Georgia Wildlife Federation

In December 1935, after more than a decade of alarming declines in populations of upland game, waterfowl, and fish, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation calling for the first North American Wildlife Conference to be held February 3-6, 1936, in Washington, D.C.

The conference brought together the largest number of conservationists ever assembled to discuss the problems involved in the restoration and preservation of wildlife. Throughout the conference, it was clear that two principal objectives for the delegates would emerge. The first was to organize a cohesive force for wildlife restoration. Second, they would return home and begin organizing within each state to educate the American public about the urgent need to preserve America’s wildlife heritage.

Representatives from Georgia were dedicated to the established objectives. On December 15, 1936, a meeting was held at the Lanier Hotel in Macon, Georgia. This first organizing meeting of the Georgia Wildlife Federation was attended by more than 200 representatives of local clubs and county organizations. Mr. D. D. Quillian of Athens, Georgia was instrumental in organizing the meeting, and was elected the first President of the Georgia Wildlife Federation. In a brief report about the first meeting, Mr. Quillian said, “Our wish is that 1937 may see a deeper interest and many accomplishments that will start our wildlife back to permanent rehabilitation.” The newly formed organization took on very substantive issues from the beginning.

1940 Pushed for State Wildlife Professionals in Georgia
1941 Supported the Initial Use of Fishing Licenses in Georgia
1960 Led the Fight to Save the Alcovy River
1961 Supported Legislation which Established Hunter Safety Classes in Georgia
1970 Led Fight to Preserve Hurricane Creek
1971 Protected Sprewell Bluff along the Flint River
1987 Led Nationwide Promotion for Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
1988 Helped to Establish Conservation Plan for Red-cockaded Woodpecker
1988 Fights to Save Hybrid Bass Fishery at Thurmond Lake
1990 Led Statewide Celebration for 20th Anniversary of Earth Day
1991 Leader in Preservation 2000 Conservation Program
1991 Created and Launched Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Program
1992 Active Member of the Tri-State Conservation Coalition for Water
1994 Serves as Leader in Environmental Education Council
1995 Leader in RiverCare 2000 Conservation Program
1997 Fought to Stop Proposed Mining near Okefenokee Swamp
1997 Actively Supported Coastal Zone Management
2000 Worked for Community Greenspace Initiative
2000 Encourages Army Corp of Engineer Reform
2000 Works to Enforce the Use of Trout Stream Buffers
2000 Supports Wilderness Areas in Chattahoochee National Forest
2001 Leads the Fight to Improve Water Quality in Georgia
2001 Fights to Re-establish Longleaf Pine Ecosystem in South GA
2001 Fights for the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA)