The Georgia Division of Pure Assets (GADNR) and companions have introduced that Pine Log WMA (Wildlife Administration Space) will likely be re-established and open to the general public in Spring 2027. This reopens and protects over 14,000 acres of land in northwest Georgia for outside recreation and conservation efforts for uncommon wildlife and imperiled habitats. Pine Log WMA was initially established again in 1977 by the Georgia DNR on 14,640 acres in Bartow and Cherokee counties, as a year-to-year lease of the land from the Neel Household. This went on for 46 years till 2023, when the Georgia DNR was knowledgeable that the Neel household was altering its plans and needed to promote the property outright as a substitute of continuous the lease. Sadly, talks stalled with no deal being made till this 12 months.
“During the last 4 years, we by no means overlooked the aim to accumulate Pine Log and completely safe it for public recreation and wildlife conservation. However we additionally made it thus far as a result of the Neels and Bartow and Cherokee County leaders, together with many others, shared that focus and perseverance.” – DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon
Commissioner Rabon additionally thanked supporters, together with Aubrey Corp, the Neel family-based enterprise that owns the property, native governments, state legislators, and others who collectively labored collectively to make the re-establishment of Pine Log WMA attainable. Governor Brian Kemp, with help from the Georgia Legislature, appropriated $15 million towards buying the land, with Bartow and Cherokee County governments matching that quantity.
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“It has been a pleasure and an honor for our household, over 4 generations, to handle and construct out the footprint of what’s now the Pine Log WMA. This can be a actually particular and distinctive place—not solely due to its ecology, remoteness, and extraordinary measurement inside a quickly altering improvement hall, but additionally due to its geography, geology, and wealthy historical past.
Our household is deeply grateful to the group and to the group leaders who acknowledged the significance of Pine Log and labored so arduous to carry it into the portfolio of State-owned lands that future generations can take pleasure in.
I can not converse extremely sufficient of the time, dedication, and devotion I witnessed all through this whole course of from the State DNR Lands group, in addition to from native and state leaders, together with Bartow County Commissioner Steve Taylor, CAO Peter Olsen, State Consultant Matthew Gambill, and State Consultant Mitchell Scoggins.
I noticed firsthand how these gents repeatedly got here along with a shared willpower and concentrate on honoring what the group they characterize needed—to see Pine Log preserved. They labored diligently with each our household and the State for a number of years to assist make this imaginative and prescient a actuality.
This can be a great win for the way forward for Bartow and Cherokee Counties and for the State of Georgia. Most significantly, it ensures that this exceptional panorama will stay a spot that may be loved, appreciated, and guarded for generations to come back.” – Lee Neel, President of Aubrey Company
Now to be referred to as the “Neel Household – Pine Log WMA”, it’s deliberate to be opened to the general public in time for the 2027 Spring Turkey looking season. Along with simply being a looking and fishing vacation spot, The Neel Household – Pine Log Wildlife Administration Space is the biggest contiguous tract of personal forest in North Georgia. It’s dwelling to over 30 species and multitudes of various habitats, with many thought-about excessive precedence below Georgia’s State Wildlife Motion Plan. Situated solely an hour from Atlanta, it can now perpetually function a haven for anybody who loves the outside.
“The Neel household may have divided Pine Log Mountain and bought it off, however they seemed for a manner to not. The county’s half was to plan for progress the place applicable, in order that the overwhelming majority of the land – and the mountain itself – could possibly be conserved, and to commit native funds towards the acquisition. Roughly 12,000 of those acres lie in Bartow County, and all of it can now belong to the general public completely.” – Steve Taylor – Bartow County Commissioner
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