Critter Time!
Are you a sucker for weird animal facts? Love to spend time with 4, 6, or no-legged friends? Check out these upcoming events all about the little (and maybe not-so-little) crawling, flying, and slithering critters here in Atlanta. Start planning your animal encounters at the Atlanta Science Festival, taking place March 7-21.
Biology of the Despised: Toads | March 7 1:00pm
Presented by: The Amphibian Foundation, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA)
Toads don’t have the friendliest reputation, so this year at the Amphibian Foundation’s special Atlanta Science Festival series, ‘Biology of the Despised’, we’re turning our attention to toads! Amphibian Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about the global decline of amphibians. Here in metro Atlanta, AF also works to address the urban pressures affecting our neighborhood amphibians, including toads, who are often overlooked or misunderstood. Toads may not be flashy, but they play a critical role in our ecosystems and deserve our attention and respect. Too often, they’re dismissed as pests or feared without reason. At the Foundation, we’ve made it part of our mission to help people see these bumpy creatures for what they truly are; fascinating, beneficial neighbors. Join us as we explore the incredible world of toads. You might find that what seemed like fear was actually curiosity all along.
Learn more here
12th Annual Salamander Stroll | March 8 10:00am
Presented by: The Amphibian Foundation, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
Come on out to Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur and witness wildlife with the Research faculty and staff from Amphibian Foundation. Become ‘community scientists’ and perform an amphibian ‘bioblitz’ inventory of the preserve documenting salamanders and frogs in one of the greatest strongholds for amphibians inside of the perimeter! Everyone and their families are encouraged to attend and bring your cell phones to upload images of what we find to iNaturalist.
Learn more here
Ask the Expert: Bat-tastic Neighbors: Myths, Marvels, and How to Help Georgia’s Bats | March 11 12:00pm
Presented by: Trees Atlanta, Georgia Bat Working Group
Did you know Atlanta’s trees, not caves, are home to many of Georgia’s native bats? 🦇 Sadly, several of these adorable “sky puppies” are now endangered. Just imagine our summer nights without their help keeping mosquitoes in check! Grab your laptop and join local experts online via Zoom for a fun and fascinating panel where you’ll uncover the surprising superpowers of bats and find out how we can all lend a wing to help them thrive. 🦇
Learn more here
Fishing for Freshwater Friends | March 14 9:00am
Presented by: Georgia Aquarium, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Discover the underwater world of Georgia’s lakes and rivers! Georgia Aquarium and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are teaming up to introduce you to the aquatic creatures that call our waterways home. This event will allow you to discover fishing and learn how to protect these vital ecosystems. A perfect drop in event for the budding biologist!
Learn more here
Animals in Motion: Biomechanics Day at Zoo Atlanta | March 14 10:00am
Presented by: Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Tech
Ever wonder how orangutans swing, or how an elephant trunk works? Join us at Zoo Atlanta to celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth and the incredible ways they move. With help from biomechanics experts at Georgia Tech and other major US universities, you’ll get to participate in live demonstrations and presentations sure to generate excitement about biomechanics and applications in bio-inspired design. No matter your age, you’ll walk away engaged and inspired to learn more about yourself and the natural world.
Learn more here
Bugs Bonanza | March 14 Varying times
Presented by: Fernbank Museum
Discover and explore the miniature world of six-legged creatures. In the field of entomology, every bug has a story to tell and each one is more exciting than the last. Join us and witness these tiny bugs teach us big lessons about life.
Learn more here
Tiny Monsters of Sibley Pond | March 14 and 15 11:00am
Presented by: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
Join the National Park Service staff for a tiny monster hunt! Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of strange, weird, and amazing creatures that live in Sibley Pond. Search through leaf litter, dig through detritus, collect critters and more! This is a hands on, get your fingers dirty field investigation. What tiny monsters will you find lurking in Sibley Pond? Do you dare discover?
