Wildlife poster contest winners named; donation options available

SOCIAL CIRCLE – Helping keep Georgia wild just got easier.

Wildlife lovers can now donate online to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, dedicated by state law to conserving and protecting Georgia wildlife.

The recent addition to www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com allows users to donate a set amount or round up license purchases and renewals, with the extra going to conservation.

There’s even a $15 Keep Georgia Wild package. It bundles a $10 donation with a one-day hunting/fishing license. Licenses not only provide sporting privileges and access to state wildlife management and public fishing areas, they return for Georgia wildlife work a greater share of federal excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers. A $5 one-day license is worth the $5 fee plus an estimated $45 in excise taxes.

Contributions are critical to restoring and protecting rare and other wildlife, from loggerhead sea turtles to southeastern American kestrels. This work led by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section depends mainly on grants, fundraisers and direct donations.

To help with conservation efforts, Department of Natural Resources officials announced that 12 school children had been named statewide winners in the Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest.

Nearly 1,400 kindergarten through fifth-grade students from 31 public schools, private schools and homeschool groups participated in the 28th annual conservation art competition, according to DNR and the State Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia.

Participants entered at the local school level with drawings and paintings of Georgia’s native plants and animals in line with the 2018 contest theme “Nature at Night.” Drawings were judged on aspects such as theme, originality and the quality and impact of the artwork. Top school-level entries proceeded to the state contest at The State Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Winning submissions are showcased on the DNR Wildlife Resources Division’s Flickr site, www.flickr.com/photos/wildliferesourcesdivision (in the “Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest” album).

Nongame wildlife refers to the 95 percent of native Georgia species not fished for or hunted. Rare native plants and natural habitats are also a focus of the fund.

Nongame Conservation Section Chief Jon Ambrose said these animals, plants and places are part of the state’s heritage and key to Georgians’ quality of life.

“These are precious, finite natural resources that Georgia citizens want to conserve and pass on to succeeding generations,” Ambrose said.

To donate, interested persons may visit www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, DNR’s license and permit website. Click “Licenses and Permits” and choose a donation option.

Learn more about the plan at www.georgiawildlife.com/wildlifeactionplan. Explore the Nongame Conservation Section’s work at www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/annualreport.

Georgians also can support this effort by:

— Buying or renewing a DNR eagle or hummingbird license plate. Most fees from sales and renewals go to nongame conservation. Upgrade to a “wild” tag for only $25. Details at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenseplates.

— Donating directly to the agency, www.georgiawildlife.com/donations.

Statewide poster contest winners in the four grade divisions were:

DIVISION 1: KINDERGARTEN

First: Braylen Harrison, 6, Funston Elementary, Funston

Second: Raimee Brown, 6, Pine Log Elementary, Rydal

Third: William Speir, 5, St. Joseph Catholic Parish School, Athens

DIVISION 2: FIRST-SECOND GRADES

First: Suri Nguyen, 7, first grade, Jackson Elementary School of the Arts, Jonesboro

Second: Logan Cordes, 7, first grade, South Effingham Elementary, Guyton

Third: Julie Smith, 8, second grade, Art by Gwen Studio, Vidalia

DIVISION 3: THIRD-FOURTH GRADES

First: Amore Morgan, 10, fourth grade, Jackson Elementary School of the Arts, Jonesboro

Second: Madelyn West, 8, third grade, Art by Gwen Studio, Vidalia

Third: Kady Dennis, 9, fourth grade, Mountain View Elementary, Ellijay

DIVISION 4: FIFTH GRADE

First: Deztiny Favors, 10, Williams Elementary, Savannah

Second: Jenna Morgan, 10, Funston Elementary, Funston

Third: Rachel Wicker, 10, St. Joseph Catholic Parish School, Athens

The winning artwork will be on display in the Visitor Center & Conservatory at the State Botanical Garden in Athens from May 9-16, along with other state-level entries.

The State Botanical Garden is home to a range of collections, displays and trails. The garden offers an array of educational programs for teachers, children and the public, including summer camps. Check the garden’s website (http://botgarden.uga.edu) or call (706) 542-1244 for hours and directions. This public garden is a gift to vis­i­tors and Georgia resi­dents; therefore, parking and admission are free.

The Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest is sponsored by the DNR Wildlife Resources Division, the State Botanical Garden at UGA and The Environmental Resources Network, or TERN, friends group of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Nongame Conservation Section. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest or call the Nongame Conservation Section, (706) 557-3226.