Visitor Information

Experience an educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, put participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal Waterway,… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to bring your camera and… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography

Experience an educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, put participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal Waterway,… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

Enjoy stories of how Christmas was celebrated at the Yawkey Wildlife Center throughout history, from plantation traditions to Christmas with the Yawkey’s and their staff. Stops will include wildlife and historic sites, and of course some Christmas magic! This trip requires little walking, put participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon… Continue reading Christmas at Yawkey

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats for wildlife, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography

Experience the beauty of one of the most endangered ecosystems, the longleaf pine forest. Learnthe historic use of longleaf, as well as their ecological characteristics, importance, and present-day management. Program will include an extensive but leisurely hike through the forest and a visit to remains of a former sawmill on Cat Island. Participants should be… Continue reading Longleaf Forest Walk

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats for wildlife, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography

When the precursor to today’s Intracoastal Waterway was under construction, there was a bustle of activity in Smithville - from houses, to logging and sawmill operations, and a loading dock.Explore this area today and see the evidence of these activities and the people who lived and worked here on Cat Island. This trip will require… Continue reading Exploring Smithville: Building the Canal

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats for wildlife, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography

Explore portions of Cat Island’s forest and brackish marshes on this walking tour. In addition to beautiful scenery, you will learn about the management of these ecosystems and the plants and animals that thrive in these two very different environments. Program will include a leisurely hike through the forest and along the dikes of Cat… Continue reading From Forest to Marsh Walk

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats for wildlife, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography

Learn about the history and cultural influences of Carolina Gold rice and its cultivation in Georgetown County and the land that is now the Yawkey Wildlife Center. Visit former rice plantations, including the Belle Isle rice chimney, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We will explore topics including the techniques of cultivating and… Continue reading Carolina Rice Culture

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

During this tour, we invite artists to paint en plein air the history and beauty of the Yawkey Wildlife Center. Visit the exact location where legendary American artist Andrew Wyeth painted on Cat Island in the 1930s. Artists need to provide their own supplies and equipment and be able to navigate 2 floating docks and… Continue reading Plein Air Painting

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

Experience a guided educational field trip around the 24,000 acre Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, learning about the history and ecology of the islands, as well as the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey. This trip requires little walking, but participants will need to navigate 2 floating docks and a pontoon boat to cross the Intracoastal… Continue reading Introductory Bus Tour

The Yawkey Wildlife Center is an important habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as other wildlife! This trip will visit various habitats for wildlife, including brackish marshes, managed wetlands, and longleaf pine forests. Locations will vary due to the time of year and which birds are in residence. Make sure to… Continue reading Birding and Wildlife Photography