Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center

Need fun, educational, wildlife-based programming? Check out our new educational programming brochure! For more information, go to https://georgiawildlife.com/education/smithgall

Check out our former Naturalist, Sarah Kelehear as she talks about our sister park, Sweetwater Creek State Park. So much interesting wildlife, history, and eco-friendly information! Stop in next time you're close by.

2021 GEORGIA FISHING REGULATIONS AVAILABLE: GO FISH GEORGIA! SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (Jan. 4, 2021) Kick off the brand new year by using the 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide as you make all your fishing plans says the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Anglers, new or experienced, should always begin with this publication, said Scott Robinson, Assistant Chief with the WRD Fisheries Management Section. Biologists and sta...ff work to make sure this guide book has the most current and accurate information on regulations and new opportunities, and anglers can access it in multiple ways, including online, from our Outdoors GA app or in the printed copy. The 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide provides information such as a color fish identification chart for both freshwater and saltwater fish, license purchasing information, contact information for Wildlife Resources Division and Coastal Resources Division fisheries management offices and DNR Law Enforcement offices, trout stream listings, public fishing area information, state record fish listings, fishing regulations for Georgia and more. The 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations may be found online at http://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/, or through the Outdoors GA app (free app for iPhone or Android users). Anglers also can pick up a printed copy at any Wildlife Resources Division fisheries management or DNR Law Enforcement office, or at fishing license vendors throughout Georgia. Where else can you find fishing information? The Angler Resources page on the WRD website, http://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/angler-resources, is a great place for new or experienced anglers and includes information about taking kids fishing, reservoir and river fishing tips, fish ID info and much more. If you are looking for the latest fishing tips, check out the weekly Georgia Fishing Report (https://georgiawildlife.blog).

THOM LITTS APPOINTED AS WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (December 21, 2020) The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) announced the appointment of Thom Litts to Assistant Director. Litts is a longtime employee of the division, most recently serving as chief of the fisheries management section. I am thrilled to announce the promotion of fisheries chief, Thom Litts, to Assistant Director of the Wildlife R...esources Division, said Wildlife Resources Division Director Ted Will. Thom’s years of service with this Division make him uniquely qualified to assist in leading us into the next chapter. I look forward to his contributions in this role. As Assistant Director, Litts’ responsibilities will include serving as the principal wildlife and fisheries resource management advisor to the Director, supervising the development and implementation of the agency’s strategic plan, coordinating legislative initiatives, and supervising all administrative and personnel functions for the Division’s workforce. Thom Litts began his career with Georgia DNR in 2002 as a GIS Specialist with responsibility for statewide implementation of GIS data management projects for the Fisheries Section. From there, he served as the Program Operations Manager in the Fisheries HQ Office, where his responsibilities included managing multiple programs and statewide initiatives. Since December 2019, Thom has served as Chief of the Fisheries Management Section. Litts holds a master’s in Geography from the University of Georgia. He is an avid angler, and currently resides in Covington with his wife (Kristy) and two children (Lillie and Evan). For more information about the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, visit www.georgiawildlife.com

Maybe you’ve always imagined yourself working outside. Maybe you’ve considered a professional career in the sciences. Or maybe you’ve just dreamed about an office with a truly jaw-dropping view. If so, maybe Scientists in Parks is for you! https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/scientists-in-parks.htm

POSTER CONTEST DRAWS ATTENTION TO GEORGIA NATURE NEAR HOME SOCIAL CIRCLE (Dec. 10, 2020) Teachers and students across the state are invited to celebrate wildlife and their habitats through art by participating in the 31st annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest. The goal of this competition for grades K-5 is to generate knowledge of and appreciation for Georgia’s biological diversity. The popular initiative is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, t...Continue reading

GIVE THEM A LICENSE TO GET A LITTLE WILD THIS YEAR SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (Dec. 4, 2020) This holiday season, give the outdoors enthusiast on your list a license to get a little wild. A hunting and/or fishing license is the perfect gift, with the added bonus of benefitting wildlife and the wild places they enjoy, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. A youth license, a lifetime license or an annual hunting or fishing license... are all great examples of how to give access to the great outdoors, and provide support for Georgia wildlife and state-managed lands. Youth and lifetime licenses come with a plastic card, and, putting annual licenses on a beautiful collector’s hard card (credit card style license) gives you the perfect stocking stuffer! Youth License The Youth Sportsman’s License for $15 makes a great gift for resident youth under age 16, and allows you to give a gift valued at $70! This license provides for both hunting and fishing privileges, and is good through age 17, giving them a full year sportsman’s license once they reach age 16 (when they are required to have a license). Resident Lifetime Licenses With a lifetime license, the Georgia resident hunter or angler on your gift list will not need to pay for another state hunting or fishing licenseever! From hunting trophy whitetails to casting for lunker largemouths, their cherished recreation in Georgia is covered. Applications and document details are at www.georgiawildlife.com/LifetimeLicense. Annual or Other Licenses Can’t purchase a lifetime license? How about giving an annual or 2-year license for that hunter or angler? This purchase provides your sportsman or woman access to the Georgia outdoors, and even if they already have a current license, the license you purchase will stack onto their existing one. Licenses are Gifts That Keeps On Giving The Wildlife Resources Division uses hunting and fishing license sales to fulfill its wildlife mission. The sale of paid licenses is a key measure through which states receive federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funding. Uses of this funding in Georgia vary from operating public fishing areas to managing the state’s 1 million-strong deer herd. More information on licenses at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, and purchase a youth, annual, or 2-year license here www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/.