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The Georgia Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) recently presented a check for $104,000 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) for waterfowl management projects throughout the state. DU makes an annual donation to WRD as part of their habitat conservation program called Matching Aid to Restore State^s Habitats (MARSH). MARSH is a dollar-for-dollar matching funds partnership between DU and other conservation partners, such as WRD, for waterfowl projects in Georgia.
DU designed MARSH to fund the creation, restoration and/or enhancement of high quality wetland habitat across the United States. Currently, there are five new projects under construction in Georgia. These include: Ø a refuge area at Coosawattee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Carter^s Lake, Ø a wood duck nest box project on Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in Columbus, Ø additions to existing impoundments on Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Ø renovations to existing impoundments on Fishing Creek WMA on Clarks Hill Lake, Ø renovation of the Butler Island Refuge on Altamaha WMA in cooperation with the WRD Nongame and Natural Heritage Section.
"The relationship between WRD and DU has been extremely beneficial for both waterfowl and waterfowl hunters in Georgia," says State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom. "Without the funds generated by DU members across the state, many of our waterfowl projects would never have been completed."
WRD uses funds from the sale of Georgia Waterfowl Conservation Licenses to contribute to the completion of MARSH projects. All waterfowl hunters are required to purchase a state waterfowl conservation license in addition to the federal duck stamp.
In Georgia, DU and WRD have spent a total of $2.62 million on 25 completed MARSH Projects that affect 15,102 acres of wetlands. Wetland-dependent species that benefit from MARSH projects include ducks, geese, shorebirds, wading birds, songbirds, and a diversity of reptiles and amphibians. For more information on MARSH projects, contact the WRD Game Management Section Office at (770)-918-6416.
Uploaded: 11/29/2000
Uploaded: 11/29/2000