Plum Creek Foundation awards US$6,000 grant to Georgia Wildlife Federation for Camp Charlie at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge pilot program aimed at connecting people to the outdoors

Audrey Dixon

COVINGTON, Georgia , October 14, 2011 (press release) – The Georgia Wildlife Federation, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the intelligent management of the life sustaining resources of the earth, was awarded a $6,000 grant from the Plum Creek Foundation. Funds will support the Camp Charlie at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge pilot program.

Camp Charlie is a planned weekend of camping and hands-on outdoor activities focused on family learning and fostering respect for the environment through positive experiences in the outdoors. The program is designed for suburban and low-income families who would like to experience the outdoors, but who may lack the knowledge, skill, equipment or self-confidence necessary to venture out alone.

“As more and more people move to urban and suburban areas, they are consequently more removed from the natural and ‘real’ outdoors,” said Terry Tatum, Vice President of Development of Georgia Wildlife Federation. “Plum Creek’s funding will help us bring awareness to these people that are more naïve than ever before about their relationship with nature and how their actions affect the environment.”

One of the main functions of Camp Charlie is to introduce families, students and children to different environmental occupations and opportunities for employment. Every family who attends Camp Charlie is assigned a mentor, natural resource or wildlife professional as well as volunteers who share the love of the outdoors. Mentors show the possible passion for the outdoors and help families make a pledge to do something for the environment in their community.

“Plum Creek applauds the efforts of the Georgia Wildlife Federation to educate the community on sustaining our water resources, protecting forests, plant life and dependent wildlife,” said Rob Hicks, senior resource forester for Plum Creek. “Nature is something you have to experience to fully appreciate, and we proud to be part of this pilot program that is certain to establish stronger connections between the community and the environment.”

The Plum Creek Foundation supports non-profit organizations that improve the overall quality of life in the communities where Plum Creek operates. The Foundation board meets quarterly to review submitted grant applications. Visit www.plumcreek.com/communityinvolvement to download an application and learn more about the foundation grant program in addition to other ways that Plum Creek is serving its communities.

For more information about Georgia Wildlife Federation visit www.gwf.org.

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