Georgia's Conservation Districts and Feral Hog Control

Breakout session Tuesday, February 11 at 9:00 a.m.

Feral swine are one of the greatest invasive species challenges facing Georgia causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at over $150 million. Conservation Districts and GACD are partnering with state and federal organizations to lead multiple efforts to address this growing problem including outreach and education, equipment rental and control services.

Speaker: Katie Sponberger, GACD

1. Katie Sponberger Executive Director Georgia Association of Conservation Districts www.gacd.us/feralswine GEORGIA’S CONSERVATION DISTRICTS & FERAL HOG CONTROL

2. Feral hogs= a non-native, invasive species brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the early 1500s as a readily available food source. Damage caused by feral hogs in Georgia is estimated at over $150 million. Feral hogs are reported to live in all of Georgia’s 159 counties, likely only trailing the massive feral hog populations in Texas and Florida. FRAMING THE PROBLEM Detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state.

3. FERAL HOGS ARE ONE OF THE GREATEST INVASIVE SPECIES CHALLENGES GEORGIA FACES.

4. OUTREACH TRAPPING SERVICES TRAP RENTAL GACD & Conservation Districts are addressing this growing problem.

5. OUTREACH

6. CONSERVATION DISTRICT TRAPPING SERVICES

7. $7,000,000

8. PARTNERS SWCDs

9. RESOURCES WWW.GACD.US/FERALSWINE

10. Katie Sponberger Executive Director [email protected] | 770-547-5981 Marc Land Feral Hog Program Manager [email protected] | [phone]