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Endangered Right Whale, other flora and fauna get new look in 10-year Georgia wildlife plan update

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georgiarecorder.com – Leon Stafford – 2025-03-10 00:00:00

Endangered Right Whale, other flora and fauna get new look in 10-year Georgia wildlife plan update

by Leon Stafford, Georgia Recorder
March 10, 2025

Over the next 10 years, the North Atlantic Right Whale, the Chattooga River crayfish and the Sicklefin Redhorse fish may get some outsized attention from conservationists.

The aquatic creatures are among more than 1,000 plants, animals and habitats that are being included in Georgia’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan or SWAP. 

The proposal, which is updated every 10 years to receive federal funds, safeguards Georgia’s wildlife and biodiversity by creating a wish list of species to shield from harm. 

“The purpose is more on the proactive side in that we want to try to implement conservation activities and habitat management that will keep species from rising to the level where they are more costly to conserve or have to be listed on the endangered species act,” said Brett Albanese, plan coordinator for 2025 and an assistant chief with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Conservation Section.

“(The endangered species list is) an important tool but we don’t want to have to use that,” he said. “That’s the ambulance. We want to provide more preventive care for our wildlife.”

That may be a huge lift. Georgia has added nearly 1 million residents in the years since the last plan update in 2015. (There were around 10.2 million Georgians in 2015 compared to 11.18 million in 2024, the latest estimates available). 

That has resulted in more pollution from cars, disappearing forests and land to make way for housing, shopping centers and warehouse, and noticeable changes in climate, all leading factors in the destruction of animal habitats and plant life, Albanese said. 

Mike Worley, president and CEO of the Georgia Wildlife Federation and a member of the SWAP 2025 advisory board, agreed. He said the new plan will focus on creating hubs and corridors where species can migrate without human intervention. 

“As the climate changes, our wildlife is going to have to adapt,” he said. “If we can, we want to allow corridors where plants and animals can move along to areas that fit their needs … It’s more efficient if the species can decide on their own.” 

If approved, the plan update could receive around $1.5 million in funding, Albanese said. To receive the money, DNR is required to raise cost sharing revenue through funds generators such as sales of the state’s “Give Wildlife A Chance” license plates, Albanese said.

Georgia has evidence that SWAP efforts work. Several plants and animals that were on the SWAP 2015 list have experienced a modicum of recovery, Albanese said. Gopher tortoises, the red cockaded woodpecker and the smooth coneflower (also known as echinacea laevigata) were downlisted on the endangered species list.

A status update of the threatened Gopher tortoise is a likely focus of an update to the State Wildlife Action Plan. Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

A major goal for the 2025 update is to gain community support, Albanese said. The department recently launched a website to promote the proposal and elicit public comment, which is available on the site through March 21. In addition to conservationists and landowners, the department is hoping municipal leaders, the business community and everyday citizens will way in, Albanese said. 

“We want them to have ownership of it, so they’ll help us implement the SWAP and provide other funding sources to complete projects,” he said. 

Katherine Moore, president of the Georgia Conservancy, said SWAP creates a starting point for discussion on conservation. As it is not a regulatory document, it lacks mandates and cannot override land use priorities. Instead, it seeks to educate and allow thoughtful conversations on how we balance population growth with protecting our environment. 

“Conservation and development should be an ‘and’” not or, she said.

Reese Thompson said public input from people on the ground is critical for SWAP’s success. Landowners experience firsthand the effects of habitat change or impacts to private property in the state.

For instance, Thompson, a Wheeler County tree farmer who lives in Vidalia, has been clearing downed trees and debris since Hurricane Helene barreled through the area in September. 

Since then, he has been setting controlled fires to clear the forest floor to reduce the potential for wildfires and improve the habitats for animals who depend on the woods, he said. He’s also trying to avoid destructive brush fires that have the potential to devastate South Georgia like those that burned more than 18,000 homes in Los Angeles in January and have been linked to 29 deaths. 

“We’ve been doing burning because this summer when all this heavy hurricane debris is on the ground and when it dries out, I’ve got fears that we’re going to look like Southern California,” he said. 

Heather Brasell, a south Georgia landowner who owns forested property on a conservation easement, said message consistency is also critical to an effective plan update. The Department of Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission and the public need to be on the same page about the importance of getting the proposal through, especially as there is enormous scrutiny in Washington on national spending.

“Endangered species, in and of itself, doesn’t sell very well when people lack housing and food,” she said. “We need to make it clear the benefits of conservation in general and tie it to the places you can go for recreation, then that can make it more acceptable to the general public.”

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Schools navigate challenges in federal clean bus program | FOX 5 News

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-09-01 22:35:07

SUMMARY: The Biden administration’s $5 billion Clean School Bus Rebate Program, launched in 2022 to transition school districts to zero-emission electric buses, faces significant challenges. Mechanical issues and lack of affordable repairs have sidelined hundreds of electric buses, worsened by the financial collapse of major supplier Lion Electric. Lion’s bankruptcy led to maintenance warranty voids, leaving districts like Yarmouth, Maine, and Illinois struggling with non-functional buses. The EPA is monitoring the situation and supporting affected districts. However, other districts, such as Little Rock, Arkansas, using different vendors like Blue Bird, continue to benefit from the clean bus initiative, viewing it as an investment in student health and safety.

The Biden administration launched a program to help schools transition to cleaner buses. While some districts have reported success, others are experiencing difficulties tied to certain suppliers. Federal officials say they are continuing to monitor the situation as schools adjust.

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Aiken neighbors join Labor Day rallies for workers’ rights

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www.wjbf.com – Shawn Cabbagestalk – 2025-09-01 19:10:00

SUMMARY: On Labor Day in Aiken, S.C., neighbors joined the nationwide Workers Over Billionaires movement to advocate for workers’ rights and social justice. Among them was Anthony Espinoza, whose husband was detained by ICE, highlighting personal struggles with mental health and financial stability. The diverse crowd united in demanding fairness, criticizing government policies favoring billionaires over vulnerable citizens. Speakers emphasized the need for democratic preservation, equitable tax policies, and support for the working class. Organizers urged civic engagement through protests and contacting representatives. Future rallies, including a statewide event in Columbia, are planned to continue the fight for dignity, fairness, and hope.

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Labor Day crowds hit Tybee as beach safety warnings rise

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www.wsav.com – Genevieve Lund – 2025-09-01 12:31:00

SUMMARY: Over Labor Day weekend on Tybee Island, Georgia, strong winds and waves created hazardous water conditions, prompting lifeguards to warn swimmers about dangerous rip currents. White-capped waves and rough surf led to a red flag warning, with officials considering a double red flag to restrict swimming to knee-deep water for safety. Rip currents cause over 80% of US beach rescues, especially during busy holidays. Lifeguard supervisor Jackson Vrisco emphasized alertness and monitoring conditions, while Mayor Brian West advised those caught in rip currents to stay calm and let the current carry them before swimming back. Visitors should heed flag warnings near lifeguard towers.

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