Last Thursday, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced this year’s recipients of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) grants. This year’s funding allocation is $20.6 million, with an estimated $26 million in matching funds. The selected projects offer both conservation and improved outdoor recreation, from local parks and trail systems to state-owned land.
“By supporting projects aimed at the acquisition, development, and stewardship of local parks, trail systems, and conservation areas, we are not only protecting the natural heritage but also enhancing the recreational opportunities for our communities,” said Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and Chairman of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees Walter Rabon. “This investment will ensure that Georgians can continue to enjoy and connect with the outdoors for generations to come.”
The 12 projects were selected from a pool of 34 submissions, vying for a chance for funding from the state’s first dedicated funding source for conservation or outdoor recreation projects. The funding can go to a variety of sources, including local governments, recreation authorities, state agencies or non-profits. This year, five were awarded to local governments and non-profits, three went to acquisition of land by DNR and the remaining four were for stewardship projects on state land. Each project goes through a series of approvals, starting with the aforementioned Board of Trustees, then the Board of Natural Resources and then the Appropriations Subcommittees of the State House of Representatives and State Senate over DNR. In short, these projects are vetted.
Two projects received $3 million in funding, the highest amount awarded. In Glynn County, the funding will go toward the Coast Guard Beach Park. The project will include a disabilities accessible viewing platform and boardwalk, among several new walkways, improvements to beach access, invasive species removal, a kids play area and picnic area, and additional parking. The second $3 million project is part of the Trust for Public Land’s Chattahoochee RiverLands projects – a corridor eventually stretching from Lake Lanier all the way to Columbus on the Chattahoochee River. This project will develop a trailhead to access the existing Chattahoochee River Trail and the Chattahoochee RiverLands. Currently, there is an 18-mile gap between the Chattahoochee River National Water Trail and boat ramp access in South Fulton. There will be a new kayak launch, boat ramp, 40-space parking area and trails. The funding will also address ecological damage and construct new green infrastructure.
One of the land acquisition projects is an addition to previous GOSP grants from 2020 and 2021. Those grants added 27,000 acres to the Ceylon Wildlife Management Area and this year’s funding will add approximately 3,900 acres, known as the Mocama Tract. The additional land includes a variety of at-risk wildlife, such as the gopher tortoise, and critical habitat like estuarine intertidal wetlands and longleaf pine forests. The project will also open up even more hunting, fishing and hiking opportunities.
Another acquisition is 2,200 acres in west Georgia near Cedartown, that is added to a previously acquired 8,400 acres. These two projects alone have added more than 40,000 acres to protected space for hunting, fishing and conservation thanks to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act.
You can learn more about the program and this year’s other projects from here:
