Passionate Sportsmen and Women Gather for Georgia SCI Conservation Classic in Northeast Georgia
November 22, 2022
By Trevor W. Santos
The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) hosted its second annual Conservation Classic Banquet & Auction on Thursday, November 17, bringing together sportsmen, women, and fellow conservationists for a night of fundraising and fellowship just outside of Georgia’s Classic City.
The Georgia Chapter of SCI, which was historically Atlanta-centric, broadened its footprint last year with a first-ever fundraising event outside the Atlanta Metro area. The Athens-area event allowed more people to learn about SCI, the Georgia Chapter, and the organization’s mission to promote and protect hunting and wildlife conservation.
Joining the Georgia Chapter of SCI at this year’s Conservation Classic were former Georgia Governor and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, as well as Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner-elect Tyler Harper. Both being avid sportsmen, they spoke of the importance of hunters and the impact they have on wildlife habitat and conservation efforts throughout the world.
For the second year in a row, Georgia SCI again presented financial contributions to the University of Georgia (UGA), specifically $5,000 to the UGA Deer Research Lab and $5,000 to UGA Wild Turkey Research. The Deer Research Lab and Wild Turkey Research Lab, both of which are housed within the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, are conducting critical research to ensure healthy populations of whitetail deer and wild turkey remain abundant across the landscape of our country.
"The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International is a close partner of the University of Georgia Deer Research Laboratory,” stated Dr. Gino D’Angelo of the UGA Deer Research Lab. “Their generous support of our research program enhances our ability to conduct studies which directly inform management of wildlife and habitats."
In addition to contributions towards important wildlife research at UGA, funds raised from the Conservation Classic Banquet & Auction will be used to fund the Georgia Chapter’s education, conservation, and humanitarian efforts in Athens and the surrounding areas. The Georgia Chapter has hosted an annual youth deer hunt in Commerce and plans to further its mission by adding new hunter recruitment programs and initiatives, as well as grow its membership and volunteer base in the region.
“People around the state of Georgia are learning about SCI and the fact that the organization is truly FirstFor Hunters. As the Georgia Chapter, we will continue to promote hunting and the hunter as a primary means to conserving our wild places and wild things,” said Trevor W. Santos, President-Elect of the Georgia Chapter of SCI. “We look forward to growing in Athens and throughout the rest of the state by adding more hunters and conservationists to our ranks.”
The night was made possible by Georgia SCI volunteers, generous donors, and sponsors. Platinum Sponsors included Double A Productions, MLW All Phase Construction and Roofing, and Lures & Lead. Gold Sponsors included Corrosion Control, Bergara, Broomsedge Rod & Gun, Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Michael Housworth, Sapphire Wealth Management, and Southern Land Exchange. Silver Sponsors included Benelli USA, Bennie Osmers Hunting Safaris, and Taurus. Bronze sponsors included CVA, Franklin Gun Shop of Athens, Lee & Lisa Friend, McGriff Insurance Services, and Taylor Concrete Foundations.
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About the Georgia Chapter of SCI
The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting and protecting our hunting heritage through education, conservation, and humanitarian efforts. Founded in 1981, the Georgia Chapter is one of the oldest SCI chapters in the world. Visit www.GeorgiaSCI.org for more information.