 A message from WRD Director Rusty Garrison:
No one was more surprised than me when I was named director of the Wildlife Resources Division. Even to this day, I wonder at the fact that I was given the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
One day four years ago, just in passing I mentioned to my wife, Sue, that Dan Forster was retiring. Several days later Sue asked, “You are going to apply for the position, aren’t you?” I had never even considered applying. But there it was, encouragement from the best wife and helpmate a man could ask for. So, I turned in my application.
I have loved working with DNR. We are family, and I will miss being a part of this great family. I will not miss the paperwork, the reports, the last-minute deadlines; but I will miss the people. I will miss each one of you.
Since the beginning of my career, I have served in training positions. I love programming, but my passion has been watching people develop and improve professionally. It was my honor to be some small part of that development. When I worked as environmental education coordinator with UGA, it was my great joy to see the staff learn and grow. I considered it a success when staff moved on to bigger and better positions.
That joy continued as I moved to DNR in 1993 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. Designing the center was challenging and fun. But the true joy of the position was hiring staff, training them and seeing them move into better positions. Many are now leading programs around the country or serving in wildlife positions they love.
When my family and I moved overseas for six years, I carried that desire to train others with me. As training coordinator of the ship MV Doulos, I was able to pour into the lives of hundreds of staff and volunteers who came from countries around the world. We are still in touch with many of these folks as they continue to serve in their own countries.
It was from this background that I wanted to approach the director position at WRD. Hoping to further develop the family atmosphere and attitude within the division, I visited with as many of you as I could. We developed a chaplains program to care for those in need. I wanted to improve communications, so I called the supervisors regularly and we developed the WRD We Are DNR e-newsletter. I wanted us all to know the WRD mission and where each of us fit within that mission, so I began by asking who even knew the mission. By the time I completed those first region visits, word had gotten out and you had memorized the mission statement!
My desire was to serve the folks of DNR; to provide you with the tools you needed to be successful in your position, and not just to be successful, but to excel.
You did not disappoint. I regularly, even almost daily, receive compliments on the WRD staff. People take time out of their busy work schedules to write emails and letters or make Facebook posts about how great you are in providing top-notch customer service. You are passionate about your work. That passion exudes from you, and people notice.
During my career with the state, I sat through too many meetings, many more than I can count. I have completed hundreds of thousands of forms and produced enough paperwork to have likely caused the harvest of many acres of trees. But as I come to the end of my career, I realize what matters is not endless meetings, whether they are live or virtual. What truly matters is not the signing of the next form that comes across my desk or completing the endless paperwork.
At the end of the day the only thing that truly matters are the people. The people of WRD make this organization great and it has been my extreme honor to serve with so many professionals who love their work. Many of the aspects of the job are mundane and I will not miss those; however, I will definitely miss working with all the great people of WRD.
You are the heart of WRD and it has been my privilege to serve with you and to call you friends.
WILL NAMED NEW DIRECTOR
It is also my great honor to announce that Ted Will has been appointed the next WRD director, effective Dec. 1.
Ted has been on staff for 20 years. He served most recently as assistant director, but has also worked as Game Management chief, assistant chief in both Game and Fisheries Management, fisheries region supervisor in Fort Valley, and fisheries biologist in southeast Georgia.
He has a master’s in wildlife ecology from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s degree in forest resources from UGA. He and his wife Tracey and their sons Jackson and Slaton live in Bogart. All are avid hunters and anglers.
Ted has always had a heart for the people of Georgia, as well as for WRD staff. He is immensely qualified to serve as director, and I know he will serve you and all Georgians well.
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 Shooting using digital targeting at the Ranges at Oakfield (Thomas County)
WRD and local officials recently celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art shooting range in Thomasville. Now shooting enthusiasts are doing the same.
The Ranges at Oakfield features a 100-yard rifle range, a 25-yard pistol range, two trap and skeet fields, and a five-stand shotgun range. Future plans include adding an archery course and 3D archery targets at Oakfield, one of more than 40 public archery and shooting ranges in the state.
DNR Commissioner Mark Williams said the sporting arms and ammunition industry generates more than $27 billion and 88,000-plus jobs in the U.S., with an estimated economic impact of $478 million in Georgia. “And now, right here, you have this outstanding shooting sport center that is sure to be a significant draw for recreational target shooters,” Williams told the crowd gathered for the range's Oct. 8 grand opening.
