GWF News Summer 2019

Keeping Georgia Wild
®
®
Credit: Hank Ohme
Summer 2019
Connecting with Community at the
Keeping Georgia Wild Festival
The second annual Keeping Georgia Wild Family Festival,
held May 18 at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in
Mansfield, proved once again to be a wonderful community
outreach opportunity for GWF. Staff, board, volunteers, and
representatives from other sponsoring partners rallied
together to introduce the public to outdoor activities like
clay shooting, fishing, tree-climbing, archery, and more. The
weather was absolutely beautiful as an estimated 1300+
spent the day outside enjoying Georgia’s great outdoors.
Visit GWF.org or facebook/GeorgiaWildlifeFederation to
see all the photos and read the full update.
Event Partners: Georgia DNR-WRD, FCA Outdoors, National Wild
Turkey Federation - GA Chapter
The GWF Board showed up in full force to help with
the festival. Pictured here is District 6 Director David
Haire assisting a young visitor with animal track
identification and Vice-Chair Mark Berry distributing
free event t-shirts.
Private Lands Biologist
Evan Wheeler
encounters a gopher
tortoise at a recent
landowner site visit.
GWF Private Lands Stewardship Program Is
ON THE GROUND
The GWF Private Lands Biologist is now available to provide AT NO COST land
management assistance to landowners in focal counties in central Georgia. Given the
importance of active management in developing and maintaining quality wildlife habitat,
the GWF Biologist will perform one-on-one site visits with landowners to assess land
condition and landowner objectives and then develop a detailed management plan that
may include:
q Establishment of new forest stands (emphasizing longleaf pine).
q Prescribed fire planning.
q Identification of plants valuable for wildlife and approaches for promotion.
q Identification of invasive plants and methods for control.
q General silvicultural suggestions for stand enhancement that
will benefit wildlife.
For more information on enhancing wildlife habitat on your property and for a list
of focal counties, visit gwf.org/wildlifemanagement or contact Evan Wheeler at
evan@gwf.org or 251-975-8483.
The “Restoring Wildlife Habitat and Longleaf Pine on Private Lands in Georgia” project is supported by a grant from the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation’s Longleaf Stewardship Fund in partnership with Southern Company, USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service and USDA Forest Service.
For the most up-to-date GWF news, subscribe to
our email list and follow us on Facebook.
SUBSCRIBE at GWF.org

Exploring the Alcovy Conservation Center
From September 2018 to May 2019, over 100 community members of all
ages were treated to informative morning walks at the Alcovy
Conservation Center thanks to volunteer naturalist Kathy Whitworth.
Nature-lovers identified birds, insects, reptiles, trees, and flowers as they
walked the loop around the tupelo swamp discussing the importance of
the wetland and surrounding habitats. Although the walks have ended,
the public is still welcome to explore the ACC trails. Visit gwf.org/acc
for more details.
Georgia Water Coalition Update
Georgia Wildlife Federation hosted the annual spring meeting of the
Georgia Water Coalition on April 24th at our Alcovy Conservation
Center. Seventy people attended representing over 40 GWC member
groups. Two special guests this year included Josh Hildebrandt, policy
advisor to Governor Kemp, and Representative Mary Frances Williams
from Marietta. GWC leaders gave updates on current legislation and the
overall results of the 2019 Legislative Session.
GWF was a founding member of the Georgia Water Coalition when it
started in 2002. Now in its 18th year, the Coalition has 266 member
groups from around the state and the southeast working to conserve and
protect Georgia’s precious water resources.
2019 Clean 13 Heroes: The GWC is accepting nominations for Clean 13
Water Heroes through July 15. The report highlights extraordinary
efforts on the part of businesses, industries, local governments, nonprofit
organizations, and individuals to protect the water and natural
resources of Georgia. Visit GWF.org/gwc for more information.
Clay Shooters Brave Storms to Support GWF
The 2019 Clay Shoot for Conservation was like no other. With severe
weather looming, our sporting clay teams and volunteers traveled to
Burge Plantation in Mansfield not knowing if the weather would
"dampen" the day. Although the storms did indeed drench everyone,
shooters managed to keep smiling with several teams choosing to finish
up in the afternoon once the weather cleared. GWF would like to give a
huge thank you to everyone who braved the elements to participate.
