Newman Wetlands Center

08/28/2026

Wetlands are economically important across the globe, but especially in the Caribbean Islands, where wetlands are also seamoss farms.

08/26/2026

Wild Nest Bird Rehab released a Stilt Sandpiper at our E.L. Huie Jr. Holding Ponds on Saturday. WNBR is run by volunteers. They rehabilitate orphaned and injured birds with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Sending this lil shorebird all the well wishes on his journey south to Central or South America.

08/25/2026

We're taking it back to one of our favorite wildlife moments caught on camera. Enjoy these three river otters exploring Clayton County Water's constructed treatment wetlands. Otters are familial and social, so they are often seen playing or foraging in groups. You can see from this clip that they have no regard for one's personal space!

08/21/2026

There are still some spots available. Register today: https://claytoncountywaterauthority.wufoo.com/forms/s1ycewok1965bhl/

Have you ever wanted to learn to kayak, or are you hoping to practice your paddling skills? Now's your chance! Join our Conservation staff at J.W. Smith Reservoir on Sept. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. for an introduction to flatwater kayaking. We'll teach you safety skills, how to enter and exit the kayak, how to paddle, and more. Spaces are limited, so check your calendars and then register here:

https://claytoncountywaterauthority.wufoo.com/forms/s1ycewok1965bhl/

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

Our swamp milkweed is in bloom! Swamp milkweed is a species of concern in Georgia. The foliage provides a food source for monarch caterpillars, and the flowers feed numerous other nectar-loving insects. While we haven't seen any monarch eggs yet, we have seen numerous pollinators enjoying the flowers. We would love to see your photos of insects on the swamp milkweed in the comments!

08/14/2026

What is your favorite dragonfly species? Our team recently documented the first-ever confirmed sighting of a striped saddlebags in Georgia! In honor of this state record, we're celebrating dragonflies and their contributions to healthy ecosystems! Here are some fun facts:

1. Dragonflies are expert predators. They successfully catch insects on the wing around 90 - 95% of the time. That means they are reducing populations of biting insects! They use their strong jaws to subdue their prey; however, they bite humans only when they are roughly handled.

2. Dragonfly eyes consist of up to 30,000 ommatidia, or tiny lenses that point in different directions. This gives them a nearly 360-degree field of vision.

3. Dragonflies have four wings that they can manipulate independently of each other. This makes them the most skilled and fastest fliers in the insect world. Engineers are still trying to understand and replicate this!

4. Dragonflies evolved roughly 300 million years ago. In prehistoric times, giant griffinflies had wingspans that reached 27 inches!

5. Dragonflies lay their eggs in water, where their larvae or nymphs can live for a season or years. They are fierce predators as nymphs too, with jaws that spring out to grab their prey. The adult breaks through the nymph's exoskeleton and leaves behind an exuvia or empty shell.

Enjoy some photos that illustrate the dragonfly life cycle, along with images of additional species found in Clayton County, GA.

08/13/2026

Have you ever wanted to learn to kayak, or are you hoping to practice your paddling skills? Now's your chance! Join our Conservation staff at J.W. Smith Reservoir on Sept. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. for an introduction to flatwater kayaking. We'll teach you safety skills, how to enter and exit the kayak, how to paddle, and more. Spaces are limited, so check your calendars and then register here:

https://claytoncountywaterauthority.wufoo.com/forms/s1ycewok1965bhl/

08/12/2026

Join the UGA Extension at Reynold's Nature Preserve on August 22 at 9, 10, or 11 a.m. for the Clayton County Pollinator Census!

Join the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and get credit for participating in EEA’s August CoOL Schoolyard Challenge!

Here’s how:
Practice and prepare for the count days, which will be August 21st and 22nd, 2026

Download the printable Counting Sheet and Insect Identification Guide here: https://gsepc.org/resources/

Check out “The Pollinator Census for Educators and Non-Profits” for bee bingo cards and fun activities:
https://youtu.be/QFmmuH_tH3M

Then upload your counts to this webpage: https://gsepc.org/count/ The portal will open early on August 21st