Media Advisory for National Private Stewardship Grants Announcement

Contacts:
Tom Mackenzie, (404) 679-7291

WHO:

Matt Hogan, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

WHAT:

National announcement of grants totaling more than $6.9 million to private landowners and groups in 35 states for conservation projects on their land to help endangered, threatened and other at-risk species.

WHEN:

11:00 a.m.
Thursday June 1, 2006

WHERE:

Brosnan Forest Conference Center
125 Brosnan Forest Rd., Highway 78
Dorchester, South Carolina

The largest Private Stewardship Grant ever $464,925 will be provided to Milliken Forestry Company, Inc. - Jasper, Hampton, Allendale, Barnwell, Colleton, Charleston, Dorchester, Orangeburg, Berkeley, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Marion, Sumter, Calhoun, and Richland Counties in South Carolina and Screven County, Georgia. Milliken Forestry will work in partnership with over 45 private landowners -- some will be on site for this event -- many of whom are engaged in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Safe Harbor Program, to restore and improve longleaf pine habitat on approximately 17,645 acres. The project involves mid-story hardwood control and prescribed burning to benefit the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, a key indicator species for the longleaf ecosystem, and other species dependent upon this ecosystem. The project also will complement other major landscape level conservation efforts in the area. Media tours will follow announcement. Lunch available on site.

From Columbia (about 75 minutes) take Interstate 26 East to Interstate 95 South. Exit at No. 77 (St. George/Branchville) At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left onto Highway 78 East. Proceed approximately 11 miles and turn left on Brosnan Forest Road.

From Charleston traveling on I-26 West (about 45 minutes) -- Exit at No. 187 (St. George/Ridgeville) Turn left at top of the ramp and proceed one mile to Highway 78 (BP Station). Turn right (westbound) onto Highway 78. Travel approximately 8 miles to Brosnan Forest Road entrance on the right.