If you follow national conservation groups like Quail Unlimited, you'll notice the chapters all have numbers.

Chesapeake, Md., for instance, is No. 806 and the St. Louis, Mo., chapter is No. 42. Down in Hurricane Creek, Texas, the chapter is No. 486.

Ever wonder which chapter is No. 1? It's Augusta. It all started right here 26 years ago.

"We're always looking for projects, and places to put our money," said Hap Harris, the group's president, who joined 300 others Thursday night at the group's annual fundraising party at Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

Quail Unlimited, headquartered in Edgefield, was founded in 1981 to combat the problem of dwindling quail populations as a result of declining habitat. In the past five years, Quail Unlimited chapters have been responsible for almost $20 million in habitat programs.

Here in Augusta, the group has its own assortment of projects, including a habitat demonstration area near Thurmond Dam, where the call of a Bobwhite is a familiar sound.

The group also donates money to the beleaguered Georgia Department of Natural Resources, whose law enforcement officers and game managers are working with ever shrinking budgets, Harris said. Other beneficiaries include Augusta State University research programs, the Red Cross, Columbia County Sheriff's Offices K-9 team and a growing number of events to boost outdoor opportunities for kids.

Thursday, though, it was all about enjoying food, drinks, fellowship -- and raffle tickets.

"We have a lot of fun," Harris said. "And it's for a good cause."

MISTLETOE FRIENDS: It's no secret that state budget cuts could force the closure of as many as 13 of Georgia's popular state parks and will likely eliminate the Bo Ginn Aquarium near Millen.

Closer to home, volunteers are working to help make sure Mistletoe State Park near Appling isn't on the closure list.

Thomson resident Jack Burke is part of a new group called "Friends of Mistletoe State Park" that is mustering community support to provide manpower and dollars for the park that opened in 1971.

"We weren't formed because of the budget cuts, but we sure hope we can help make sure this park survives," he said. "Mistletoe is already famous for having a lot of volunteers."

Currently, the group provides about 20 volunteers who help with park operations. The group is also working on major projects that include expanding the park's boat ramp for low-water use, adding fish attractors accessible to bank fishermen, building a swimming beach near the campground, improving hiking trails and building steps to access the waterfront during low-water.

Anyone interested in becoming a park volunteer can contact Burke at (706) 361-0500.

NWTF REBUILDS: The National Wild Turkey Federation is continuing to rebuild its management team after losing three top executives -- including CEO Rob Keck -- in a bitter power struggle last March.

Last week, the Edgefield, S.C., group named Valdosta native Bob Fountain as vice president of operational support. Previously, he served as Georgia's regional director. He will be in charge of banquets, membership services, product and art development and the national convention.

In June, George C. Thornton, of Elberton, Ga., was chosen by the NWTF board to succeed Keck, who resigned March 26 after 30 years with the organization.

Just before Keck resigned, the board fired 27-year NWTF veteran and chief operating officer Carl Brown and vice president Dick Rosenlieb. The men are suing their former employer.

RIVER VOYAGE: The Savannah Riverkeeper group is gearing up for its annual fall pilgrimage down the Savannah River and still needs a few more sailors willing to make the 180-mile voyage.

Between Augusta and Savannah lies a wild, isolated river, a river whose history is as rich as the history of America, with Indian sites, ancient forests and abundant wildlife. The group will leave Augusta by boat on Oct. 3.

Accommodations range from river bluff camping to comfortable cabin-style accommodations. Packages range between $700-$975, and include all meals and ground transportation. For detailed package price information, see www.savannahriverkeeper.org or call (706) 364-5253.