Course Description: Participants will learn about the geomorphology of Amelia Island. Geomorphology is the study of the shape of landforms and the processes that shape them. Learn why there is a deep-water port and a creek running up the center of the island and about the interaction of man-made and natural processes and how they affect our island. We will discuss hurricanes and Nor’easters and the effects of beach nourishment. Each of the major landforms will be discussed, from the beach system, the uplands, forest stands, developed areas, the creeks, wetlands, and salt marsh. The course will include field trips to examine some of the important features that make our island.

Instructor: Robert Prager has thoroughly enjoyed his career as an engineer and scientist practicing in water resources and applied geomorphology for nearly half a century. Throughout his career he has worked at the human-nature interface. Much of his success arises from striving to understand and work with nature. He is a subject-matter expert for the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects. Robert served as a technical analyst for restoration of flood protection for post-Katrina New Orleans to Galveston and post-Sandy, New Jersey. Robert has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, is a professional engineer and is a certified value specialist. Robert regularly presents at professional societies, was an instructor for the EPA, and a guest lecturer for universities. Robert prides himself on being able to present complex processes in a way that can be easily understood.

Location: St. Peters Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, Room 201

Day and Time: Mondays, January 30 to March 20, 1:00-2:30, 8 sessions.

Fee: $50

Materials: None needed (Robert recommends a notepad for taking notes!)