Written by Jenna Arnold, Editor-in-Chief.

The second largest wetland in the state of Georgia, Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA), has been under construction for four months and has restricted access to the general public. 

Fallen trees and flooding caused by Hurricane Helene have damaged the boardwalk and prevented people from walking across the wetland and climbing the steps of the Kinder Lou tour.  

The boardwalk and Education Center have been closed for several months as construction continues. The first 500 feet of the half-mile boardwalk is being completely replaced due to the damages. The picnic pavilion and the box shelter alongside the boardwalk have already been reassembled.  

David Mixon, the Coastal Region Supervisor of Game Management, is working on ensuring that the boardwalk will be open before summer. 

  “The contractors that we have on-site been moving along nicely, but I suspect it will be another month at the least,” said Mixon. “They’ve done a lot of work in a short period. If, you know, it doesn’t flood and run them out for a while.” 

The reserve educates the relationship between plants and animals and provides information on native organisms alongside the boardwalk trial. It is in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Coastal Plains Regional Education Service Agency.  

A fishing or hunting license is required to enter the 18,000-acre reserve. It is located 24 minutes from campus and offers a boardwalk over a wetland, walking and biking trails through the woods, an education center and a canoe trail. Seasonal hunting for deer, turkey and other small game is allowed in designated areas. 

Photos by Jenna Arnold.