Inspiring coastal stewardship in Georgia through environmental education with Dodie Sanders
Dodie Sanders
Marine Educator/Boat Captain
University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Savannah, Georgia
My passion for the ocean began with sunrises on the beach, body surfing and long walks along the wrack line as a kid. Washed up seashells, jellyfish, fish bones and more—I was both hooked and fortunate to be able to spend most of my life around salt water. That passion still exists today and it has been a wonderful life-long journey sharing it with others.
Before serving as an educator and boat captain at the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, I spent time at the Academy of Natural Sciences as an environmental research technician and at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Virginia Aquarium as an educator. All of these experiences have provided me with incredible opportunities to connect people to the natural world.
Exploring the estuary
I have lived and worked in coastal Georgia for the last 18 years. It is a unique and beautiful place to be an environmental educator. The outdoors is both my office and classroom. Leading groups of students to explore the salt marshes, hike across barrier islands and trawl for organisms are wonderful adventures, and I get to do this every week! I expect that most educators would agree that there is nothing more satisfying than taking students who have never stepped foot on a boat, never seen the ocean or sunk knee-deep in salt marsh mud out into the field and seeing them become excited, energized and engaged in science.
My focus these days involves developing hands-on learning experiences that take the results of current scientific research and make the information more accessible and understandable to the public. Working closely with scientists at the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, I take on the role of liaison between the scientists and the public, emphasizing the importance of research. Citizen science programs like oyster restoration efforts, marine debris surveys and microplastics monitoring programs have been at the forefront. They foster community awareness, knowledge and stewardship concerning environmental issues and engage participants in cutting edge research topics. Connecting citizens to science, research and current environmental concerns gives me hope that the oceans will remain an interest, a priority and a passion for future generations.
Oyster restoration efforts
Dodie Sanders and citizen scientists for the microplastics project
Dodie Sanders is a marine educator and boat captain for the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Her work focuses on providing unique learning experiences that engage participants of all ages in coastal Georgia environments and the organisms living there.