High Scorers: Wesley Brooks (98), John Parish (98) Team Winner: Cobb
EMC (368)
Thank You to all of our Clay Shoot for Conservation Sponsors
Platinum: CSX Railroad | Gold: Whitehead & Associates |
Station: The Westervelt Company, Wildlife Trends, Outdoor
Underwriters, The Wildlife Group, Gillis Ag and Timber
Is there a Camp Charlie in Your Future?
Camp Charlie is a planned weekend of camping and hands-on outdoor
activities. The program primarily targets families who would like to
experience the outdoors with their children but may lack the knowledge,
skill, equipment, and self-confidence to go out on their own. If your
family is interested in participating, or you know of potential sponsors,
contact Adam Schiavone at aschiavone@gwf.org or 770-787-7887.
Volunteer Kathy Whitworth (left photo -
center) led visitors of all ages along the
picturesque ACC trails.
Josh Hildebrandt, policy advisor to
Governor Kemp, addresses Georgia
Water Coalition member groups at the
spring meeting held at GWF’s Alcovy
Conservation Center.
Credit: Hank Ohme
Teams at the GWF Clay Shoot for
Conservation smile and enjoy the day
despite storms.
GWF staff reunited with past Camp
Charlie participants at the recent Keeping
Georgia Wild Festival. The Martinez
family is eager to introduce other families
to camping. We hope to provide that
opportunity soon through Camp Charlie.
Georgia Wildlife Federation 11600 Hazelbrand Road, Covington, GA 30014 770-7

Georgia Hunters for the Hungry Update
Thank you to all of our sponsors, hunters, and processors who made
the 2018-2019 GHFTH season a success. Together, we provided 11,539
pounds of venison to Georgia food banks and fed approximately
46,156 high-quality, protein-rich meals to Georgians in need. Five new
processors were added to help make donating easier for hunters.
The new season will start up on October 19. Visit GWF.org to find a
participating processor and make plans to donate this fall.
GHFTH partners and sponsors: Walmart, GA DNR- Wildlife Resources Division,
and Georgia Food Bank Association.
Thanks, Seth, for a Job Well-Done
Seth Cook, our Campus R3 Coordinator at UGA, just graduated and
finished up his internship with us. We are sad to see him go, but wish
him luck in Colorado. One of his last activities was helping to
coordinate the Warnell Alumni and Freinds Sporting Clays this past
April. Visit GWF.org/r3 to read all about the event.
R3 Skeet Shoot at ABAC
The R3 Program at ABAC held its first annual Skeet
Shooting Tournament. Although high scorers were
recognized, the event was more about having fun and
introducing the sport to new participants. As an entry requirement,
each participant brought a new shooter and competed as a pair. A total
of nine teams (18 students) registered with the majority being students
in the natural resources program at ABAC. New shooters were
provided a day of training prior to the event to cover the fundamentals
of gun safety, skeet shooting tactics, and provide some hands-on
instruction. The training must have been beneficial since several of the
newbies outshot their more experienced partner. The event ended with
a shootout to break the tie for first place. Read more at GWF.org/r3.
GWF Welcomes Dan Fletcher to the Board
GWF is pleased to welcome Dan Fletcher to the Board of Directors.
Dan, an employee of WC Bradley Farms, Inc., comes to us from
Columbus and is serving as a Director-at-Large. Dan’s first priority is
to expand the presence and influence of GWF in the Columbus area.
As one of his first projects, he is working to establish a new dinner and
auction in the Columbus area to benefit GWF conservation programs.
Stay tuned to GWF.org for event details.
GOSA Funding Cycle Opens September 1
The Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act becomes effective July 1 and
the first grant funding cycle opens September 1. The program, funded
by a portion of sales tax on sporting goods, supports projects that
provide stewardship for state parks, state lands, WMAs, local parks
and trails, and protects critical conservation land. The GA DNR is
holding several information sessions for any organizations interested
in applying for funding. For more details, visit gwf.org/gosa.
