And the Student Chapter of the Year is…

At The Widlife Society’s 21^st Annual Conference, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia was recognized as the Student Chapter of the Year for their accomplishments during the 2013-2014 academic year. The award honors exceptional achievement by a TWS Student Chapter in advancing The Wildlife Society’s mission and goals. ABAC’s student chapter has promoted many of the Society’s goals, including wildlife education, wildlife stewardship, and professionalism.

In addition to participating in many volunteer opportunities with the Georgia DNR’s Game Management Section, as well as with other organizations throughout the community, the chapter is constantly organizing fun activities and networking opportunities. One of the activities this semester included a “Gecko Round Up”, which involves finding and catching geckos with the aid of a flashlight. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

The chapter also held a work day at the Elmodel Wildlife Management Area in Newton, GA to remove invasive species and restore habitat. Student members also regularly monitor wood duck nest boxes located around campus and organize group canoe trips.

ABAC’s student chapter is very involved at the local level of TWS as well as with other wildlife-related organizations. Thirty-two student members attended the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Chapter of TWS. Members were also present at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) annual conference and the 2014 Southeastern Wildlife Conclave, where their chapter finished fourth place overall.

For more information on ABAC’s current activities visit their Facebook page.