In 2014, Thomas County officials began exploring options for a range and for providing public opportunities to learn shooting techniques and gun safety. A 2018 partnership with DNR led to a grant that – combined with a match from the county – supported construction of the Ranges at Oakfield.
Thomas County commission Chairman Phillip Brown said the county “pushed our range to the next level” by choosing digital targeting by Kongsberg Target Systems over paper targets.
“During our soft opening … customers (were) extremely happy with this system, not only from the safety aspect of not having to go downrange but also the convenience of firing multiple times without checking paper. Additionally, the accuracy of the targets is well above our expectations and our customer’s dreams.”
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 Exploring wildlife and history on Georgia’s coast is easier and more engaging thanks to a new website and app features.
Creating georgiabirdingtrails.com and adding a trail function to the Go Outdoors Georgia app – work led by Public Affairs' Beth Quillian and webmaster Amanda Hrubesh – are key to an expanded Georgia Birding and Wildlife Trails program. The focus is the strong interest statewide in wildlife viewing, activities that involved an estimated 2.4 million people in 2011 and expenditures totaling $1.8 billion.
The upgrades offer improved accessibility to wildlife viewing resources.
The first trail updated is Georgia’s oldest. Created in 1999, the Colonial Coast Birding Trail links 17 birding and wildlife hotspots from Fort Pulaski in Savannah to Cumberland Island off St. Marys. The lineup of federal, state and local sites provides rich opportunities to see wildlife, connect with nature and experience coastal history – all now easier to find and enjoy with the website and app add-ons.
The changes are attracting plenty of attention. Over the last four weeks, georgiabirdingtrails.com logged about 1,430 views.
LEARN MORE
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 Fishing at Rocky Mountain PFA
Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area (PFA) is now WRD’s. Management of the 5,000-acre PFA in northwest Georgia changed from the DNR State Parks and Historic Sites Division to the Fisheries Management Section on Oct. 1. Rocky Mountain is operated via a partnership between DNR and Oglethorpe Power Corp.
The PFA has two fishing lakes totaling 559 acres. The lakes are fertilized and intensively managed for high-quality fishing for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish and walleye. Rocky Mountain also has a visitor center, 45-site campground, designated swimming area, archery range and miles of hiking trails.
More than 300,000 visitors a year enjoy the ample opportunities to fish, hunt, camp, hike, bike, boat and swim in a mountain setting.
Region 1 Fisheries Management welcomes the PFA's current staff to WRD. Those employees include PFA manager Dennis Shiley, assistant manager Shawn Lewis, maintenance workers Wayne Keef and Steve Cason, and administrative clerk Susan Stern. This crew runs a great facility and WRD looks forward to sharing in the continued success of operating Rocky Mountain as a PFA.
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 New bridge on Ossabaw's High Causeway (DNR)
Getting around Ossabaw has gotten easier. Renovations at three areas along the island’s causeway have replaced 36-inch culverts with 40-feet concrete bridges.
These sites have been a constant source of maintenance issues for staff, particularly when hurricanes hit. The bridges will increase the tidal flow at each point and should reduce erosion issues.
The work is part of a settlement through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a 2004 oil spill in the Savannah River harbor. Enhancing tidal flow served as mitigation for the spill.
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 New boat ramp on the Alapaha in Berrien County (DNR)
Fisheries Management’s Boating Access Program continues to add boat ramps across Georgia. Two will be opened soon, one each in south Georgia’s Berrien County and on the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County. Here’s a look at the facilities made possible by Sport Fish Restoration Program funds and a state match.
On Ga. 168 in Berrien County, an old ramp made of concrete “logs” – many of which had become dislodged – is being replaced on the Alapaha River. The changes also include more parking and an entrance road marked by standard signage.
County staff helped with preliminary steps that allowed the Boating Access crew to move in and get this project done.
In Chattahoochee Hills in south Fulton, a new ramp is being installed at Campbellton Park. The project on land WRD is leasing from the city will provide years of fishing and recreational opportunities along this stretch of the ’Hooch. Amenities include parking for trailered vehicles, ADA spaces and program signage.
Fisheries Management appreciates the partnership with Chattahoochee Hills and Berrien County, and looks forward to working with both on operating the ramps.
