The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center strives to provide quality environmental education for visitors of all ages. The Center exists to support Georgia Southern University in its environmental education programs, as well as to provide wildlife encounters for the school children and citizens of this region. All species of native Georgia fauna are within the scope of the Center’s endeavors. The critical role of humans in the environment is the unifying theme for its programs.
History
The idea for the Center began in 1990 with the misidentification of a large bird flying over Paulson Stadium. As Georgia Southern University’s football team was about to win their fourth national championship, a television camera focused on a bird flying overhead, and the sports announcer called it a bald eagle. In fact, it was just a turkey vulture. Afterwards, Harry Mathews, a University supporter and outdoors enthusiast, decided Georgia Southern should have a bald eagle on campus. Master falconer, Steve Hein, was contacted and the search began. From the quest for a bald eagle, the Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q. Ball Jr. Raptor Center as seen today was created.
Since its opening in 1997, the Center for Wildlife Education has grown into one of the leading environmental education facilities in Georgia. The mission of the Center is to provide wildlife encounters for school children and citizens of this region, successfully measured by over 17,500 children and adults educated on-site annually. Additionally, the Center takes its programs “on the road,” presenting over 100 off-site programs annually. With the use of live animal ambassadors, program participants are educated on numerous species of wildlife native to Georgia, their habitats, and the impact humans have on the environment.
Directions & Parking
Directions to The Wildlife Center
Travel I-16 east towards Savannah. Take Exit 116 — US Highway 301 toward Statesboro. Travel approximately 10 miles. Turn right into the Georgia Southern entrance at Parrish Drive. This entrance is located directly across the street from the Super 8 Hotel. Turn right at the next stop sign onto Forest Drive. The Public Safety building will be on your right and the Center for Wildlife Education will be on the left.
Travel I-16 West toward Macon. Take Exit 127, (GA Hwy. 67) towards Statesboro. At second stoplight (approx. 10 miles) turn left onto Veteran’s Memorial Parkway (Bypass 301, 67, 25). Go through three stoplights before turning right at the fourth stoplight at the Hwy 301 intersection. Travel 0.9 miles on US Highway 301 then turn right into the Georgia Southern entrance at Parrish Drive. This entrance is located directly across the street from the Super 8 Hotel. Turn right at the next stop sign onto Forest Drive. The Public Safety building will be on your right and the Center for Wildlife Education will be on the left.
Take GA Hwy. 25 to Statesboro. Turn right at US 301 (North Main Street). Travel through town and after the stoplight at Tillman Road, turn left at the Georgia Southern entrance (Southern Drive). Turn right onto Sweetheart Circle. Take the first right off Sweetheart Circle onto Forest Drive. Proceed through the 3-way stop. The Center for Wildlife Education is just down the street on the left, across from University Public Safety.
Parking at The Wildlife Center
All buses must park at the RAC. Please do not park in visitor parking, Lot 42.
- Anyone driving a personal vehicle must park in Lot 42 Visitor Parking located next to the Center. A visitor parking pass displayed prominently on the dash, is required to avoid being ticketed. Please obtain this pass in the front lobby upon arrival at the Center.
- Georgia Southern Students are not allowed to park in visitor parking and will be ticketed.
Center Policies
- No pets allowed (this includes therapy dogs). Service animals are allowed in the Wildlife Center lobby area but not on the Raptor Walkway or on the Center grounds.
- Please do not feed our animals. Wildlife Center animals are on special diets and human food might cause health problems.
- Exhibit barriers are for your protection. Do not climb, stand on, or breach barriers or railings.
- Help us keep our animals healthy. Please do not throw anything into an animal’s exhibit.
- Please keep the Wildlife Center clean by placing all litter in the provided trash and recycling receptacles.
- No smoking is allowed on the campus of Georgia Southern University, the Wildlife Center grounds, picnic areas, or playground.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Center grounds.
- Grills and outdoor cookers are not allowed during the rental of the Wildlife Center facilities.
- Some Wildlife Center exhibits allow for the handling of animals. Please follow posted handling instructions, and do not remove animals from their exhibits.
- Possession of raptor feathers without a permit is a federal offense. Please do not remove any shed feathers from the Wildlife Center property. Doing so could constitute fines or imprisonment as outlined by the Migratory Bird Act.
- Do not run or roughhouse on the Wildlife Center walkways. Loud noises could startle the animals in their exhibits.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- For your safety and to help preserve the valuable plant and tree collection, please stay on the designated trails and walkways.
- The Wildlife Center does not participate in wildlife rehabilitation. Please do not bring injured, orphaned, or nuisance animals to the Wildlife Center. Please contact your local Georgia Department of Natural Resources office.
- The Wildlife Center may have free-roaming animals. Please do not poke at the animals, throw objects in the animal areas or harass the animals. These objects are harmful and may cause serious medical problems.
- Visitors are encouraged to take photographs for their personal use and to share their memories with family and friends.
- When there is direct contact with animals, it is very important that visitors use the provided hand sanitizer. This will help protect you and our animals from illness.