SEAFWA News

Beginning October 1, 2016, Rusty Garrison began serving as the Director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. 

Garrison has been with DNR for 18 years, having served most recently as the manager of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia. He has served in numerous other capacities, including Assistant Chief of Game Management, State Coordinator of Project WILD, and Chief of the DNR Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Before his career with DNR, Garrison worked for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service...

J.D. Strong, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and former Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment, was selected by the eight-member Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to serve as the new Director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

"I firmly believe that sustainably managing and protecting Oklahoma's incredible natural resources is one of our most critical duties to fuel our future prosperity," J.D. Strong, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, who was selected to be the next Director of the Oklahoma Department...

Commissioners unanimously approved Jeff Crow as director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at today’s monthly meeting.

Crow, AGFC chief of staff, will assume the role of director July 1. He will replace Mike Knoedl, who is retiring after 31 years with the agency. Crow will be the agency’s 17th director in its 101-year history.  

“I’m very humbled by the Commission’s decision, but I also am very confident moving forward,” Crow said. “The direction and support this Commission has given Director Knoedl and myself gives me that confidence. The staff of the...

Governor John Bel Edwards has appointed former Congressman Charlie Melancon, a native of Napoleonville, La., as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Secretary Melancon replaces Robert Barham who previously served as the Department’s Secretary since 2008.

Melancon’s chief duty as Secretary will be to manage, conserve and promote wise utilization of Louisiana's renewable fish and wildlife resources and their supporting habitats through replenishment, protection, enhancement, research, development and education for the social and economic benefit of...

Click here to download the 2015 SEAFWA HFWP Committee Report on recruitment and retention of hunters, fishermen and other fish and wildlife users in the Southeast. The report identifies top recruitment and retention programs among the Southeastern states and addresses the charge and goals of the Committee. 

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named Herman Todd Holbrook of Conyers, Georgia the 2015 C. W. Watson Award winner at their annual meeting in Ashville this week. This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.

“Todd Holbrook has proven himself a highly productive wildlife resource manager at all levels from field biologist to deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,” said SEAFWA President Bob Ziehmer. “In addition to the services rendered in Georgia, his involvement with human dimensions research has left a lasting...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named Leith Konyndyk the 2015 Wildlife Officer of the Year at their annual meeting in Ashville this week. Konyndyk is a conservation officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

“Each state submits their officer of the year for consideration as the regional officer of the year, and these individuals are all deserving of recognition and appreciation,” SEAFWA President Bob Ziehmer said. “Konyndyk is certainly not only a great asset for his department, but also for the hunters, anglers and boaters that recreate...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named Brian Van Zee the 2015 Fisheries Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Ashville this week. Van Zee is a fisheries biologist for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department out of Waco.

“It gives me great pleasure to present this year’s Fisheries Biologist of the Year Award to Brian Van Zee,” SEAFWA President Bob Ziehmer said. “His contributions to fisheries conservation that began in Texas have led to ripples across the country.”

Van Zee was instrumental in helping the TPWD deal with one of the...

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies named John Gruchy the 2015 Wildlife Biologist of the Year at their annual meeting in Asheville this week. Gruchy is the private lands coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

“John’s passion for putting wildlife habitat on the ground, technical abilities and gift for effectively working with partners have improved wildlife habitat on thousands of acres in Mississippi. He is clearly a leader in the realm of private lands conservation, a critical avenue for providing the habitat needs of...