Frequently Asked Questions

What is GAWildcat?

GAWildcat is an online repository of digital materials to aid students, researchers and the general public in learning more about Georgia’s natural resources and our state’s past, present and future conservation efforts.

How is GAWildcat managed?

GAWildcat is a project of the Georgia Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit, member-supported 501(c)(3) organization. Items are collected, reviewed, and digitized by GWF staff, volunteers, and the GAWildcat Advisory Board.

What file types are used in GAWildcat?

For text documents, .pdf is the preferred format. Photographs and other images are distributed as .jpg files.

Who can contribue materials to GAWildcat?

Anyone can submit items to the GAWildcat Advisory Board. An item will be included in the repository if it:

• meets the objectives of GAWildcat
• is deemed accurate and relavant by the GAWildcat Advisory Board
• has either educational or historical value
• can be used by the public under the provision of "fair use" in the U.S. Copyright Law

How do I submit an item to GAWildcat?

To submit an item, complete the online form. Please allow two weeks for your application to be reviewed. If the resource fits the mission and purpose of GAWildcat.org, additional details will be provided on how to submit a file either electronically or via postal mail. If you have further questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Does it cost anything to use images from GAWildcat?

No. GAWildcat is available for educational and research use at not cost. Anyone can use the content for instruction and personal research. Images are provided at a resolution acceptable for screen and most home printers. High resolution images are available on a case by case basis, and may incur a charge for use.

May I use the materials from GAWildcat for class work and school assignments?

Yes. The primary use of GAWildcat is to support the study of Georgia's natural resources. The items may be used for classroom instruction, homework assignments, class projects, or other educational purposes. Use of items should be consistent with U.S. Copyright Law (U.S. Code, Title 17) and the guidelines for fair use, and proper credits must be provided.

How do I credit the source?

Proper "attribution" or credit incudes the creator/author of the item, the name of the item, the name of the copyright holder, and the phrase "Downloaded from www.gawildcat.org on [date]".

What is copyright?

Copyright is the legal right granted by the U.S. Government (U.S. Code, Title 17) to the creators of original works. A creator is an author, photographer, or artist, among others. Copyright is granted to give the creator (or designated agent such as publisher) the exclusive right to publish, produce, sell, or distrubute a published or unpublished work.

How does copyright apply to GAWildcat?

All digital files in GAWildcat are protected by copyrights held by the institution or individual that scanned the original materials, or created the electronic content. The copyright is provided in the record of each individual item. The original materials that were scanned may also be protected by copyright. The digital image may be used for instruction and personal research under the provision of "fair use" in U.S. Copyright Law. Under fair use, you may view, print, copy, and download digital files from GAWildcat without prior permisson provided that you give proper credit to the source of the material every time you use it.

Use of the materials in GAWildcat for commercial purposes or in publications is not permitted without prior permission. If you wish to use images from GAWildcat in a publication or commercial product, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Can I use the content and still obey copyright laws?

Contributors to GAWildcat agree to post only materials that can be used without copyright restrictions for education and personal research. There are no restrictions on using GAWildcat content for instruction, homework assignments, class projects, or other educational purposes.

May I use the materials from GAwildcat for a published article?

GAWildcat content is made available for use in education and for personal research only. For other uses, you should ask permission to take a legal risk of using copyrighted materials without permission. These materials may not be used for commercial purposes without explicit, prior written permission from the copyright owner. To obtain such permission, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . GAWildcat images are low-resolution copies, and these are not generally suitable for publication. Higher quality images may be available for publication.

Can I buy prints or high-resolution copies of items in GAWildcat?

Generally, yes. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.