Ducks Unlimited, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and several community partners were awarded nearly $40,000 for a wetland restoration project at a DNR-managed complex north of Rome in Floyd County. Through this grant, DU and its partners enhanced a seven-acre wetland at the Arrowhead Wildlife Management Area. This wetland will be managed for waterfowl and will be used by the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center for outdoor education. DU's other partners in this project included J. Supply Company, Vellano Brothers Inc., Kerry Brown, Hugh Glidewell, Sunbelt Turf Farms, and Neely Raper Lumber. These partners contributed a total of $41,840 in matching funds to complete this project.

This wetland restoration grant was awarded through the Five Star Restoration Program, which began in 1999 as a partnership among the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), National Association of Counties, the Wildlife Habitat Council, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Five Star is possible because of a unique collaboration with our public, private, and corporate funders," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director of NFWF. "Because of their generous contributions, these community-based habitat restoration projects not only provide immediate benefits to fish and wildlife, but also help to build a local environmental stewardship ethic."