Participants walk along the boardwalk at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.
A program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park allows Eco Explorers to become a scientist for the day and take a deep dive into the swamp – sort of.
Actually, participants put on waders for a dip into the water where they collect bugs to get a closer look at the macro invertebrates living in the swamp and learn why they are important.
They also get a primer on the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences, the non-profit that operates out of the park, as well as a tour of the Phinizy Center’s Research Lab, where they learn more about the research ongoing at the site.
Eco Explorers last two hours and is for adults only. The maximum number of participants is 15.
The next Eco Explorer events are scheduled for July 10-11. The July 10 session is already sold out; however, there is space available July 11. Go here for more information.
Kim Dillard instructs participates on how to collect samples for study at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. Participants walk along the boardwalk at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.Participants collect samples for study at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. Jen Wagner looks at a water sample taken from Butler Creek at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. Eco Explorers prepare to look at water samples at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. Participants look at samples in the lab at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.Participants look freshwater macroinvertebrates at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.Participants look freshwater macroinvertebrates at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News.The Phinizy Center for Water Sciences Research Manager Rachael Brown-Ramsey talks with participates about the importance of Savannah River water quality at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. The Phinizy Center for Water Sciences Research Manager Rachael Brown-Ramsey talks with participates about the importance of Savannah River water quality at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good News. Participants look at water samples taken at the Phinizy Center Eco Explorer program at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on June 20, 2026. Mike Adams/Augusta Good NewsClick on advertisements for more information.
Mike Adams is a veteran photographer who has won multiple South Carolina and Georgia Press Association Awards in his career including nine in 2026 for Augusta Good News. During his career, he’s photographed for several news outlets including The Augusta Chronicle and the Aiken Standard.
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