Forestry for Wildlife
Our forests are more than just a renewable resource. They foster wildlife habitats, preserve beautiful natural areas for recreation and even provide jobs. Now you can join us in helping conserve these natural areas simply by using and being aware of these sensitive areas.
Enjoy these special places
Georgia Power is the largest private provider of public use land in Georgia. Approximately 30,000 acres (or 38 percent) of company land is leased and managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) and state parks to enhance wildlife habitat and provide outdoor recreation to the public.
Wildlife Management Areas provide opportunities for big and small game hunting and excellent fishing. Campers, hikers, bird watchers, and nature lovers can enjoy the beauty of the forests and waterways in these areas. Canoeing, bike riding, and archery are available in some of the WMA's and many provide nature trails with interpretive signs describing the benefits and characteristics of our natural resources.
We also provide resources to support wildlife and protect habitats.
- Long term management of timber stands has preserved breeding areas for both game and non-game species.
- M.A.R.S.H. projects (Matching Aid to Restore State's Habitat), a joint effort of Ducks Unlimited, the DNR, and Georgia Power, provides and enhances wetland habitat for ducks and geese, as well as other game and non-game.
- Georgia Power, the WRD, and the National Wild Turkey Federation have formed a partnership to enhance wild turkey populations on the wildlife management areas owned by Georgia Power.
- Eight federally listed and many state listed threatened or endangered species inhabit the land we own. Georgia Power land management foresters follow federal and state laws and guidelines to protect these species, their nesting sites, and their habitat. Georgia Power also participates and cooperates with the WRD for surveying to preserve listed plant and animal species.
You, too, can join the cause by contacting one of these groups:
- Atlanta Audubon Society
- Buck-a-Rama
- Chattahoochee Nature Center
- Ducks Unlimited
- Fish-a-Rama
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia Environmental Organization (GEO)
- Georgia Forestry Association Annual Conference
- Georgia Wildlife Federation
- Izaak Walton League
- O'Neill Williams Fishing Show
- Outdoor Activity Center
- Quail Unlimited
- Riverkeeper
- Tall Timbers
- The Environmental Resource Network (T.E.R.N.)
- Trout Unlimited
Additional resources
Our Land Department develops display exhibits focusing on forestry, wildlife management, and outdoor recreation as well as brochures highlighting company owned parks, lakes, and wildlife management areas (WMAs).
We also make presentations on forestry and wildlife management practices. In fact, close to 250 Georgia Power employees participate in the Environmental Teachers Corp which has made several hundred environmental presentations at schools across the state.
Conserving Forests
The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership Program (FWP) was formed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and corporate forest landowners to conserve forests for wildlife.
Georgia Power became a partner in 1999. Our resource managers, foresters, and wildlife biologists manage approximately 82,000 acres of land. They evaluate each tract separately, blending wildlife and timber and promoting habitat diversity across the landscape.
Contact us for more information about this page.
