Page 2 - Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The gopher tortoise is Georgia’s state reptile. ATLANTA – The New York-based Open Space Institute (OSI) Wednesday announced its fourth acquisition of undeveloped land in southeastern Georgia. The nearly 2,500-acre Wayne County Conservation property is adjacent to more than 1,600 acres the OSI acquired and transferred to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) last year. The new acquisition, made through a discounted sale and transfer by Southern Power, brings the public-private Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative to more than 80% of its goal of preserving enough pristine acreage to keep the gopher tortoise from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. “The Open Space Institute is proud to have protected this amazing property for Georgia’s state reptile, the gopher tortoise, and the incredible array of other species that call this land home,” said Maria Whitehead, OSI’s senior project director. “I thank Southern Power for thei

Cabin bluffUnited statesWayne countyJason leeMaria whiteheadSpace instituteConservation fundGeorgia department of natural resourcesGopher tortoise conservation initiativeNew york based open space instituteWayne county conservationGeorgia departmentNatural resourcesSouthern powerEndangered speciesOpen space institute