Georgia Southern University will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Waterfowl Pond this Saturday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Center for Wildlife Education, located on the Statesboro Campus at 1461 Forest Drive.

A project that began in 2009, the Center for Wildlife Education Phase II project, the Wetland Preserve, focuses on water and ornithology education. At the pond’s initial opening, native species of waterfowl were released in the pond located on the Wetland Preserve.

The pond, designed to bring man and nature closer together through the use of minimal barriers, was successful for several years. However, as nature took advantage of the situation, the pond was closed in fall 2018 for reconstruction to protect the waterfowl from predators.

“The reopening of Waterfowl Pond will be an integral part of the Wildlife Center’s educational offering in addition to serving the Georgia Southern family and local community as a respite and place to connect with the natural world around us,” said Executive Director of Center for Wildlife Education Steve Hein.

The pond is currently home to 50 ducks of different species. In the fall, an additional group of 50 birds, including ducks, herons, egrets and storks will be added to the pond.

The Wildlife Center serves K-12 students from a 33-county geographical area as well as guests from across the country.