Page 14 - Georgia Forestry - Spring 2020

Students at Ogeechee Technical College learn about aquatic habitats, a critical skill for becoming a game warden.
Ogeechee Technical College
Wildlife population management is of critical importance for Georgia’s forestry industry. Many of the more
than 90 species of mammals13 and 350 species of birds14 in Georgia rely on healthy forest ecosystems for their habitat and survival.
Call them Conservation Law Enforcement Officers or Game Wardens, there are dedicated people in all of Georgia’s 159 counties who ensure the rules and regulations in place to protect those wildlife populations are enforced. These certified state police officers also protect endangered and exotic plants and animals, control waste and litter in our state forests and ensure that recreation activities in nature are done safely. Even though these Game Wardens play an important role in protecting Georgia’s forests and natural resources, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement division is always looking for applicants who have an associate degree and are trained in wildlife management.
Ogeechee Technical College, located in Statesboro and serving Bulloch, Evans and Screven counties, started in the Fall 2019 semester to offer a two-year Asso- ciate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Conservation Law Enforce- ment to help fill that consistent demand. “The program combines Criminal Justice courses and Fish and Wildlife courses to provide the students with an overview of the criminal justice system and arm them
12 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
COURTESY OF OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
COURTESY OF OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE