2024 FISCAL YEAR SUMMARY CONSERVING GEORGIA'S WILDLIFE MAKING A DIFFERENCE CONSERVING WILDLIFE RESTORING HABITAT ENG A GING GEORGIANS Our mission at Georgia DNR's Wildlife Conservation Section is to save and restore native wildlife that aren't fished for or hunted, plus rare plants and the natural habitats these species need. This work is guided by the State Wildlife Action Plan a comprehensive strategy for protecting animals, plants and places before they become more scarce and costly to conserve. Georgia is extremely rich in wildlife. But we need your help to keep it that way. To learn more, scan the code or visit georgiawildlife.com/conservation/ annualreport. Tricolored bats in a culvert weep hole (Laci Pattavina/DNR) DNR's Bob Sargent and Liz Morata monitor a common ravens nest at Tallulah Gorge HIGHLIGHTS n Returned rare red-cockaded woodpeckers to n Helped set a DNR prescribed fire record of Sprewell Bluff WMA after a 50-year absence. 96,600 acres burned while also meeting new n Teamed with Georgia DOT on historic agreements air quality standards. to protect bat habitat and streamline roadwork. n Monitored increases in rare mussels in n Documented the short life of a North Atlantic right whale calf hit by a vessel, underscoring southwest Georgia and sicklefin redhorse in northwest Georgia. the threats these imperiled whales face. n Recorded more than 19,000 colonial wading n Combated invasive species, from Chinese privet in Montezuma Bluffs swamps to tegus in bird nests in the first Coastal Plain-wide survey since 1996. Toombs and Tattnall counties. n Came within one site of the Gopher Tortoise n Worked with Mercer University to strengthen Conservation Initiative's goal to protect 65 populations of endangered fringed campion. populations in Georgia. (Tip: No. 65 is in n Found and promoted for bird-friendly viewing the works!) a state-rare nest of common ravens at n Informed thousands about wildlife via social Tallulah Gorge. media, events, camps and teacher workshops. Right whale mom Juno and her injured calf off Sapelo Island in February 2024 ( DNR/NOAA MMHSRP permit 24359) FULL REPORT AT georgiawildlife.com/conservation/annualreport Income tax checkoff 9% ($505,802) FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Earned interest 9% ($484,215) Donations & other income 19% ($995,399) Professional services (contracts, fees) 15% ($695,766) Personnel 66% ($3,018,607) REVENUE $5,372,110 Weekend for Wildlife* 31% ($1,690,608) License plates 32% ($1,696,086) Revenue to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund. Does not include grants or state appropriations for the Wildlife Conservation Section.. *2024 Weekend for Wildlife revenue disbursed by the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation in fiscal 2025. EXPENDITURES $4,558,271 Operations 19% ($843,898) Expenditures paid through the Nongame Fund. Swallow-tailed kite (Brian Mitchell) NONGAME WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FUND Listed in millions per year REVENUE EXPENSES BALANCE 10 M 10 M 9 M 9 M 8 M 8 M 7 M 7 M 6 M 6 M 5 M 5 M 4 M 4 M 3 M 3 M 2 M 2 M 1 M 1 M FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 DNR's Joyce Sanks with an egg sampled from a loggerhead sea turtle nest DID YOU KNOW? State funding made up less than one half of 1% of the Wildlife Conservation Section's research and conservation budget in fiscal 2024. That means we depend on fundraisers, grants and donations. Join with us as a supporter, volunteer, landowner or organization and give wildlife a chance! Firefly survey crew near Lake Hartwell (Special to DNR) HOW YOU CAN HELP BUY an eagle or monarch butterfly license plate or renew these or an older design, like the hummingbird tag. Most of the $25 fee goes directly to wildlife! DONATE to the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com. Simply click "Licenses and Permits" to create an account and give. CONTRIBUTE through the Wildlife Conservation Fund state income-tax checkoff. Details at georgiawildlife.com/donations. PURCHASE a hunting or fishing license. A license returns to Georgia wildlife the fee plus up to $45 in federal excise taxes paid by hunters and anglers. VOLUNTEER with DNR and join conservation organizations such as our friends group, The Environmental Resources Network. More at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com and tern.homestead.com. "We are incredibly thankful to all of our partners who work with us to conserve Georgia's amazing biodiversity and natural beauty. From individuals to foundations, nonprofits and businesses, your support is critical. We sincerely appreciate the donations, collaborations and connections that make our mission possible." Matt Elliott | Chief, Wildlife Conservation Section FOLLOW US Sign up for our free e-newsletter Georgia Wild at georgiawildlife.com GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES | WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SECTION PHOTO CREDITS COVER: Endangered fringed campion INSIDE COVER: Finelined pocketbook mussel | Monarch butterfly on aquatic milkweed Outdoor Wildlife Leadership School participants in north Georgia | Red-cockaded woodpecker All photos are from DNR unless noted.