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Footprints & Paddledrips
Volume 4 Issue 2
Newsletter of the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association,
February, 2002
January Gathering Highlights
The January meeting of the GNTA was held on Jan. 15 at the Okefenokee
Chamber of Commerce in Folkston.
The hosts were the Okefenokee C.O.C. (www.folkston@planttel.net)
and Okefenokee Adventures (www.OkefenokeeAdventures.com).
Tommy Gregors of The Georgia Wildlife Federation (www.gwf.org)
and Director of the Okefenokee Education and Research Center in Folkston
was the featured speaker.
He gave an overview of the Georgia Wildlife Federation whose purpose
is to educate the public on natural resources and their protection.
He described it as the oldest conservation organization in Georgia, and
stated that the issues that led to its founding in 1936 are still current.
Chief among these is habitat loss.
He also described the progress being made towards completing the O.E.R.C.
that will be used to educate the public about the Okefenokee Swamp ecosystem
and its cultural history.
The buildings that will be the Center are under renovation, and when
opened next year will feature a Discovery Hall with exhibits, classrooms
for special programs and school groups, and an auditorium. Educational
classes will be offered and tours of the swamp will be available.
The O.E.R.C. is part of a plan that includes the purchase of land adjacent
to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for its expansion in exchange
for the DuPont Corporation's cessation of its plans to develop a titanium
strip mine in that area. However, Congress has not provided funding for
that purchase as of this date.
In the afternoon, attendees visited the Okefenokee National Wildlife
Refuge's Eastern Entrance where Okefenokee Adventures gave a complimentary
boat tour of the swamp.
Chip Campbell, owner of O.A. which is an official cooperating partner
of the federal refuge, gave an entertaining commentary on the great swamp
and guided the group to where they could see an assortment of wildlife,
including Sandhill Cranes, White Ibis, and even an amazing jumping fish
which in its haste to escape an alligator almost joined the boaters in
their ride!
Correspondence & Membership
Correspondence/membership
President:
Sheila Willis
326 Pineview Dr.
Waycross, GA 31501
912-285-0419
Newsletter Items (by last Monday of each month)
Vice President:
Karen Arms
P.O. Box 10585
Savannah, GA 31412
912-232-0032
karms@tootsytours.com
Billing statements
Treasurer:
Joy Campbell
Rt. 2, Box 3325
Folkston, GA 31537
912-496-7156
info@okefenokeeadventures.com
Send Us Your News
If you know of any interesting nature news, conservation con-cerns, or
nature-based events & conferences, please help spread the word by
sending us a notice.
At each meeting member news-letters & other informative docu-ments
will be available for display.
Member News
Obediah's Okefenok--Billy Brantley announces that the Waycross
historical site will host its annual Winter Festival on Feb. 23 that will
feature various events that showcase the old-time farming skills of yesteryear.
A highlight will be a demonstration of how hogs were prepared for sausage-making.
Antique engines will be on display, and traditional games for the children
will take place. Local music and "southern dancing" will be
the entertainment for the day.
Obediah Barber's cabin and other buildings will be open for special tours
and attendees may hike the nature trails of the pinelands.
For further information, contact him at 912-287-0090 or visit www.okefenokeeswamp.com.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge--Refuge officials participated
in the dedication of the world-famous wetland as one of The National Audubon
Society's Important Bird Areas on Feb. 9.
This nation-wide program is an effort to identify areas that are critical
for birds to have when nesting, feeding, roosting and migrating.
The Okefenokee Swamp exceeded the minimum criteria needed for nomination.
The South Georgia refuge can now add one more honor to its list of international
recognition.
City of Fargo—Mayor Patricia Oettmeier announces that the
groundbreaking ceremony for the new state park to be located along the
banks of the scenic Suwannee River near her city will take place on March
17 at 1:30 p.m. at the River Landing on Highway #441.
Many state and area dignitaries will be in attendance to participate
in launching the next “jewel” in the crown of the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources state park system.
This new site will focus on preserving and interpreting the historic
and beautiful Suwannee River that has its origins in the equally famous
Okefenokee Swamp.
For further information contact her at 912-637-5597.
Association Schedule
General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of alternate months. If
you would like to host a future meeting, please contact the current president
no later than the 15th of the month preceding the gathering.
2002 (date/location/host)
Mar. 19—Baxley Chamber of Commerce, Baxley—Baxley-Appling Co.
Board of Tourism
May 21—Cypress Lake Plantation, Rhine—Eastman-Dodge Co. Chamber
of Commerce
Note: Hosts are needed for the following dates: Jul. 16, Sept.
17, & Nov. 1
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