| General Info | ||
 Watch birds of prey up close, explore live reptile and amphibian exhibits, or walk the boardwalk through wetland habitats at the Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center.
Spread across 18 acres on Georgia Southern University's Statesboro campus, get ready to take a walk on the wild side! The Center features: a Wetland Preserve with a small pond and capture basin that houses a beaver lodge, a cypress pond home to wading birds like herons and egrets, and a waterfowl pond. Numerous resident species of birds of prey including eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, kestrels, vultures and more! Exhibits of reptiles and amphibians such as alligators, turtles, tortoises, and a variety of native and non-native snakes. Weekday visitors can catch a themed 30-minute wildlife program each afternoon in the Lecture Hall, and guided one-hour walking tours are available by advance reservation for groups of up to 25. The grounds also include a covered Pavilion and picnic shelter available to rent for programs and events. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (3-11), active military & senior citizens, and free for children under 3 and for Georgia Southern faculty, staff and students with ID. For more information, please call 912-478-0831. |
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| Guided Tours | ||
| One-hour guided walking tours of the Center are available for groups of up to 25 people and must be booked in advance. Tours take visitors through the habitat exhibits, wetland boardwalk and raptor enclosures with a staff naturalist, and cost $10 per person. To schedule a tour, call the Center at 912-478-0831. | ||
| Weekday Programs - 9 am - 4:45 pm | ||
| A 30-minute wildlife program is held in Center's Lecture Hall each weekday beginning at 3:30 pm. Monday - Wonders of the Wetland - Meet the wildlife that calls the Center's wetland habitats home. Tuesday - Wild Georgia - Get to know native Georgia species you might find right in your own backyard. Wednesday - Birds of Prey - Learn about the raptors that call the Center home and the role they play in Georgia's ecosystems. Thursday - Mythbusters - Separate fact from fiction about some of Georgia's most misunderstood animals. Friday - Around the World - Meet non-native and exotic animals from beyond Georgia. For more information on the daily themed programs please contact the Center at 912-478-0831. Additional Info: The Center is currently closed Saturdays and Sundays; call ahead to confirm hours before visiting. |
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| On-site Programs | ||
| Outreach Programs - The Center brings live birds of prey and reptiles to schools and groups throughout the region, including wildlife presentations, animal booth displays, and a raptor flight demonstration (available outside of June-August). Pricing and travel fees vary by program; call to book. Gift Shop - Center for Wildlife Education merchandise, including items honoring Freedom the bald eagle, is available through Southern Exchange in Statesboro. Proceeds support the Center. Pavilion & Picnic Shelter - The Center's covered pavilion (seats up to about 82) and picnic shelter (about 80) are available to rent for group lunches, educational programs and events. A Wildlife Center staff member must be present during the rental, and reservations must be made in advance. |
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| Amenities and Hours | ||
| Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired and party facilities. Open Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4:45 pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. | ||
| Phone, Address & Website | ||
| Phone: 912-478-0831 - Address: 1461 Forest Drive, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30460 - Located on Georgia Southern University’s campus and directly off Hwy. 301 - Center for Wildlife Education and the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center Website | ||
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