The university of georgia marine education center and aquarium will create an educational exhibit that interprets georgia's coastal sand dune ecosystem and its importance to community resilience

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. $1,191,840 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to create an educational exhibit interpreting Georgia's coastal sand dune ecosystem and its importance to community resilience.

The recipient will develop and install a permanent exhibit featuring a life-sized fabricated dune, tactile models, interpretive panels, and an interactive dune-building game. Museum staff will collaborate with two external organizations to handle content development, design, fabrication, installation, a public launch event, and exhibit evaluation. The exhibit will serve approximately 35,000 annual visitors, including school groups, families, and coastal communities that depend on healthy dune systems. Project outcomes include increased environmental literacy and improved stewardship behaviors, measured through observations, surveys, and participation in environmental actions.

Performance occurs in Athens, Georgia, with a period of performance running through August 31, 2028. This is a Project Grant, a form of assistance funding through which IMLS supports museums of all sizes in project-based efforts addressing identified strategic goals and generating measurable results tied directly to the addressed need or challenge.

The museum staff will work closely with two external organizations to implement project activities, including content development, design, fabrication, installation, a public launch event, and exhibit evaluation. The exhibit will include a life-sized fabricated dune, tactile models, interpretive panels, and an interactive dune-building game. The exhibit will benefit approximately 35,000 annual visitors including school groups, families, and coastal communities that rely on healthy dune systems. Expected project outcomes include increased environmental literacy and improved stewardship behaviors, measured through observations, surveys, and participation in related environmental actions.