| Wildlife Refuge System
Centennial Draws Donations
(Note: In the old days, money 'given' like this would have been construed to be a bribe, 'hush money.' Today, it's touted as a grant and delivered up to the Gang Green directors. This is pitiful, and criminal.) March 11, 2003 Atlanta, Georgia (ENS) - Southern Company, an energy provider, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation today announced two $50,000 grants in recognition of the Centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System which falls on March 14. One hundred years ago, with little fanfare, President Theodore Roosevelt established tiny Pelican Island, off the east coast of Florida, as the nation's first federal bird reserve. President Roosevelt went on to establish 51 more federal bird reserves and four national game preserves, which became the forerunner of today's National Wildlife Refuge System. The grants will be awarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy as part of Southern Company's partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for an 18-month pilot program called The Power of Flight. The funds will be awarded as grants for bird and habitat conservation and environmental education projects in Southern Company's operating area. One grant will go to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to help restore 500 acres of freshwater wetlands habitats. The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge protects a portion of the tidal freshwater wetlands on the Atlantic Seaboard while serving as the winter home for more than 25 percent of the ducks in South Carolina. The other grant goes to the Mississippi Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to help restore more than 500 acres of wet pine savanna habitat on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge and the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Wet pine savannas provide critical habitat for the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane and many other birds and animals. "The Centennial celebrates President Roosevelt's vision to conserve our nation's unique and critical habitat," said Dwight Evans, Southern Company executive vice president of external affairs. "The national refuge system protects nearly 100 million acres for wildlife while providing superior opportunities for hunting, fishing, recreation, wildlife observation and education. These grants will help promote active management of two critical southeastern ecosystems, speed up restoration efforts and improve biodiversity -- something valuable for generations to come." The National Wildlife Refuge system is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The system is the only network of federal lands dedicated specifically to wildlife conservation. It includes 540 National Wildlife Refuges on 95 million acres. "We really appreciate the efforts and support of our partners, the Southern Company, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. With their help, we will be able to enhance hundreds of acres of wetlands for the benefit of migratory birds and waterfowl," said Sam Hamilton, Southeast regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Their support proves that public and private partnerships do work." |