|
 
Footprints & Paddledrips
Volume 4 Issue 7
Newsletter of the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association,
August & September, 2002
July Meeting Highlights
Michael Neal, owner of Bull River Cruises (www.bullriver.com)
in Savannah, served as host for the July 16 meeting of the GNTA which
was held at his offices on Bull River. During the morning’s session Michael
discussed Georgia’s rivers such as the Savannah, and updated those present
on various efforts for their preservation. Using an area riverways map,
he showed how a plan to link the outdoor recreation providers along these
stretches will increase opportunities for local citizens, business-owners, & resource
managers to monitor the resources while educating the public about their
value and threats to the ecosystem.
After the general meeting, participants were treated to a boat tour
of Bull River with Mr. Neal providing commentary.
During the educational field activity it was learned that “tides are
the heartbeat of the area” with the plants and animals of the coastal
delta developing their life cycles around its patterns.
The tide was low for this particular afternoon adventure and the boaters
were able to observe a variety of birds in action including Great Egrets,
Brown Pelicans, Green Herons, and Laughing Gulls. As the group cruised
through the salt marshes, Mike discussed two current concerns for area
residents. One was the on-going drought. The lack of fresh-water input
has meant that the salinity of the waters has increased with detrimental
effects on crabs & other species.
Another critical issue was the proposed development of certain marsh
hammocks, the “garden places of the marsh”. These areas are vital to
wildlife of the coast estuaries and also serve as buffers for the mainland
during hurricanes and tropical storms.
Those GNTA members who attended the meeting enjoyed being part of one
of the Association’s most-interesting outdoor classroom experiences.
GNTA at “Rally Rural GA”
GNTA President Sheila Willis represented the organization at
the 2002 Celebrating Rural Georgia Conference held Aug. 26-28 in Dublin.
The theme was “Rally Rural Georgia”.
Over 700 individuals came from around the state to attend special programs
and participate in group discussions and activities that were designed
to explore the challenges and opportunities that exist for rural Georgia
where 58% of the state’s population resides.
Again and again the message presented was the need for more collaborative
partnerships between different organizations, agencies, and local governments.
The first day’s schedule included a report from the GA Rural Development
Council on the “Myths & Realities of Rural Georgia” and an old-fashioned
pep rally.
On the following day participants could choose from an abundance of
programs presented as concurrent sessions. Some of these were: “Out in
the Great Wide Open: New Money & Tools to Preserve Rural Georgia’s
Greenspace”; “A Potpourri of Specialty Tourism: Ecotourism, Sports, Rail
Excursions, & National Forests by Thinking Big!”; “Paddling, Peddling,
and Cruising: Connecting Communities with Rivers, Roads, Greenways, Bike
Trails, and Scenic Byways”; and “Making Room in the Inn: Attracting the
Perfect Bed and Breakfast”.
Each of these sessions had strong messages about the value of nature-based
tourism and the need to preserve Georgia’s natural resources.
The luncheon featured a keynote address by Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor who
spoke about the untapped potential, talent, passion, & commitment
that is in Rural Georgia.
The final day contained overviews of topics such as “Persistent Poverty
in the South”, “The Farm Bill” & “Access to Capitol”.
Capping the three-day event, top state policy makers in higher education,
technology, transportation, workforce development, and tourism lead the
audience in a discussion of new strategies planned to improve life in
rural Georgia.
For her part, Janis Cannon of the Georgia Department of Industry,
Trade, and Tourism encouraged the showcasing of the state’s natural beauty
and also spoke about the rise of agri-tourism and its benefits to all
citizens, rural and urban.
GNTA Contacts
Newsletter items (by last Monday of each month)
Editor: Current president
Correspondence/membership
President:
Sheila Willis
326 Pineview Dr.
Waycross, GA 31501
912-285-0419
swillis@wayxcable.com
Vice President:
Billing statements
Treasurer:
Joy Campbell
Rt. 2, Box 3325
Folkston, GA 31537
912-496-7156
info@okefenokeeadventures.com
Conservation & Tourism Event at LWP
As part of Laura S. Walker State Park’s Special Saturday mini-festivals,
Park Ranger Sheila Willis organized a series of programs for Aug.
17 that helped expose visitors to the natural beauty of Georgia and learn
how to both explore and protect it. The event highlighted some of the
conservation programs around the state and gave an overview of the tourism
industry in Georgia.
