Funding

Weekend for Wildlife

Every year in February the Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program hosts the Weekend for Wildlife. Held the second full weekend in February at the Cloister resort on Sea Island, Weekend for Wildlife mixes adventure excursions to Georgias wild barrier islands with a spectacular auction and banquet to create the ideal getaway for concerned wildlife enthusiasts. Last year over $260,000 was raised for nongame management projects. Registration for this unique event opens in October. You may obtain a brochure by contacting the Wildlife Resources Division Headquarters at (770) 918-6400 after November 15.

State Income Tax Checkoff

Georgians can also support our states nongame wildlife at tax time each year. Created in 1989, the State Income Tax Checkoff provides an easy way for Georgians to donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund. By filling in a dollar amount on line 27 of the long form (Form 500) or line 10 of the short form (Form 500EZ), citizens can make a direct donation to support nongame species management and conservation in Georgia. Once the primary source of funding for the Nongame Program, the State Income Tax Checkoff peaked in donations at $500,000 in 1992 and has since averaged approximately $250,000 per year in contributions.

Wildlife Conservation License Plate

Hummingbird and bald eagle wildlife license plates provide an excellent way for Georgians to show their support for wildlife and contribute to the Wildlife Conservation Fund.  Funds from the sale of both nongame wildlife license plates in Georgia benefit the Wildlife Conservation Fund.  Funds are used exclusively for conservation, education and recreation projects focusing on Georgia's endangered and nongame wildlife and plants.  The funds have also been used to purchase and preserve habitat.  Hummingbird and bald eagle tags are available in your local county tag office or online at www.dmvs.ga.gov .

The Environmental Resources Network

A group of citizens who share an interest in wildlife conservation joined in 1992 to form T.E.R.N. -- The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. T.E.R.N. is a nonprofit (501c3) organization and is the official "Friends Group" of the Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program whose mission is to aid in the financial support of the Program and its vital conservation projects. Each year at the groups annual meeting in May, members vote on projects to be funded during the coming fiscal year. Projects for which T.E.R.N. has provided funding include a bald eagle educational display, Sanctuary on the Sapelo bald eagle captive breeding facility, "Georgias Traveling Songsters" poster, International Migratory Bird Day educational materials, manatee tracking equipment, backyard habitat management publications and many others.

In addition to aiding the Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program by providing financial support, members receive a semi-annual newsletter and the opportunity to participate in unique wildlife-related field trips and management/education projects. Plus, all donations to T.E.R.N. are tax-deductible!

For membership information, please call (478) 994-1438.