SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (Dec. 6, 1999) ¯ Governor Roy Barnes today recognized Georgia Power Company and Weyerhaeuser as the 1999 Forestry for Wildlife Program (FWP) Partners. The program was created when corporate forest landowners joined the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and several conservation organizations to develop a formal, comprehensive wildlife conservation partnership program. "Georgia Power and Weyerhaeuser should be very proud of their accomplishments," said Gov. Barnes. "Since 93 percent of the land in Georgia is privately owned, it is important to take an innovative approach to natural resource management. The Forestry for Wildlife Program is an excellent example of what can result when a state agency joins hands with private industry to manage Georgia`s natural resources."

FWP is an annual program that is voluntary, flexible, non-competitive and participant driven. FWP promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers a variety of wildlife enhancement choices from which corporate forest landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.

"Georgia Power is pleased to partner with the state to conserve our wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations," said Georgia Power CEO David Ratcliffe. "The Forestry for Wildlife Program gives us the opportunity to be good stewards of Georgia`s natural resources and we are proud to be a full Partner."

WRD recognizes Georgia Power and Weyerhaeuser as FWP Partners for the integration of wildlife conservation practices into their forest management programs. Some of these practices include:

• Preparing wildlife conservation plans detailing natural resources inventories and outlining the management strategies for blending forest management with wildlife management.
• Providing internal training opportunities for employees on how to blend forest land management with "wildlife friendly" practices for multiple natural resource benefits.
• Incorporating wildlife management techniques into current land-use planning and timber management practices.
• Providing valuable data for WRD research projects.
• Providing public recreational opportunities on forest lands.
• Participating in various partnerships with conservation organizations through programs such as Partners in Flight, the Longleaf Alliance, the Breeding Bird Atlas and the Georgia Herp Atlas.
• Managing riparian forests for wildlife use and water quality protection.

All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the American Forest and Paper Association`s Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The initiative is a voluntary approach within the forest industry to maintain high environmental standards on lands managed by corporate landowners.

"Forestry for Wildlife was developed based on common interest between the forestry industry and the Wildlife Resources Division," said Larry Walker, Forest Stewardship Manager, Weyerhaeuser. "The program encourages healthy and productive forests for Georgia`s citizens and our wildlife, today and for future generations." For more information about FWP or other private lands initiatives, please contact Mark Whitney at (770) 918-6416 or E.J. Williams at (912) 994-1438.