What: Private industry, government agencies, and an environmental organization mark the approval of the largest habitat conservation plan under the Federal Endangered Species Act, covering 5 million acres. This HCP is also the most ambitious by a private landowner to expand the population of the red-cockaded woodpecker on their lands. A commemorative ceremony/news conference, a tour to a red-cockaded woodpecker nesting site, and news media interviews with representatives of all participating organizations are offered.
When: Thursday, February 18, 1999
1:00 ceremony
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tour (Eastern Time)
Where: International Paper
Southlands Experiment Forest
719 Southlands Road
Bainbridge, Georgia
Who: International Paper
Executive V. P. for Operations C. Wesley Smith
Vice President of Forest Resources George A. O’Brien
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Director Jamie Rappaport Clark
Environmental Defense Fund Robert Bonnie
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Editors Note: A video news release and still photos are available upon request.
Release #: R99-018