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 Parks District 7 and state Volunteer of the Year J. Mincy Moffett Jr., center, with Oconee officials (Oconee County)
Wildlife Conservation Section botanist Dr. J. Mincy Moffett Jr. is the Georgia Recreation and Park Association's Volunteer of the Year. Moffett was recognized for installing, maintaining and promoting a Connect to Protect garden at Veterans Park in Oconee County. Originally named the top volunteer for the association’s northeast Georgia district, Moffett was surprised to learn at a recent Oconee Board of Commissioners meeting that he also landed the statewide award. Officials praised his work, noting that “connecting people to nature is a core value in Parks and Recreation" and Mincy’s efforts will enhance for park users "a greater understanding and appreciation of the connections between plants, animals and people.”
With deer season going strong, hunters can track the kill across the state on Georgia’s Deer Harvest Dashboard. For in-the-field insights, WRD resources include a statewide rut map and blog posts covering everything from hunting tips to proper disposal of a deer carcass.
Two grant deadlines to keep in mind and tell others about: Nov. 20 is the cutoff for Georgia K-fifth grade teachers to apply for WRD’s $1,000 Conservation Teacher of the Year grant. Meanwhile, organizations interested in a 2021 Wildlife Viewing Grant have until Jan. 8 to get their applications in.
 Tim Trone with his state-record blue catfish (special to DNR)
Big blue, monster blue, fat cat: No matter your favorite nickname, the 110-pound, 6-ounce blue catfish that Florida angler Tim Trone pulled from the upper end of Lake Walter F. George Oct. 17 is also known by this moniker – state record. The nearly 5-foot-long catch beat Georgia’s previous best by more than 17 pounds.
As North Atlantic right whales return to calve off the Georgia and north Florida coast, NOAA released a draft estimate showing the population of these endangered whales dropping from 412 in January 2018 to 366 in January 2019. WRD lead marine mammal biologist Clay George said that while the new estimate is very concerning, he is more concerned with the population trend. After peaking at 481 in 2011, North Atlantic right whale numbers have spiraled down, in large part because of whales lost to ship strikes and entanglement in commercial fishing ropes.
Miss a WRD WeAreDNR issue? Catch up here! And let us know if you have comments or know of a WRD retiree who would like to receive the e-newsletter.
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 As noted , WRD Director Rusty Garrison is retiring and current Assistant Director Ted Will (above) begins as the new director Dec. 1. The next issue of this newsletter will feature Will’s thoughts on the division, but suffice it to say he is looking forward to serving WRD customers and staff. DNR Commissioner Mark Williams said he is "beyond confident that (Will) will continue the division’s outstanding legacy known across the country of protecting and conserving Georgia’s wildlife, while wisely expanding access for Georgians for generations to come.”
 Shan Cammack and Burner Bob (Randy Tate/Longleaf Alliance)
Senior wildlife biologist Shan Cammack received the Burner Bob Prescribed Fire Champion award at the Longleaf Alliance’s virtual Biennial Longleaf Conference last month. The Wildlife Conservation Section fire management officer is a high-energy ambassador for prescribed fire, promoting it through leadership, training, work in the field and outreach, including in this award-winning video of Burner Bob.
Game Management’s Robert Horan and Craig Jacobs helped with a UGA doctoral student’s study of tree rings in ancient, dead bald cypress at Altamaha Wildlife Management Area that is documenting 5,000 years of climatic change on the Georgia coast. For Kat Napora’s dendrochronology analysis, Horan (photo at left by Napora) and Jacobs chainsawed slices called “cookies” from the trees, many of which were buried in mud. Albany blogger James Malphrus is exploring Georgia WMAs, from Chickasawhatchee to Horse Creek, Crockford-Pigeon Mountain and River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka, and churning out some interesting posts in the process. Check out these public-land journals on WRD’s Georgia Wildlife blog and Malphrus’ blog jcma.today.
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 In lieu of the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative's usual wrap-up meeting following the turtle nesting season, Wildlife Conservation technician Ashley Raybould and senior wildlife biologist Mark Dodd worked with cooperative members to produce the informative – and, yes, entertaining – video above of nest monitoring in 2020.
