Georgia SCI Remains Committed to R3 Efforts and the Future of Hunting in Georgia
February 15, 2022
By Trevor W. Santos
The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) has renewed its commitment to support Georgia’s R3 Initiative; an effort to recruit, retain, and reactivate (R3) hunters and recreational target shooters in the Peach State.
“The Georgia Chapter of SCI has been part of the Georgia R3 Initiative steering committee since its inception in 2017, and we remain committed to ensuring our hunting heritage is carried on and enjoyed by future generations,” said Trevor W. Santos, President-Elect of the Georgia Chapter of SCI. “We’re proud of the work being accomplished by the Georgia R3 Initiative group of pro-hunting and conservation organizations to grow our ranks of hunters and safeguard the tradition of hunting and wildlife conservation.”
The Georgia R3 Initiative is a cooperative between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Chapter of SCI, National Deer Association, and National Wildlife Turkey Federation. The goals associated with the R3 Initiative are simple – increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports, and through educational efforts, increase the public acceptance and support of hunting and the shooting sports. The strategies and actions to accomplish these goals were development by the steering committee and can be found in the Georgia Hunting Action Plan.
“The efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate hunters, anglers and shooting sport participants are fueled by deep-rooted conservation ethics,” said Breanna Bashford, R3 Coordinator for the Georgia R3 Initiative. “These recreational activities fund habitat management, public access, and wildlife and fisheries conservation. The Georgia Chapter of Safari Club International along with other conservation partners in the Georgia R3 Initiative, strive to integrate more people into our community to ensure the continual support of wild landscapes and wild creatures."
The Georgia R3 Initiative oversees two state-wide hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation programs: Academics Afield and Artemis Georgia. Academics Afield focuses on college students at multiple Universities reaching new audiences with peer-to-peer mentoring, whereas Artemis Georgia focuses on building community support structures for women across all levels of involvement. Both programs engage new and existing participants who continue to invest and support conservation organizations and policy.
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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.