Interpretive exhibits were created and free handouts & brochures
were made available from a variety of agencies, organizations, & tourism
businesses with members of the GNTA being featured.
Some of the members with goals centered around conservation efforts
were Ashton, Ashton, & Associates, Center for a Sustainable Coast,
Georgia Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation, & The
Georgia Conservancy.
Short activities included a nature trail clean-up, an overview of the
economic & health benefits of a “Clean Scene”, and a presentation
on the Georgia Scenic Trails System.
As President of the GNTA, Ms. Willis offered a special session that
explained why eco-tourism is the fastest growing component of the state’s
economy and a boon to rural areas. Various segments of the nature-based
tourism industry were discussed.
She also presented information on the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources Non-game Wildlife Program’s projects that seek to protect
native wildlife such as Swallow-tailed Kites, reptiles, and amphibians.
Christine Griffiths, Outreach Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy,
was a featured guest speaker who presented information on that organization’s
many projects in South Georgia that aim to protect wild places such as
Broxton Rocks and the Altamaha River Biosphere Reserve.
GNTA Members Featured at Laura S. Walker State Park
In conjunction with Laura S. Walker State Park’s “Special Saturdays” (special
mini-festivals based around a different theme each weekend during the
Summer), Park Naturalist Sheila Willis (& GNTA President)
has been featuring the members of the Georgia Nature-based Tourism Association.
Members of the public attending these events took home many of the member’s
brochures and commented that they enjoyed learning more about the area,
its nature-based tourism groups & festivals, and the many conservation
groups that are working to protect the state’s natural resources.
The “A Day at the Beach” programs included a showing of a video by The
Lodge on Little St. Simons Island and pictures, brochures, & books
from other coastal members such as Bull River Cruises, The Jekyll
Island Convention & Visitors Bureau/Welcome Center, Lenz Design & Communications,
Marsh Tours, Southeast Adventure Outfitters, & Wilderness Southeast. (cont.)
GNTA Members Featured at Laura S. Walker State Park (cont.)
For certain events, such as “Watercraft Adventures & River Conservation”,
members of the Association participated by conducting paddling trips
on Laura Walker Lake & giving slide presentations on their special
areas. Chip Campbell of Okefenokee Adventures and Ray
Hetchka of Kayak Amelia were the two members here who provided “bodies” and/or
information.
Brochures from the many GNTA members connected to the Okefenokee Swamp
were made into a display. Just a few were Okefenokee National Wildlife
Refuge, Stephen C. Foster State Park, City of Fargo, Okefenokee Chamber
of Commerce, & Oke Trail Masters.
Some of the other members with waterway connections highlighted were: Albany
Tomorrow, Bull River Cruises, Marsh Tours, Melon Bluff, Savannah-Ogeechee
Canal Museum & Nature Center, & Southeast Adventure Outfitters.
For “Art in the Park” member Lydia Thompson of Artworks by
Lydia lent a display of her nature art and donated items for a
raffle during the “Birds of the Park” event.
“Heritage Day” involved trips to Waycross area attractions and GNTA
member Obediah’s Okefenok was a major contributor by offering
special entrance-fee discounts.
The “Conservation & Nature-based Tourism” event is described above
and included all of the GNTA members with information provided via brochures & extra
information & pictures pulled from their websites and made into an
attractive display.
One of the most popular “Special Saturday” events was the one entitled “Farm
Day”. Among the many offerings was a display made that highlighted the
many agriculture festivals, attractions, and farm tours that take place
in Georgia.
Some appropriate GTNA members here included Baxley-Appling Co Board
of Tourism, City of Fargo, Eastman-Dodge Co. Chamber of Commerce, Hazelhurst-Jeff
Davis Co. Board of Tourism, Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce, & Pooler
Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lastly, the Labor Day event was “Famous South Georgia Women” and centered
around the many interesting women, real & mythical, of that corner
of the state. So brochures from the ladies at Tootsy Tours were
appropriately made available here.
Annual Meetings Set
The 2002 Annual Meeting will be held at Holton's
Seafood Restaurant in Midway on Tues., Sept. 17. This
will also be our required Annual Board of Directors Meeting as
stated in the By-laws.
Lots of exciting things are in the works. Come
hear the details of past events and future
plans...the 2003 GNTA conference, various regional projects, a new
updated website, and a new method of communication using a list-server.
Come get in on the ground floor and have your area involved!