 Bob Tosh, left; Capt. Stan Elrod (DNR)
In memoriam: Region 5 Game Management staff mourned the passing of Bob Tosh, 90, on Sept. 27. Known as Mr. Bob, Tosh retired from his own business in 1994 and began a 25-year career with WRD, meticulously maintaining the region office and grounds in Albany and even later starting what became a tradition: preparing his "DNR family" sausage biscuits every Friday morning. DNR Capt. Stan Elrod, 49, was laid to rest in Toccoa Sept. 8. The 28-year Law Enforcement Division veteran and supervisor of the Law Enforcement Division's Gainesville-based Region 2 was exercising along a road near his Danielsville home when he was hit by a driver now facing vehicular homicide, DUI and other charges. Among his many accomplishments, Elrod was a founding member of DNR's Honor Guard, Ranger of the Year in 1999 and a board member of the Outdoor Dream Foundation.
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WRD We Are DNR recipients for the third quarter include:
Donna Wilson, Fisheries Management (Region 6, Richmond Hill) – As region AOC, Donna has many responsibilities, from greeting customers to making sure operational procedures are performed and budgetary needs met. While much of this work is behind the scenes, it is critical to the successful operation of Region 6. There also have been times when she has "rescued" staff stranded in the field. Recently, she graciously helped two employees who needed to make an emergency purchase well after hours. Her willingness to help resolved a difficult situation. While the work Donna and her fellow AOCs do may not make headlines, their contributions are vital to WRD’s continued success.
Lauren Long, Fisheries Management (Region 2, Gainesville) – Lauren serves WRD customers by providing the most up-to-date information in the most friendly way. Throughout the challenges posed by COVID-19, she has maintained a positive and professional attitude, effectively helping staff and quickly answering questions and navigating customers to the right resources. In addition to answering the always ringing phone, Lauren manages staff fuel receipts, fuel/maintenance reminders, fish kill on-call schedules, security trainings and monthly reports. She has also taken it upon herself to learn more about the different aspects of WRD, including those outside of fisheries, and about hunting, fishing and conservation in general.
Chad Sexton, Fisheries Management (Region 6, Richmond Hill) – As a fisheries technician, Chad is frequently in contact with the public, at the office, at the gas station, on the water. In each opportunity, he provides exemplary customer service, treating all with respect and taking time to thoroughly answer customers’ questions. This willingness not only provides information people need, it strengthens the rapport between WRD and our constituents. In addition to many other activities, Chad also recently served in a different field capacity involving a surgery recovery. For almost two decades, he has done any task needed, represented the agency well and served as an important part of our team.
We Are DNR awards allow all WRD employees to recognize associates for exemplary work. Just click the button below and answer the brief questions.
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The WRD champions chosen by section chiefs for the past quarter are:
Game Management
Bobby Lord, wildlife technician – Most of Bobby’s 27 years with WRD have been spent as area manager of Oconee WMA. Bobby plants and keeps food plots, dove fields and waterfowl impoundments on Oconee in such immaculate condition the WMA is nicknamed “the country club.” Frequent users, some of whom have been camping and hunting at Oconee for nearly two decades, are quick to tell you how good of a job he is doing. Bobby has also honed his ability to trap and band doves. He banded 249 this year, nearly a fifth of the doves banded statewide. He would have done more but he ran out of bands! After the wildlife tech 4 retired last year, Bobby assumed the supervisory role, making sure WMA staff had what they needed to prep for hunting, planting and burning seasons. Bobby is also a pleasure to work with: He wants to get things done and enjoys having fun while doing them.
Fisheries Management
Caleb Mills, assistant manager, Evans County Public Fishing Area – Caleb is a key part of a new effort within the PFA system. Thanks to the late state Sen. Jack Hill and the local business community, WRD built and is now operating a full-service RV and tent campground and an 85-person event center at Evans PFA. The campground has been welcomed, and Caleb has been a large part of its success, spending hours building the amenities, keeping up the grounds and making sure guests at the campground and throughout the PFA have what they need for an enjoyable visit. Because of the additions, visitation has increased significantly. Caleb has taken the increased responsibilities in stride. This summer, he even brought his own RV and filled in as campground host when the volunteer host had to cancel at the last minute, serving guests and providing security for the property.
