The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (DNR/WRD) recently purchased 2,400 acres of land in Georgia’s Red Hills Region near Thomasville to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and protect the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Located in Thomas County, River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will protect 4.2 miles of frontage along the scenic Ochlockonee River, with bottomland pine-hardwood forests as well as upland longleaf pine forest and four miles along Barnett’s Creek. The acquisition of this land was made possible through project partners including The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Gov. Sonny Perdue, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Weekend for Wildlife donors including Georgia Power, the Williams Family Foundation, William H. Flowers, Jr. Foundation, Balfour Land Company, and Kauka Farms, Inc.

“The citizens of Georgia should be proud that in a time of rapid growth and development, the State was able to acquire this natural treasure that is a haven for rare plants and wildlife in Georgia,” says DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb. “Through the cooperation of the project partners, the purchase of this valuable natural resource was made possible to ensure its continued protection and wise management for many generations to enjoy.”

“We were delighted to have been able to assist the DNR and other partners with the protection of this priority property for public use and benefit as it complements the 45,000 acres in the Red Hills that are permanently protected by private landowners through conservation easements,” said Rex Boner, Vice President of The Conservation Fund.

The property contains the finest example of fire-maintained longleaf pine forest on state lands and provides habitat for numerous species such as the gopher tortoise, northern bobwhite

quail, Bachman’s sparrow and potentially the red-cockaded woodpecker. The mature floodplain

forest along the Ochlockonee River harbors numerous species of neotropical migrant songbirds as well as many game species such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

“State management of this tract, which lies adjacent to Greenwood Plantation, will facilitate

recovery efforts for the red-cockaded woodpecker and other rare species associated with longleaf pine communities and also will protect water quality in the Ochlockonee River, a high priority stream for conservation,” said WRD Nongame Wildlife & Natural Heritage Section Chief Mike Harris.

Limited hunting will be available on River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka WMA during the upcoming hunting season. It will be administered through a quota system and will include: dove (adult/child hunts only), deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, quail, and waterfowl (adult/child hunts only). Interested parties should apply by letter to: Georgia DNR, Game Management Region 5, 2024 Newton Road, Albany, Georgia 31701. Please refer to page 26 of the 2005-06 Hunting Seasons and Regulations for quota hunt application deadlines and dates of hunts.

Future opportunities for public recreation on River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka WMA include hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife observation and special Kid’s Fishing Events.

“I am thrilled that we were able to secure such an important piece of property in Southwest Georgia, giving thousands of people an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors close to home,” says Cader Cox, DNR board member of Camilla.

For more information on River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka WMA, contact the Albany WRD Game Management Office at (229) 430-4254 or visit www.georgiawildlife.com and click on the Hunting icon.

Partial funding for the acquisition of this property was provided from sales of the nongame wildlife license plate. Georgians can support the conservation of nongame wildlife by purchasing a bald eagle wildlife license plate for their vehicle or by donating to the “Give Wildlife a Chance” State Income Tax Checkoff. Sales of the bald eagle/American flag license plate are the primary source of funding for the WRD Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Section.

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