By Rylee Owens

Introducing Buck Marchinton, a wildlife biologist who plays a crucial role in DNR's Private Lands Program. Buck builds partnerships with private landowners across North Georgia to develop sustainable management practices that benefit both wildlife and landowners. Buck's approach is characterized by collaboration and empowerment, as he works closely with landowners to provide educational outreach, habitat assessments and tailored conservation plans. His ultimate goal is to empower landowners to become stewards of their properties, fostering a balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife.

A typical day for Buck involves traveling to nearby counties to meet with local landowners who require help in managing the wildlife on their property. During the day, Buck works alongside the landowners, exploring vast fields and areas and examining the land's features and possibilities. Buck provides the landowners with suggestions on how to improve biodiversity, optimize their land management practices and implement practical solutions for land management.

Buck's interest in biology began early on, inspired by his father's passion for the natural world. He pursued this interest in higher education, specializing in wildlife biology. Buck earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a master's from the University of Tennessee. Along the way, he developed a deep love for the outdoors. With his academic credentials and passion for conservation, Buck set out on a mission to make a tangible difference in preserving biodiversity for nearly 30 years, working first in Florida, and later returning to Georgia.

"If I had any advice to give to someone showing interest in this career, I would tell them that before they get in too deep, they need to be certain that this is the path they want to take. It's not really something people just fall into. We are told to do this if we can't see ourselves doing anything else, and to some extent that's true, but we always have a choice."

Buck is currently working on a management plan in Dawson County with a landowner who had an interest in having quail on his property. However, the property is not suitable for quail due to frequent flooding and being covered with trees that the landowner is not permitted to cut. Buck has instead steered the landowner towards managing for woodcocks, a species of game bird that thrives in the existing habitat. This solution provides the landowner with an easier path to a future hunt-able bird population and less land manipulation for a species that likely would not flourish.

Thanks to Buck's dedication and commitment, he continues to shape a brighter tomorrow where humans and wildlife thrive in harmony. He demonstrates that with passion and perseverance, conservation success is within reach.

Rylee Owens is a communications specialist in the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.

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