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 the Central Savannah River Area - Regional Educational Services Agency (CSRA RESA). This project provides teachers a unique site to take students for hands-on outdoor experience. Lessons address the dimensions of 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.

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.

Programs

McDuffie Environmental Education Center offers grade specific programs correlated to the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

• Pre-Kindergarten
• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade 
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade 
• Seventh Grade

Accommodations & Facilities

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. Cost of outreach programming is unknown at this time.

Reservations

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. 

Fee: $5 per student

For more information or to make a reservation, contact:

Kimberly Clements
Phone: 706-449-7521
Email: Kimberly.Clements@dnr.ga.gov

Use this calendar to see what program dates are available at the McDuffie Environmental Education Center.

Accommodations & Facilities

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. Following is a listing of other opportunities available at the McDuffie Complex.

• McDuffie Archery Range, Public Fishing Area, & Hatchery
• Boat Ramps
• Campground — 7 tent, trailer & RV site-specific campsites
• Canoe Access
• Discovery Room (hands-on, self-directed)
• Fishing Dock 
• 2 Indoor Classrooms
• Lake
• Nature Trails (2 trails)
• Outdoor Classrooms
• Picnic Shelters
• Picnic Sites
• Restrooms 
• Parking 

Activities

• Archery
• Boating
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Geocaching — not allowed during managed hunts
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Lake Fishing

Recreational Opportunities

Kids Fishing Events

The Public Fishing Area holds kids' fishing events during the fall, summer, and spring seasons to encourage youngsters under the age of 16 to participate in the sport of fishing. Two ponds stocked with channel catfish are reserved for this event. Youngsters may catch and keep up to five fish. Search for Kids Fishing Events.