Macon Magazine

72 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 that the state should get a firmer hold on the property as protected public lands. But Oaky Woods was purchased by a development group for new neighborhoods. Work to save the site began in earnest and by 2006, the cry, "Save Oaky Woods," was heard more and more from conservationists and sportsmen. The economic downturn in 2007 played a hand in forestalling development and brought Oaky Woods back to the market and susceptible to development. Briefly outlining a complex tale, Trussell said through the years the effort became "a political football," with the state passing on and eventually deciding to buy portions of the woods. There still are strong opinions as to how well the "political football" game was played, but to Trussell and others, the fact is Oaky Wood's was indeed saved. By late 2010, just as former Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Houston County native, was leaving office, the state paid almost $29 million for 9,500 acres of Oaky Woods to come under DNR control for protection and use by citizens. "First seeing Oaky Woods years ago, looking out over the tops of trees into the valley, listening to the wind whisper through the leaves — the whole scene greatly moved me. Primal sites like that teach us how limited our lives are and expansive the passage of time and the natural spaces around us are. They put a different perspective on being human. I knew right away I had to be part of helping save it," said Warner Robins attorney Alex Morrow. As a WMA, the state requires a sporting or land pass license to use the woods, but Trussell said a $15 hunting or fishing license does the job inexpensively and is well worth it. Plus, he said it helps keep natural sites operating. In addition to what was bought by the state, acreage owned by Houston County around its landfill — Oaky Woods' southern neighbor — was leased to the state, bringing the woods to its now protected 12,750 acres. "I'm very pleased the state chose to purchase Oaky Woods and invest in preserving it for the future and use by those who love hunting and fishing and many types of outdoor activities," said Tommy Stalnaker, chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners. "John Trussell is an outdoorsman if I've ever seen one, and keeping the woods natural and available was a goal of his for many, many years." Trussell is obviously pleased. "Today, you can hunt, fish, walk around, ride your bike, observe nature, camp and enjoy all that Oaky Woods offers," Trussell said. "The birds, the wildlife and the black bears and their cubs have a secure habitat. I believe the public's quality of life is improved by experiencing the outdoors and all that Oaky Woods teaches us. The DNR and I both encourage people to get outdoors and do more. We need to be more in touch with the natural process of things." For years, Bill Bethune hunted small game in Oaky Woods. "There was a time I was in Oaky Woods every Saturday 'THE HISTORY IS SO RICH AND THE AREA SO BEAUTIFUL THAT I AND OTHERS BELIEVED IT WOULD BE A TRAGEDY TO LET IT GO.' — JOHN TRUSSELL RIVERSIDE DRIVE STORE 3720 Riverside Dr., Macon FORSYTH ROAD STORE 4433 Forsyth Rd., Macon HIGHWAY 96 STORE 5220 GA 96, Jeffersonville BOLINGBROKE STORE 5969 US 41, Bolingbroke OCMULGEE EAST STORE 4900 Ocmulgee East Blvd., Macon HIGHWAY 49 STORE 717 GA 49 N, Macon DRIVEN BY PRODUCTIVITY, FUELED BY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SINCE 1952 Serving Central Georgia with six locally-owned retail locations focused on the highest standards of cleanliness, service, and efficiency

• Cover