One of Savannah’s most photographed historic sites, colonial Wormsloe, unveiled its new visitor center on Wednesday, January 3. State and local leaders, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials, members of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting at the new Wormsloe State Historic Site Visitor Center.

Get an inspirational start to 2024 by joining the “First Day Hikes” movement on New Year’s Day. Rangers at more than 40 Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites are offering guided adventures where you can connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. Hikers can choose from a variety of distances and difficulties, from kid-friendly strolls to heart-pumping treks. Participants will get a First Day Hikes sticker to commemorate their accomplishments.

The holidays are right around the corner, so time to start planning and shopping. Looking for a unique gift for the holiday season? Give your friends and family the gift of the outdoors. Wow them with waterfalls, lakes, and swamps; surprise them with trails, geocaching, and mountain tops; and excite them with overnight stays in yurts, cabins, and cottages. Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites have amazing gift ideas for every outdoor enthusiast this year.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications now through Nov. 30 for its 2024 Career Academy, a week-long summer camp for current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders interested in exploring careers in natural resources management.

Amicalola Falls State Park, a crown jewel for Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, celebrated the opening of a new visitor center, thanks in part to a grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. State and local leaders, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials, members of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting at the new Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Center.

Effective October 16, the lake at Little Ocmulgee State Park will be temporarily closed to public use. The lake will be lowered to allow construction of a new bulkhead retaining wall along the shoreline behind the park’s 10 rental cabins.

Several Department of Natural Resources employees were honored recently during the annual Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Managers Conference. An awards ceremony was held October 3 to celebrate those who make more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites outstanding destinations for Georgia’s citizens and visitors. They also attended training sessions and shared ideas on park operations. Below are this year’s award winners, and more information on each site can be found on GaStateParks.org.

Madison County native Ray Smith has been promoted to Assistant Director for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, a Division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For the last three years, Smith has been the Region Supervisor for the Thomson region of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the appointment of two new deputy commissioners: Thomas Barnard as Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Trevor Santos as Deputy Commissioner for Governmental and Public Affairs, Communications, and Grants.

“I am pleased to congratulate Thomas and Trevor on their new roles with the DNR team,” said Commissioner Walter Rabon. “Both of these individuals have a wealth of experience and expertise in their respective fields, and I am confident that they will be valuable assets to our agency as we work to protect and conserve Georgia’s natural resources.”

The cooler temperatures, the smell of pumpkin-spiced lattes, and waves of red and gold leaves spark the start of fall. Knowing that the fall colors will soon make their appearance, and the trees will transform into a kaleidoscope of color, many leaf peepers find themselves planning their autumn escapes to get a front-row view. Although Mother Nature is in charge of when peak leaf season will hit, Georgia State Parks has launched “Leaf Watch 2023” to help leaf lookers track fall color as it moves across the Peach State. Found at GaStateParks.org/LeafWatch, the travel planner is filled with top trails and overlooks, mountain cabins and campsites, fall events and safe hiking tips.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced the grant applicants who have been selected to move forward in the approval process to receive approximately $9.6 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program. These funds will be used for the acquisition, development, and renovation of outdoor recreation areas all across the state.

Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Walter Rabon has named Angie Johnson as Director for Georgia’s State Park and Historic Site system. For the past year, she has served as Assistant Director of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, overseeing more than 60 state parks, historic sites and regional offices.

When the sun retreats and the stars align, overnight visitors of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites can experience the unseen side of the parks.

Get Outdoors Day is June 10, 2023.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced the promotion of Jason Grantham to the manager position at Roosevelt's Little White House State Historic Site in Warm Springs, Ga. Originally from Harris County, Jason studied Computer Science at the University of Phoenix in Columbus. Jason joined DNR as a part-time tour guide at Roosevelt's Little White House. From there he moved over to the maintenance department, eventually becoming the site's General Trades Craftsman II.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has hired new management and staff for the historic Reynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island.

On-site chargers improve zero-emission recreation for all drivers of plug-in vehicles.

Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah has not only a new manager but also new “glamping” yurts. Jeri Nokes was recently promoted from assistant manager at nearby Wormsloe Historic Site to oversee the park which draws more than 500,000 visitors annually.

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored recently during a Rangers Conference held at Unicoi State Park. Around 140 assistant managers, interpretive rangers, administrative staff and maintenance rangers participated in training activities, team building and sharing ideas. The conference included an awards ceremony celebrating the efforts of those who make more than 60 sites outstanding destinations for Georgia’s citizens and visitors. Learn more at GaStateParks.org/awards.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the selection of the 2022-2023 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program “Conserve Georgia” grants for conservation and outdoor recreation projects.