DIRECTOR RUSTY'S MESSAGE
 Our mission is to conserve, enhance and promote Georgia’s fish and wildlife resources and outdoor heritage through science-driven research, management, regulation and education.
One way that we accomplish this mission is through funding received by the sales and renewals of wildlife license plates. These tags play a huge role in what our agency is able to do for wildlife and fisheries.
Funds from tag purchases and renewals provided more than $1.5 million for nongame, approximately $1 million for the Bobwhite Quail Initiative and about $150,000 for supporting our trout program in the last fiscal year. There are about 130,000 vehicles with our plates on them in Georgia. I know that sounds like a lot, but at the height of the program there were about 600,000 vehicles.
We, DNR, have an opportunity to turn more bumpers into wildlife conservation billboards. So what can each one of us do to help?
I encourage each of you at every opportunity possible to educate the public on our license plates. Whenever you are addressing an audience, whether it is an audience of one or more, mention that the best way to support what we do is to purchase a hunting or a fishing license and buy a wildlife plate (and renew a wildlife plate they already have).
If we keep this as our top priority, then I know we can make these tags an even more successful program for us. If you ever have a question about anything to do with license plates, please contact Jenifer Wisniewski.
Thank you for all you do!
Back to top.
WILDLIFE PLATES 101
 Win a Weekend for Wildlife trunk organizer.
As pointed out above, DNR has a number of license plates that provide key support for Wildlife Resources Division programs.
But how much do you know about our wildlife plates?
Test your tag IQ in this short quiz.
Not only will it keep you in the know, it may help keep you on the go: Include your email – it’s one of the questions – and we’ll include you in a drawing for one of three Weekend for Wildlife trunk organizers (below)!
By the way, no one is keeping score. The quiz is a just fun way to help spread the word about our license plates that benefit Georgia wildlife, plants and natural habitats.
But don’t delay. This quiz, open only to WRD employees, closes Nov. 29. We’ll announce the winners shortly afterward.
Back to top.
WE ARE DNR HIGHLIGHT: BECK CASTS FOR BASS NATION TITLE
 Tony Beck (Mishay Allen/DNR)
Tony Beck, manager of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Walton Fish Hatchery, not only knows how to raise fish, he’s good at catching them!
Tony competes in bass tournaments throughout the Southeast as a member of the B.A.S.S. Nation and Lake Oconee Bassmasters. He has posted some exceptional tournament results this past year and has qualified to compete in the 2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Conroe, Texas, this week -- Nov. 17-19. Qualifying for this event was no small task, as only one boating angler is chosen from each state (along with a nonboater per state).
Fishing has always been a part of Tony’s life. When he was 12, he started entering fishing tournaments with his brother and thrived on the competition. His competitive streak led him to take up baseball, but when his baseball career ended after high school, he returned to fishing tournaments as a way to continue competing in a sport he loves.
Tony also has long been interested in working with wildlife. During his studies at the University of Georgia, he realized he wanted to work specifically in fisheries management. He’s been with DNR for 15 years. As manager of the Walton Fish Hatchery near Social Circle, by day Tony raises fish that are distributed to lakes and rivers across Georgia. On the weekends, he’s competing in tournaments across the state and Southeast to reel in the biggest catch!
The 2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will have more than 100 anglers competing from 47 states and nine nations. The pressure is high: The top three finishers will earn a spot to fish in the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic, set for March 24-26 at Lake Conroe. The classic is the pinnacle of competitive bass fishing and the dream of every bass tournament angler.
Congratulations to Tony on his great accomplishment! We will all be cheering as he chases this dream.
Tournament updates and angler profiles at www.bassmaster.com/Nation.
Back to top.
NOVEMBER HONORS
Congratulations to Wildlife Resources’ November recipients of We Are DNR recognition! Each will be recognized by Director Rusty Garrison and receive swag from Public Affairs. Also, one employee whose nomination exhibited a shining example of DNR values and mission focus or support is featured each month.
For November, that employee is Kim Piemme, business operations generalist (the new title for AOCs) at Game Management’s Region 2 office in Gainesville. Here’s some of what those nominating Kim had to say:
"Kim's dedication to smooth daily operation in our region cannot be matched. She goes above and beyond to take care of all field staff and office employees in any way possible."
"Kim provides the best customer service to everyone."
"Without great support staff like Kim, the work of our mission would never be accomplished. She makes sure the techs have the tools and supplies they need to get their job finished. She provides ultimate customer service to both our internal and external customers. She has time and time again been a resource to new administrative assistants and AOCs, and is often looked to as a model and mentor to those in similar positions."
"Kim is always doing something for individuals and the region's teams to keep us up to date on all things administrative. ... Not only does she do an exemplary job on an everyday basis, she is always cheerful and upbeat."
Many also mentioned Kim's work during the WRD response to Hurricane Matthew. She helped prepare the region's Debris Clearing Team beforehand and meet reporting deadlines afterward. (For more on WRD's response, watch this video.)
As one co-worker wrote of Kim, "You would be hard-pressed to find a more efficient, committed employee in our ranks."
OTHER NOVEMBER RECIPIENTS
And a quick comment from those nominating them:
-
Carletha Bryant, Fisheries Management (Region 4) – “Carletha works diligently to take care of everything administrative. … She tries to make our paper work as painless as possible and keeps everyone updated on changes.”
-
Margie Dent, Hunter Development Program and Forest Management – “Margie without hesitation delivers quick, accurate and consistent results to LBRU's customers when verification or set-up of hunter safety certification requirements are at issue. … She consistently receives compliments and praise for her great attitude.”
-
Lisa Germany, License and Boat Registration Unit – “Lisa handles the majority of the License Unit's customers with disabilities and does so with the utmost care and professionalism. Her concern for the customer and willingness to do whatever is required to assist them comes through every day during her interactions.”
-
Jimmy Miller, Hugh Gillis PFA – “Jimmy goes above and beyond when it comes to customer service. He strives to make Hugh Gillis the best PFA in the state when it comes to fishing, aesthetics, KFEs or any events or activities.”
Back to top.
PERSONNEL
Changes October-early November. These do not include hourly positions.
HIRED
- Laci Sharee Coleman, Nongame Conservation (Social Circle), biologist 2
- Jarrell Jackson Colter III, Nongame Conservation, wildlife technician 2
- Kim Morris-Zarneke, Nongame Conservation, Senior Manager, Business Operations for Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center
PROMOTED
- John H. Adams, Game Management (Region 4), wildlife tech supervisor
- Charles S. Duggan, Game Management (Fitzgerald), wildlife tech supervisor
RETIRED
- Deborah A. Weiler, Nongame Conservation (Social Circle), wildlife tech 2
Back to top.
|
