Admins Become Biologists for a Week – Georgia Wildlife Blog

By COURTNEY DAVIS

For one incredible week, three of our administrative staff – Crystal Pugh, Stacey Wilson and me – stepped away from our desks and into the field to experience what it’s like to be a wildlife biologist. Each year, DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section encourages us to join field outings to better understand the work we support behind the scenes. This time, we traveled to Georgia’s coast where biologists with Wildlife Conservation and the DNR Coastal Resources Division provided a hands-on look at conservation in action.

Our trip began at Gilman rookery, a former Gilman Paper Co. site near St. Marys, and Brunswick’s Bird Island with Wildlife Conservation Program Manager Tim Keyes. At both, we observed bird colonies and learned to identify various species, from wood storks to royal terns. The next day, we boarded the R/V Reid W. Harris for shrimp research that would help determine if and when the shrimping season should open. Some of the shrimp we collected would also be used as bait for a kids’ fishing event the following week.

When dragging for shrimp, Crystal found a hogchoker, a small species of flatfish. (DNR)

Later, we joined CRD marine educator Brooke Vallaster to practice cast and seine netting. We operated 4- and 12-foot nets and even learned how to throw a cast net correctly, which is definitely harder than it looks.

We wrapped up the week on Sapelo Island with Sea Turtle Program Coordinator Mark Dodd, where we found four sea turtle nests and one false crawl. Mark also gave us a tour of the island, including the historic Reynolds Mansion and lighthouse.

Courtney carefully digs up sea turtle eggs to move them to higher ground on the Sapelo beach, work allowed under DNR’s permit to preserve nests. (DNR)

This trip deepened our appreciation for the work our field staff does daily across the state. Stacey, Crystal and I returned with a new understanding of how every form we process and call we take helps protect Georgia’s wildlife and habitats.

We’re grateful for the support our agency provides for staff development and learning across DNR divisions. Opportunities like this not only teach us new skills, they also remind us why we do our work and who we’re doing it for.

Courtney Davis, Crystal Pugh and Stacey Wilson work with the Wildlife Conservation Section – Davis as a business support analyst 1, Pugh and Wilson as administrative assistant 3s.