Projects and Programs

















Community Wildlife Project


Annual CWP Workshop in Forsyth, Ga.


Staff at the Non-game Division Office shows GCG members how they safely capture hummingbirds and band them for research purposes. Here, Terry measures the hummer's beak with a caliper.


Close up of hummer in hand
The Community Wildlife Project (CWP) is a joint effort of GCG and the Department of Natural Resources Non-game Division. Its purpose is to better manage non-game wildlife and plant habitats in rural, urban, and suburban communities.

For over ten years, homeowners have been certifying their backyards through this program. Although this is a Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. project, you do not need to be a Garden Club member to participate. Please encourage all Georgia residents to participate in this easy and important program. It's a win-win situation! By caring for and protecting our wildlife through Backyard Habitats, we also create wonderful viewing environments. As an added bonus, your club receives points on the annual Club President's report if you have members with certified backyards. Participation categories include:

  • Individual Backyard Certification (download application here)
  • Neighborhood Backyard Certification—Invite your neighbors to complete a survey
  • Communal Living Backyard Certification—For apartment, condo, townhouse, or assisted living dwellers (download application here)
  • Community Certification—An in-depth, multi-faceted program intended to educate the community while creating a diverse and large scale habitat for wildlife

Some of the criteria for CWP are:

  • attracting birds by planting wildflowers
  • ensuring protection of wetlands
  • utilizing native trees and shrubs in landscape
  • educating the public sector on wildlife needs through nature trails and outdoor classrooms
  • attracting non-game animals to private and public lands by creating nesting islands in brush, rock piles and tree cavities

Complete the forms available above and see if your yard qualifies to be a "Certified Wildlife Habitat."

For further information, contact Katherine Allen, GCG Community Wildlife Chairman, at 706-456-2776 or by email at ogeecheeallen@nu-z.net.

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