Learn more here
Georgia Native Bats & Plants (& Brews) Saturday Sunset Stroll | March 14 7:00pm
Presented by: Trees Atlanta, Georgia Bat Working Group
What’s that – a bat! Join Trees Atlanta, Georgia Bat Working Group, and Atlanta Science Festival on a sunset stroll through Trees Atlanta’s campus and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Southwest Trail. We’ll see some of the native plants that have been incorporated Georgia native bats & check out some of the native plants and practices we can incorporate into our yards or neighborhood green spaces to help these sometimes misunderstood, mosquito-eating, sky puppies continue to survive & thrive in the City in the Forest. The Georgia Bat Working Group will have an acoustic bat detector to see if bats decide to join us. At the end of the tour, feel free to continue to stroll down the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail and enjoy one of Lee & Whites’ local breweries or restaurants.
Learn more here
Habitat Exploration At Blue Heron Nature Preserve! | March 15 10:00am
Presented by: Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Discover the incredible animals that call Blue Heron Nature Preserve home as we explore its 30-acre landscape on a guided nature hike. Along the way, you’ll get a hands-on look at unique animal coverings including shells, fur, scales, and feathers, from species that live in the area! Come join us for an adventure filled with exploration, learning, and a closer look at the wildlife around us! Please meet us on the front porch of our building.
Learn more here
Not Just Newts: Behind the Scenes with the Amphibian Foundation | March 15 11:00am
Presented by: The Amphibian Foundation
Decatur is home to a unique nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and research of amphibians amidst a global population decline. In 2016, the Amphibian Foundation formed to focus on conserving some of Georgia’s most imperiled species (Flatwoods Salamander, Gopher Frog, and Striped Newt). Since then AF has begun working on other native and globally endangered amphibians. Closed to the public, this is a chance to see the collections and meet Foundation staff working hard to save these vital and sensitive animals from extinction.
Learn more here
Red Wiggler Wrangling – DIY Worm Farming | March 15 1:00pm
Presented by: Science for Georgia
Ready to befriend some of Earth’s most hardworking (and surprisingly adorable) little recyclers? Join us for a hands-on worm-farming adventure! RSVP to snag one of only 30 worm-farm kits (one per family/group) during this combo mini-lecture and interactive workshop.
Worm farming, also known as vermiculture, uses special composting worms that can turn kitchen scraps into rich, garden-ready nutrients up to three times faster than a traditional compost pile, all with less effort. We’ll be spotlighting our superstar species, the humble Red Wiggler: resilient, low-maintenance, and perfectly content living quietly indoors or outside.
Learn more here
Critter Quest: Helping Science Discover Your Backyard Critters | March 15 2:00pm
Presented by: Atlanta Urban Wildlife Working Group, Trees Atlanta, The Amphibian Foundation, Birds Georgia, Fernbank Museum, University of Georgia, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Tech, The Nature Conservancy
Ever wondered what critters live in your backyard? Interested in helping scientists know more about where those critters live? We’ve got just the event for you! At our Community Science Training event, you’ll learn about organizations studying wildlife in Atlanta and how you can help through Community Science. Join scientists as we show you the ins and outs of how we study wildlife and how you can too. These trainings will include birds, amphibians, and mammals! The first hour will showcase various community science organizations, including information on how you can get involved with their efforts to study wildlife and their habitat in and around Atlanta. The second and third hours are wildlife training activities where you go into the field with local experts to learn how to identify different groups of animals (e.g., birds, reptiles, mammals). You will be able to attend two different training activities, however please plan to arrive at either 2:45 p.m. or 3:45 p.m. in order to partake in these activities.
Learn more here
Spectacular Snakes | March 19 9:30am
Presented by: Zoo Atlanta
Calling all Adventure Cubs, ages 0-5, and their favorite grownups for a morning of exploration, learning and fun!
Explorers will learn about Spectacular Snakes through a game, craft, story, and singalong before visiting snake habitats at Zoo Atlanta to make observations and draw connections to the lesson. This is a great opportunity to make friends and spend time with your little explorers as they discover new skills and learn about wildlife.
Learn more here
Exploration Expo | March 21 10:00am
Presented by: Science ATL
Come on out to the unmissable conclusion of the 2026 Atlanta Science Festival! Hundreds of hands-on science activities at our city’s biggest science party. And, it’s free!
Learn more here
