For more information contact:
Beth Brown, DNR Director of Communications: (404) 463-2092
Robin Hill, Public Affairs Coordinator: (770) 918-6789
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Place Your Bid Now!
One of A Kind Opportunities Available to Benefit Wildlife Conservation
Social Circle, Ga. (February 2, 2005) - Exclusive opportunities with Governor Sonny Perdue, original artwork by renowned artist Peggy Everett and jewelry by Atlanta's own Eddie Knox, one-of-a-kind vacation destinations and low-numbered wildlife license plates are just a few of the items that will be auctioned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) at the annual Weekend for Wildlife, scheduled for February 11 - 12, 2005 at The Cloister on Sea Island. This year, all Georgians have an opportunity to join in the fun and show their support for wildlife conservation by placing a bid on one of these items. Verbal auction item descriptions and guidelines are available on-line at www.georgiawildlife.com and clicking on "Nongame Animals and Plants" and then "2005 Weekend for Wildlife". The opportunity to place bids on these items for consideration at the auction is only available through February 8, 2005.
The Weekend for Wildlife is an annual fundraiser to benefit nongame wildlife conservation in Georgia. Now in its 17th year, the Weekend for Wildlife has generated more than $3.5 million for wildlife conservation throughout the state since its inception. The event features guided tours of coastal destinations as well as a silent and verbal auction. Governor and Mrs. Perdue attend the event as special guests of honor. Limited space and sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling (770) 918-6400.
"Funding for nongame wildlife conservation is one of the greatest challenges facing wildlife agencies in the United States," said DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb. "While DNR is charged with the management and protection of these species, which includes songbirds, sea turtles, right whales, bald eagles, and many others, the agency receives no state funding for these activities. One of the unique ways that our state generates funding for nongame wildlife conservation is through the annual Weekend for Wildlife."
Unique items that will be offered in the 2005 Weekend for Wildlife verbal auction include:
· Dinner for 12 guests at the recently renovated and reopened historic Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville, Georgia hosted by Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue, Commissioner and Mrs. Noel Holcomb, Georgia College and State University President Dorothy Leland and DNR, Historic Preservation Division Director Ray Luce.
· A weekend escape to the Reynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island for ten guests, included a guided fishing excursion for redfish from the island's pristine beaches.
· An original oil painting featuring a magnificent scene in a longleaf pine forest by Peggy Everett, a nationally renowned wildlife artist.
· A guided family expedition and overnight stay at the remote Hike Inn at Amicalola Falls State Park led by DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb and his family.
· One-of-a-kind wildlife jewelry featuring by Atlanta's own Eddie Knox featuring a rare red-cockaded woodpecker, handcrafted into a ladies lapel pin with agate, enamel and yellow and white gold.
· An exclusive hunt for wild bobwhite quail at the privately-owned Osceola Plantation in Thomasville, Georgia with Governor Sonny Perdue.
Signed bids will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 and may be sent to the attention of Robin Hill by e-mail (robin_hill@dnr.state.ga.us) or fax (706-557-3030). All bids will be held confidentially until provided to the Weekend for Wildlife auctioneer for consideration at the event. Winning bidders that are not present at the Weekend for Wildlife will be notified by Tuesday, February 15, 2005.
###
Click Here To Return To The Previous Page