Also, it's your chance to "get your hands dirty" in preparation
for our next cycle of activity. We will use the afternoon time for a working
session in which we will all have the opportunity to help update
our brochures, discuss a variety of ways to expand the work of the GNTA
plus its membership, and other pertinent items.
Everyone's ideas & hands are needed. We might be
able to arrange a "door prize" too!
Sept. Schedule
10:00 a.m.—Annual Board of Directors Meeting
10:30 a.m.—Introductions & Current Events
11:00 a.m.—General Meeting
12:00 p.m.—Lunch (Holton’s Seafood Restaurant, Midway)
1:00 p.m.—Working Session (until 2:00 p.m.)
Directions: west of I-95 at the junction of I-95 & Hwy 84 in
Midway. (912-884-9151)
Send Us Your News
If you know of any interesting nature news, conservation concerns, or
nature-based events & conferences, please help spread the word by
sending us a notice. At each meeting member newsletters & other informative
documents will be available for display.
Members’ Spotlight
The GNTA is composed of a variety of individuals & entities who
all believe that conservation and commerce are inter-connected. Nowhere
is this more evident than in the field of Nature-based Tourism.
There is a shared sense of responsibility to our communities and our
natural resources. Also, GNTA members believe in the importance of looking
past artificial boundaries of city, county, & state limits and those
that separate various agencies & organizations.
Each of us can reap benefits by examining the work & ideas of others.
In order to learn more about the individual members of the GNTA & the
focus of their work, a "Members' Spotlight" column is presented
here with excerpts taken from the members' brochures, flyers,
and other information sources. Additional members will be highlighted
on a regular basis.
Hazelhurst-Jeff Davis Co. Board of Tourism
The Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers merge on the border of Jeff Davis County
to form the Altamaha River, and thus “Jewel of the Altamaha” is one of
the titles chosen by the Hazelhurst-Jeff Davis Co. Board of Tourism to
describe this centrally-located Georgia county.
The Altamaha River is one of the state’s most picturesque waterways
and the other major rivers near it are no less spectacular. Go to that
board’s website for a description of the area and you read “Lining those
river systems are thousand of acres of swampy lowlands. Ideal habitat
for wild game. These lowlands are dotted with hundreds of fish-filled
rivers and lakes…a sportsman's paradise”.
According to reports, “The three river's natural beauty is largely undisturbed. At
least 130 species of rare or endangered plants and animals exist in and
along the river system. The river lowlands and swamps are popular areas
for hunters.”
Nature-based tourism and protection of these natural resources is a
high priority for the leaders of Jeff Davis County. They state “We are
proud to claim some of the best facilities in the state located in a
scenic and protected environment” and have taken as their motto “Come
enjoy the great outdoors”.
One of the most popularly-visited sites along its boundaries is Bullard
Creek Wildlife Management Area that is described as “covering approximately
fourteen thousand acres of river flood plain with pine and hardwood
adjacent uplands - housing a wide variety of wildlife” with multiple
opportunities for fishing, hunting, hiking, & primitive camping.
The local website gives one a guide to the many ways to explore a region
rich in waterways and picturesque farmlands and “experience southern
hospitality up close and personal”. Major offerings include ECO-TOURS: “Enjoy
the great outdoors and in all of its natural glory. Reconnect with nature
by scheduling a guided canoe tour” and AGRI-TOURS: “Learn about southern
heritage by taking a farm tour offering authentic southern meals. Retreat
from the hustle and bustle for a while and get the feel for the slower
paced lifestyle of the countryside. Our community epitomizes the rural,
farm country that is the backbone of the South.”
Some of the nature-based tourism events that highlight and emphasize
the uniqueness of this area include for Spring the Farm-City Day (participate
in rural lifestyle activities) & the Altamaha Wilderness Adventure
Challenge; for Summer the Altamaha River Canoe Run (leisurely scenic
tours of wildlife habitats); and for Fall other River Canoe Runs on the
Altamaha & Ocmulgee, the Dixieland Cotton Tour (visit area farmland
attractions), & the Cotton Harvest Festival and Fly-in (farm tours & airplanes).
The town of Hazelhurst got its start in the late 1800’s as an
important base camp during the building of a network of railroads across
the South. History buffs who want to learn more about this special community
can get a glimpse into its fascinating past when Cotton was King by visiting
the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Historical Museum, a turn-of-the-last-century
cottage built entirely out of heart pine.
Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Co. Board of Tourism
|