Join or Renew at GWF.org
-787-7887 info@gwf.org www.gwf.org www.facebook.com/georgiawildlifefederation
GWF volunteer Dusty Rhodes promotes
the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry
program at the 2019 Fisharama in Perry
this past February.
Participants at the Warnell Sporting
Clays agree that you don’t have to be
Annie Oakley to enjoy shooting sports.
R3 Intern Parker Gerdes assists a new
shooter at the ABAC Skeet Shooting
Tournament.
GWF welcomes Dan Fletcher from
Columbus, GA to the Board of Directors.
Dan got his feet wet, both figuratively
and literally, at the stormy Shoot for
Conservation in April.

UPCOMING EVENTS
GWF Buckarama
August 16-18, Perry
Mill Creek Nature Center Update
Sportsman’s Dinner & Auction
August 29, Covington
Youth/Adult Dove Hunt
September 7, Mansfield
Rivers Alive - Newton
September 28, Covington
SE GA Sportsman’s Social
October 3, Statesboro
Rivers Alive - Gwinnett
October 12, Buford
Details at www.GWF.org
Credit: Suzy Downing
Volunteer Dan Douthart shows
the cub scouts and their leaders a
dragonfly larvae case on National
Trails Day at MCNC.
Credit: Hank Ohme
Volunteers from Gilbane, one of
GWF’s corporate sponsors, eye a
green tree frog in one of our
amphibian tubes at MCNC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Chairman: Kevin McKinstry, Tuscaloosa, AL
Vice Chairman: Mark Berry, Atlanta
Secretary: Joy Campbell, Folkston
Treasurer: Don E. Chandler, Atlanta
NWF Delegate: Randy Young, Senoia
DISTRICT DIRECTORS
District 1: Jamey Hulsey, Marietta
District 2: Mickey Brown, Atlanta
District 3: Tom Jones, Atlanta
District 4: Jeff Young, Monroe
District 5: Thomas Kephart, Covington
District 6: David Haire, Milner
District 7: Curtis Jenkins, Forsyth
District 9: Tommy Gregors, Leesburg
District 12: Carl Hall, Vidalia
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Josh Burnette, Marietta
Dan Fletcher, Columbus
Chris Gray, Buford
Daryl Ingram, Acworth
James Manley, Dacula
Brian Mask, Sr., Newborn
Seth Millican, Kennesaw
Gordon Reynolds, Loganville
Joel Vinson, Forsyth
Steve Wrigley, Watkinsville
Credit: Suzy Downing
On a rainy Saturday in April, GWF celebrated Earth Day at Mill Creek
Nature Center. A small but hardy group of volunteers removed Chinese
privet for two hours. Participants were treated to a frog presentation
from GA DNR and an up-close encounter with a rough green snake.
Credit: Hank Ohme
Credit: Suzy Downing
Credit: Suzy Downing
Wildlife Sightings at MCNC: Visitors have enjoyed watching the redshouldered
hawk chicks (above) and barred owl young (below) grow
stronger and more agile. (Right) This bizarre Harris’ three-spot moth
caterpillar keeps its old discarded head capsules after it sheds and
wears them as a towering series of hats.
GEORGIA WILDLIFE FEDERATION STAFF
President and CEO: Mike Worley
R3 Campus Coordinator (UGA): Seth Cook
Sportsmen’s Programs Coord.: Bonnie Eisterhold
Georgia R3 Coordinator: Charles Evans
R3 Campus Coordinator (ABAC): Parker Gerdes
Executive Assistant: Becky Harris
Outreach Manager: DeAnna Harris
Facilities Specialist: Simwone Jordan
MCNC Program Manager: Hank Ohme
Sportsmen’s Programs: Doug Rithmire
Director of Operations, GWC: Gina Rogers
Wildlife Techn./Volunteer Coord.: Adam Schiavone
Sportsmen’s Programs Manager: Sam Stowe
Private Lands Biologist: Evan Wheeler
Credit: Hank Ohme