SML_Vol.12-Iss.4 TRAVIS:Layout 1 7/6/12 12:38 PM Page 23
Icon’s outdoor legacy lives on
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ne of North Carolina’s most iconic outdoorsmen, Franc White, 85, producer of the “Southern Sportsman” television show from 1972 to 1996, passed away this June; however, his memory will live on via a memorial fund established in his honor. White is best known as an expert outdoor sportsman, writer, and conservationist. He made the “Southern Sportsman” show an institution in households throughout the South for more than 25 years. His show included one of the foremost live cooking segments on television, and he was widely known as “Julia Child of the Wild.” The show’s cooking segment and his recipe books especially appealed to his female viewers who were eager to learn how to prepare the day’s hunting and fishing prizes. Although thousands have his cookbooks, tapes of his shows, and memories of “Stalking the Wily Whelk,” “Goodbye, Little Tennessee,” and the “Poor Man’s Tarpon,” few are aware of the extent of his conservation and environmental efforts. White successfully stopped commercialization on many of the Carolina islands, one of which was the last nesting ground for some Atlantic sea turtles. His daughters Libby and Shaun remember their father constantly
agonizing over the loss in just half a century of so many natural resources and the deterioration of the planet, a loss he felt his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would probably never comprehend, yet have to endure. “From his plane, his boat, his canoe, even his cookbooks, all painted with his trademark zebra stripes, dad always reminded everyone just how deeply sportsmen care about protecting our outdoors,” daughter Libby said. “He Sportsman and conservationist Franc White produced “Southern Sportsman” from 1972 to 1996. DONATED FAMILY PHOTO
also knew the future of those outdoors we love will depend on our ability to raise up new voices for conservation. That’s why he ended each and every show imploring us to ‘Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing’.” The Franc White Legacy Fund will be used to strengthen the North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s outreach programs that bring the voices of sportsmen and others to the conservation decision-making table. Contributions may be sent c/o N.C. Wildlife Federation at 1024 Washington St., Raleigh, N.C. 27605, by calling 800.264.6293 or online at ncwf.org/support/honor.php.
d e p a r t m e n t :
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Competing interests, common ground Started in 1996, Forestry for Wildlife Partnership promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices. Habitat is key to wildlife. And with 93 percent of Georgia’s forestland privately owned, conservation on private lands is critical. Wells Timberland, Plum Creek and Georgia Power were honored as partners in February, having helped improve nearly 974,000 acres for wildlife. Plum Creek is maintaining habitat at Paulk’s Pasture Wildlife Management Area near Brunswick for Henslow’s sparrows, a secretive songbird. The company has also teamed with the DNR and University of Georgia to study the region’s bear population. Georgia Power is helping the DNR relocate gopher tortoises displaced by development, including restoring 300 acres of longleaf pine as a future site. Staff is also working with the state to place nest boxes critical for kestrels on transmission towers. Wells Timberland has protected habitat for rare fringed campion in Talbot County; thinned pine plantations to allow native understory plants to grow, benefitting wildlife; and joined with the National Wild Turkey Federation in restoring longleaf pine in sandhill habitats in Marion County. For information about Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, visit georgiawildlife.com/FWP.
“[Forestry for Wildlife Partnership] serves as a great example of how you can manage property for multiple objectives.” — Mark Whitney, chief of the Wildlife Resources Division’s Game Management Section
Find friends in important places Friends of the Smokies assists the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and public awareness, and providing volunteers for needed projects. Volunteers in the Parks (VIPs) work directly through the Park VIP Program in a variety of positions and services. A special group of hikers, VIPs help maintain a section more than 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail within the park under NPS agreement with the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. One also may help with the search for new species in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including collection, sorting and identification in conjunction with the Discover Life in America program. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Friends of the Smokies and their affiliates, visit friendsofthesmokies.org/volunteer or call the Tennessee office at 800.845.5665 or the North Carolina office at 828.452.0720. WWW.SMLIV.COM
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