Wildlife Conservation
Joe Burnam, wildlife biologist – Joe exemplifies what it means to be a wildlife biologist through his expertise, work ethic, teaching, eagerness to learn and passion for the resources and WRD’s mission. As the agency's lead red-cockaded woodpecker biologist, he visits Safe Harbor properties each year to evaluate RCW clusters, an effort that has built relationships and informed 100-plus landowners about conservation principles. He monitors about 60 RCW clusters on WMAs. When Hurricane Michael destroyed nearly half the cavity trees at Silver Lake, Joe and coworkers installed more than 90 cavity inserts within two weeks. He conducts prescribed burns, assists with wildlife surveys and pursues grants, including helping acquire one of the first Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grants (to restore longleaf on state lands). He is also focused on teaching and mentoring, from leading school and landowner field trips to writing articles and contributing to social media stories, including the award-winning Return to River Creek story map.
Congratulations to all of these employees. Thanks to each for helping WRD excel at customer service and continue to pursue its mission.
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Changes for July through mid-October (hourly positions not included).
HIRED
- Abigail Abbas Abouhamdan, WCS (WRCC), GIS specialist 1
- Keely Meredith Bowen, Director's Office, administrative support 2
- William Benston Lewis II, Game Management (Sapelo Island), vessel captain 1
- Robert Marion Martin Jr., Game (Region 3, Di-Lane Plantation), wildlife tech 1
- Gemma Christine Milly, Wildlife Conservation (WRCC), wildlife biologist 2
- Melissa Ariella Paduani, WCS (Charlie Elliott), curator/preservationist 2
- Kyle George Trenda, Fisheries Management (Region 2, Gainesville), fisheries tech 2
- Rhonikki Latresse Williams, Game Management (Sapelo NERR/Visitor Center), administrative support 1
PROMOTED
- Robert Allen Andrews, Game (Region 1, Armuchee), wildlife tech 2
- William Zachary Brock, Fisheries (Region 3, Fort Valley), fisheries tech 3
- William David Cartwright, Game (Region 4, Fitzgerald), wildlife tech 3
- Cody West Elrod, Game (Region 6, Brunswick), wildlife tech 2
- Dustin Vickers Exum, Game (Region 6, Brunswick), wildlife tech 2
- Chalisa Nestell Fabillar, Fisheries (Region 3, Fort Valley), fisheries tech 3
- Connie Marie Hopkins, License and Boat Registration, customer service representative 2
- Ryan Christopher Hurley, Game (Forest Management Unit), forester 3
- Travis R. Ingram, Fisheries (Region 5, Albany) fisheries biologist 3
- David Patrick James, Game (Waterfowl Habitat Program), wildlife tech 2
- Randy Alex James, Game (Region 6, Brunswick), wildlife tech 2
- Jacob Lee Rogers, Game (Region 5, Albany), wildlife tech 2
- Jackson C. Sibley, Fisheries (Region 1, Armuchee), fisheries biologist 2
- Brent L. Womack, Game (Region 1, Armuchee), manager 2/natural resources
RESIGNED
- Kenny Dawayne Jones II, Fisheries (Stream Survey Team), natural resources program worker
- Aurora Skie Geoghagan, Game (Sapelo), vessel mate 1
- Zaara Kidwai, Game (administrative support), wildlife biologist 1
- John M. Kilpatrick, Fisheries (Region 5, Albany), fisheries biologist 3
- Laci Love Pattavina, WCS (WRCC), wildlife biologist 2
- Edward L. Rogers, Game (Region 1, Armuchee), natural resources program worker
- Matthew Orin Swords, Game (Hunter Development), training/development specialist 2
- Jacob William Synnott, Fisheries (Region 5, Albany), fisheries tech 2
- John D. Tannehill, Fisheries (Region 3, Fort Valley), fisheries tech 3
- Jennifer Nicole Ward, WCS (Forsyth), natural resources program worker
RETIRED
- John A. Bearden, Game (Region 3, Thomson), wildlife tech supervisor
- Janice D. Everson, License and Boat Registration, customer service representative 3
- Yvonne J. Grovner, Game (Sapelo NERR/ Visitor Center), curator/preservationist 1
- Dwight G. Waters, Game (Region 4, Fitzgerald), wildlife biologist 3
TRANSFERRED
- Melanie Marie Holthaus, Director’s Office, human resources generalist 1
- Loyd Wayne Keef, Fisheries (Rocky Mountain PFA), facility maintenance worker 3
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