The University of Georgia is set to acquire nearly 15½ acres from the Wormsloe Foundation near Savannah.

The Board of Regents voted Wednesday to accept the gift, which will be used for research. UGA says it will operate the land as a nature preserve for scientific, historical and educational purposes.

It will be known as the University of Georgia Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe, and UGA plans to build a $300,000 facility within the next few years.

The Wormsloe Plantation dates back to the 1730s. The historic site consists of just over 1,000 acres, much of which the Barrow family deeded to the state in 1973 for preservation.

The parcel given to UGA is adjacent to land remaining in the Barrow family.

Tags: University of Georgia, University System of Georgia, Board of Regents, wormsloe plantation