There are ample opportunities for Augustans or visitors of all ages and walks of life to experience the sights and sounds of Phinizy Swamp.
On July 23 and 24, night-time activities are on the schedule. The first event is a full moon hike, which takes place whenever a full moon falls on a Friday or Saturday night. The guided hike is $10 and pre-registration here is required. There will be other full moon hikes later in 2021.
A moth campout takes place on July 24, spurred on by national moth week. The NMW team tracks the biodiversity of moth populations at the Phinizy Center is one location that submits data.
“It’s a great way to get everyone involved,” Valerio said. “They put out a big white sheet around midnight and put light on it. Everyone then uses identification guides to help point out different moths. This event is for anyone, children or adults.”
Experts will be present to help the participants. This event runs overnight. The cost is $5, and pre-registration is required.
In August, the park hosts multiple events geared toward children. The first is Puddle Ducks at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on August 3. This event takes place on the first Tuesday of each month and costs $10 per child. Pre-register here.
“It’s our toddler program. I have been running that and it’s very cute,” Valerio said. “We do crafts, a game, a hike and a story based on a theme. We also do an activity like sorting through compost or looking for different bugs, that sort of thing.”
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There’s a Saturday morning hike for the kids on from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 14. The cost is $2 per child. There’s a short hike and a story about an animal that’s bound to be seen on the trip, like a dragonfly or a particular wading bird.
From 8 to 11 a.m. Aug. 14, there’s a summer wading bird drive / hike. The Phinizy staff escorts participants on a hike and then drives through some of the park area where more wading birds like herons and egrets can be found.
“It is so exciting. We went out once on a Friday morning, and I saw a bird I’ve never seen before called a King Rail,” Valerio said. “They make a sound like they’re clapping, and there were a couple chicks with the mother. Very cool.”
Valerio also shared information about longer-term adult classes out at Phinizy.
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“We’ve got ornithology, or birding, class in September, as well a class on dendrology, or forest communities. They take place once a week for a number of weeks,” Valerio said. “We have lots of stay-at-home moms and military personnel come out to take those.
There are guided hikes all through the calendar and many other opportunities can be found here or by calling the Phinizy Center at (706) 828-2109.
Tyler Strong is the Business Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at tyler@theaugustapress.com.
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