Georgia Magazine - August 2010 - (Page 8)

COMPILED BY JENNIFER J. HEWETT Expanding habitats for migrating birds The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced plans to work with farmers, ranchers and other landowners in Georgia and seven other states to develop and enhance habitats for birds making their annual migration south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Under the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative, NRCS, with support from the National Association of Conservation Districts and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will help public and private partners with land management to provide additional food and habitats for migrating birds. “Millions of migratory birds traveling south this fall will instinctively head toward the marshes and coastlands of northern Gulf of Mexico,” says James Tillman Sr., state conservationist for the USDA-NRCS. “The Gulf area is already degraded, and there is a potential for larger-scale oil Endangered wood storks nest in the tops of pond cypress trees in Mitchell County. Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials recently discovered the nest after tracking a wood stork to the area through its leg band. After a second survey of the rookery in May, they found 125 wood stork nests, plus cattle egrets, little blue herons and anhinga. impacts in the months ahead. It is essential that we provide inland and coastal food, water and cover for migratory birds before they reach the oil-impacted areas.” For more information, visit www. ga.nrcs.usda.gov. Georgia glimpses • Tourism saves you money. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, each Georgia household pays $518 less in local and state taxes due to direct tourism expenditures. • Good business climate. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the National Chamber Foundation has recently released the results of a 2010 study on the business climate for each of the 50 states. In the report titled “Enterprising States: Creating Jobs, Economic Development, and Prosperity in Challenging Times,” Georgia was rated as a top performer among the 50 states in infrastructure, taxes and regulation, workforce development and training, and exports. • School-year advice. Atlanta-based nonprofit Kids Enabled, www.kidsenabled.org, works to give children with learning challenges the resources to reach their full potential. This month the organization offers back-to-school tips for parents, therapists and educators on test-taking with advice on dealing with stress, skills and strategies. 8 MICKEY PETRICH Yay for baseball! Don’t miss the final few games of the Peach State League season at historic Luther Williams Field in Macon’s Central City Park, set to wrap up Aug. 8. The league, formed this year, is composed of four teams—the Macon Pinetoppers, Albany Quails, Milledgeville Capitals and Robins Aviators—and features college players who went undrafted in the June Major League firstyear player draft. For more on the league, visit www.peachstate league.com. More online at www.georgiamagazine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE COURTESY OF USDA-NRCS http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov http://www.peachstateleague.com http://www.kidsenabled.org http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - August 2010

Georgia Magazine - August 2010
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Festival Guide
Currents
Warner Robins Hits a Home Run
More Little League Action
For the Birds
Around Georgia
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot
Additional Snapshot Photos
Bonus Recipe of the Month

Georgia Magazine - August 2010