|
|
 
Footprints & Paddledrips
Volume 3 Issue 2
Newsletter of the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association,
February, 2001
January Meeting Highlights
The January 2001 meeting of the GNTA was held at the Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge near Folkston. Jim Burkhart, of that agency,
presented an overview of the area projects which affect the Okefenokee
Swamp. The Suwannee River Sill, built at the outlet of the Suwannee River
in the early 1960's, is being manipulated in an attempt to help restore
natural water levels in the swamp.
The compromise plan developed to halt the proposed strip-mining for titanium
by  the
DuPont Corporation along the eastern border of the refuge which involves
purchase of mining rights, acquisition of land, and development of an
Okefenokee Educational Research Center is still awaiting funding. Construction
of the Starlight Ampitheater just south of the eastern refuge entrance
has caused concern about the impact of noise and light pollution, as well
as the probable increased development along the swamp's border. Both the
St. Marys and Suwannee Rivers are the focus of symposiums and conferences
this quarter where interested citizens and various agencies will attempt
to address some of the issues affecting those waterways. Lastly, an assortment
of construction projects are underway on the refuge and surrounding access
points which will renovate and improve boardwalks, trails, roadways and
visitor centers.
Ed Reed, of the Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Division of
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, gave an update on the progress
being made to develop a new state park near Fargo which will be located
along the Suwannee River from lands donated by Superior Pine Products.
An ecolodge, cabins, tent camping sites, visitor center, and a system
of boardwalks and trails are being planned. The focus will be on providing
a quality experience for canoeists, birders, botanists, and other nature-lovers
who visit one of the state's most famous and scenic rivers.
Joy Campbell, co-owner with husband Chip of Okefenokee Adventures, the
cooperating partner at the Okefenokee refuge, was co-host for the meeting
and also prepared the midday meal. The company provided a complimentary
boat ride into the swamp as the afternoon field trip where Sandhill Cranes,
White Ibis, and many other birds were observed feeding.
GNTA Website
Richard and John Lenz, of Lenz,
Inc. in
Atlanta, have begun work on the Association's
website. As final arrangements are being made for its development, they
generously offered to create a preliminary site at this time which can
serve as a way for the public to learn about the organization via the
internet. Our domain names are: Georgianature.org, Ganature.net, and
Ganature.com.
We extend our thanks to this fine company for their efforts in helping
the GNTA expand its communication network. Their website is www.lenzmarketing.com.
Members are asked to send any current brochures, information sheets,
etc.
about themselves and their agency, organization, or business to: Sheila
Willis, 326 Pineview Dr., Waycross, GA 31501.
Public Outreach Program
Officers are working on developing a GNTA slide program and educational
displays which can be used at conferences, seminars, etc. Some wildlife
and habitat slides have already been acquired. If you have any items (slides,
photos) which you would like to contribute to the project which highlight
the special features or environmental concerns of your area, please send
these to: Sheila Willis, 326 Pineview Dr., Waycross, GA 31501.
Directory Update
The Membership and Resource Directory is being updated, and will be mailed
to members this month. It's not too late to send notice of any changes
in contact persons, numbers, and addresses. Please contact Sheila Willis
at 912-285-0419 or c/o Waycross Tourism Bureau (attn. GNTA) at
waycrosstour@acessatc.net
when you receive this notice. This expanded directory will be released
only twice-a-year.
Member Renewals
A reminder that dues are payable-in-full on an annual basis based upon
the month that each member joined the GNTA. Please contact the
Association with your payment and updated membership information upon
receipt of your renewal notice. Your support is vital to the growth and
success of the GNTA.
Association Schedule
GNTA general meetings are held on the third Tuesdays of selected
months. The annual meeting is held in September. The Association attempts
to highlight different areas of the state by moving the meetings to a
new location each time. If you would like to host a future meeting, please
contact the current President no later than the 15th of the month preceding
the appropriate gathering.
2001 (date/location/host)
- Mar. 20--Gen. Coffee State Park, Douglas--Gen. Coffee State Park
- May 15--Woodbine Waterfront Pavilion, Woodbine--Kingsland Convention
& Visitor's Bureau
- Jul. 17--site to be announced, Savannah--Tootsy Tours
Hosts Needed: There are vacancies for September (Annual Meeting)
and November
Note: All dates and locations are subject to change due to scheduling
conflicts. Watch the newsletter for future details.
GNTA Contacts
Correspondence and membership inquiries should be sent to the Association
address or directly to Sheila Willis, President (326 Pineview Dr., Waycross,
GA 31501). Billing statements should be sent to Joy Campbell, Treasurer
(Rt. 2, Box 3325, Folkston, GA 31537). Items for the newsletter should
be sent by the last Monday of the month to Karen Arms (P.O. Box 10585,
Savannah, GA 31412 or email: karms@tootsytours.com).
Send Us Your Events
If you know of any nature-based events, festivals, classes, conferences,
etc. that would be of interest to GNTA members, contact the newsletter
editor by the deadline of the last Monday of each month. Please include
your phone number and e-mail address.
Important Bird Areas
In an attempt to help preserve the various habitats across the country
which are vital to birds for breeding, wintering, and during migration,
the National Audubon Society is working to designate certain superior
sites as Important Bird Areas. They obtain documentation about the location's
species, habitats, and conservation issues, and offer the owners the latest
information about managing habitats for native wildlife. Jim Wilson, of
the Atlanta Audubon Society, is the coordinator for the state of Georgia.
If you would like to nominate a site for inclusion in the project, or
wish to obtain more information about the program, please contact him
at: 404-873-3034 or email: jim@efg.org.
Suwannee River Basin
A research symposium for the Suwannee River Basin will be held in Live
Oak, FL on April 11-12. This event will feature speakers from various
agencies who will discuss the various research programs, management strategies,
and conservation issues connected to the Suwannee River. For further information
contact: Suzanne Richardson, Suwannee River Management District, at 904-362-1001.
Member News
Little St. Simon's Island has been selected as an Important Bird Area
for Georgia by the National Audubon Society. This designation is part
an effort to identify and protect critical areas used by birds. Owners
of the famous nature resort located on that barrier island will be honored
in a special ceremony this Spring. The GNTA congratulates those
associated with this resort which has a long history of successfully combining
quality nature-based tourism opportunities with conservation efforts in
the coastal areas.
Welcome New Members
The GNTA extends a warm welcome to its newest members: Albany
Tomorrow (Albany), and Wilderness Southeast (Savannah). A complete listing
for them will be available in the next Directory due this month. In the
interval, you may contact them at the following numbers: Albany Tomorrow
at 229-430-3910 and Wilderness Southeast, Inc. at 912-355-3357.
|
