The Georgia Coast, where the land of the state of Georgia meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a wonder to explore. Daily changes in the tides expose large beaches at low tide and flow into the marsh grass or dunes at high tide. This constantly changing salt water level creates a rich habitat for plants and animals living along the shoreline. You can choose to work on the Beach or Marsh section of this badge.

Georgia's Beach

Visit one of Georgia's many beaches. As you enter the beach area, read the signs listing the rules protecting the beach and the sand dunes. Walk along the beach and look for signs of wildlife. Watch the water carefully. You may see a dolphin rising in and out of the water!!

Complete six of the questions on a separate piece of paper.

1. Is the beach sand soft or hard?

2. Can you see the line where the tide is the highest?

3. How can you tell where the high tide ends?

4. Do you see sand dunes with sea oats growing in clumps? Explain why it is important not to pick the oats or disturb the sand dunes.

5. Look for tide pools. Look for signs of life in the tide pools. What did you find?

6. Search the shore for EMPTY shells. What is a shell?

7. Collect some EMPTY shells. If there are animals living in the shell, it is important to put them back into the sea. The State of Georgia has laws to protect all living sea animals. DO NOT PICK UP JELLY FISH OR ANY CREATURE YOUR LEADERS FINDS TO BE QUESTIONABLE. Why should you not pick up unknown animals?

8. Look up the shells in a shell field guide and try to identify the animal that grew that shell as a home. How did the creature in the shell feed and what did it eat?

9. How did the animal in the shell protect itself?

10. Look along the water line as the waves lap along the sand. Count the kinds of birds that you see. How many different kinds are there?

11. Watch as the birds on the beach find things to eat. What are they eating?

12. Watch the birds over or in the water find things to eat. What are they eating?

13. Mark the plants or animals on the attached sheet that you say on your trip on the beach.

Georgia Marsh

Complete six of the questions, including the starred one.

1. *Visit a Georgia marsh. How is a marsh different from a beach?

2. Periwinkles, crabs, marsh wrens, clapper rails, great blue herons, osprey, raccoons, deer, and marsh rats all find food in the marsh. Choose one of these animals and tell what it eats, how it gets its food, and where near the marsh it lives.

3. Look carefully in the marsh between the clumps of cordgrass. Can you find the fiddler crabs as they scurry around?

4. How do the crabs move?

5. Where do the crabs go when they disappear?

6. Do the crabs have one claw that is bigger that the other?

7. What other signs for life do you see in the cordgrass?

8. Make a list of delicious foods we eat that are found along the Georgia Coast. Think of a favorite recipe or dish that is popular in the Low Country.

9. Mark the plants or animals, listed on the attached sheet, that you saw on your trip to the marsh.

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JUNIOR LEVEL

The Georgia Coast, where the land of the state of Georgia meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a wonder to explore. Daily changes in the tides expose large beaches at low tide and flow into the marsh grass or dunes at high tide. This constantly changing salt water level creates a rich habitat for plants and animals living along the shoreline. This patch program will help you explore and learn about the Georgia coast.

Complete five of the following questions, including the starred items.

To assist in your research, write to: Savannah Coastal Refuges, 1000 Business Center Dr., Suite 10, Savannah, Georgia 31405

1.*Get a map of Georgia and find the sixteen barrier islands that form a gentle arc along the coast of our state. These islands are important in protecting the mainland of Georgia. What is meant by barrier island? Why does the State of Georgia have laws protecting them?

2. Name three barrier islands that are developed into residential area. Name three that are designated as Coastal Refuges. Name three that can be visited only by boat. What plants and trees grow in barrier islands?

3. *Salt marshes are found all along the coast of Georgia. These are feeding stations for both animals and marine life. Define the following works.

Salt marsh, Beaches, Hammock, Tidal Pool, Sand Dunes, Marine Animals, Sea Oats, Brackish Water.

4. Make a list of five fish-eating birds that feed along the coast and describe one. Find the difference between a heron and an egret.

5. Visit a Georgia beach, salt marsh, or barrier island. List what marine life you find and tell how it interacts with the ecology or the food chain of the area.

6. Research tides and moon phases. How do the tides and the phases of the moon interact? How does this affect the loggerhead turtles nesting along the Georgia coast?

7. Find out the name of two organizations dedicated to preserving Georgia's marshes and beaches. Participate in one activity the group sponsors and write a brief description.

To purchase badges please contact the shop at 888-223-3883

CADETTE/SENIOR LEVEL

The Georgia Coast, where the land of the state of Georgia meets the Atlantic Ocean, is a wonder to explore. Daily changes in the tides expose large beaches at low tide and flow into the marsh grass or dunes at high tide. This constantly changing salt water level creates a rich habitat for plants and animals living along the shoreline. This patch program will help you explore and learn about the Georgia coast.

Complete six of the ten questions, including the starred items, on a separate piece of paper.

1.*Write to the Savannah Coastal Refuges and request the information folder for the Southeast Region Refuges at 1000 Business Center Drive, Suite 10, Savannah, GA 31405 or call at (912)652-4415.

2.*Find the meaning of the following terms and tell how each relates to the Georgia coast estuary, salt marsh, barrier island, low country, beaches, wildlife refuges, rookery, tidal chart, and marine animals.

3. A chain of sixteen barrier islands form a necklace along the gently arc of the Georgia coastline. List these islands and tell which are Coastal Refuges. Tell why these islands are important to Georgia and how they protect the coastline.

4. Discuss the five general regulations pertaining to the refuges. Each girl should study and report on one of the refuges and explain why these refuges are necessary to preserve the islands.

5. Study which of the endangered turtles uses the Georgia shore to lay its eggs. When do they lay their eggs and how many do they lay? How long does it take for the eggs to hatch? How is this event tied to the full moon and high tide? Why are landowners on the shore asked to turn the lights out at night while the turtle eggs are hatching?

6. Name five shore birds that migrate through this island area. Compare their beaks and see how the birds are suited for seaside foraging.

7. Clean Coast is a non-profit organization of concerned individuals who come together to combat Georgia's coastal trash problem. Learn about their activities. How can you help keep the coast clean?

8. *Visit a local salt marsh. Find two of the following plants in the marsh: spartina, glasswort, detritus, smooth cordgrass, or sea oxeye. Find a periwinkle on the stalk of one of the grasses. Observe the fiddler crabs scurrying on the muddy marsh. What animals find food in the marsh?

9. Visit a coastal beach. Read the posted rules of the beach. Observe the high tide lines. Why are the dunes and sea oats important to the shore and why must they be protected?

10. Find a recipe for a Low Country Boil, Oyster Stew, or Brunswick Stew and tell why these dishes are popular in the Low Country. Make one of these recipes for your troop, group, or family.

To purchase badges please contact the shop at 888-223-3883