THOMASVILLE — Discover one of the Southeast’s rarest birds up close during a unique, hands-on conservation program at Pebble Hill Plantation on Saturday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. Join noted wildlife biologist Joe Burnam for an immersive morning focused on the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW)—a species recently reclassified from endangered to threatened thanks to decades of conservation efforts.

This special program begins at the Pebble Hill Learning Center with an engaging presentation on longleaf pine ecology and RCW habitat management in the Red Hills Region. Following the indoor session, guests will venture into the field to witness RCW survey and banding techniques, including the use of a Wireless Cavity Peeper Camera to monitor nesting activity.

“This is a rare chance for the public to see what conservation looks like in action,” said Burnam. “The red-cockaded woodpecker has been a symbol of both the challenges and successes of wildlife conservation in the Southeast.”

Participants will get an up-close look at the banding process; a vital tool used by biologists to track and protect this federally listed species.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (17 and under). Advance registration is required by May 9 and can be completed online at https://pebble-hill-plantation.ticketleap.com.

Pebble Hill suggests bringing comfortable shoes, water, binoculars (loaners available in limited quantities), and a picnic lunch to enjoy on the scenic grounds following the program.

Pebble Hill Plantation, a site steeped in Southern history and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has welcomed the public since 1983. This program offers a rare blend of history, ecology, and conservation education, ideal for families, birders, and nature enthusiasts alike.