Stay up to date with the latest news from the Georgia Conservancy:

Georgia Conservancy in the media:

1/27/2010 - Tirbune & Georgian - A Work Day for MLK

1/5/2010 - Georgia Trend - Georgia Conservancy President Pierre Howard named to 100 Most Influential Georgians list

12/29/2009 - Hawkinsville Dispatch - Georgia Conservancy board member Johnny Bembry protects historic family mill

12/11/2009 - Saporta Report - "Environmentalists cautiously optimistic on water plan"

12/4/2009 - Chattanooga Times Free Press -" $2 billion straw to Atlanta" - go to Water War Room for more information

12/3/2009 - Macon Telegraph - "Oaky Woods development plan halted"

Georgia Conservancy Advocacy: Leading Georgia into a Sustainable Future

The first day of the 2010 Georgia General Assembly is upon us - Monday, January 11th. Led by Will Wingate, Vice President of Advocacy, the Georgia Conservancy is promoting common sense policy solutions at the State Capitol that protect our air, water, and natural areas. Visit our legislative update page to stay informed as the 2010 legislative session progresses.

Read our coalition letter, co-signed by Georgia's premier conservation organizations, for details about legislative priorities for 2010, including:

• Water conservation
• Easing traffic and congestion with new transit solutions
• Limiting "interbasin transfers"
• Funding for Georgia's parks
• Funding for state monitoring of water quality

Over the 2010 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Georgia Conservancy led a group of 45 people to Cumberland Island for a service trip. Together the group cleaned and cleared over 4.5 miles of beach and over five miles of back-country trail.

For many members of the group it was a weekend of firsts: first time to visit Cumberland Island and the first time sleeping outdoors. Said Morehouse College student James King: "My first camping trip has me in awe! Since I have been home I am telling everyone on the mainland how much fun I had preserving our land to share with others. I will try to make it back to the island around twice a year to continue service and enjoying nature as it is."

Thanks to REI for helping to sponsor the trip and to our trip-co facilitators for helping to lead such an amazing weekend - Evonne Blythers with Keeping it Wild, Darryl Haddock with the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and Imran Battla with Students Endeavoring for Enlightened Environmental Decisions.

Click here to see more photos from the service weekend. Read the story in the Tribune & Georgian about the service weekend!

Click to read - Georgia Conservancy weighs in on Cumberland Island Former Reserved Properties Management Plan.

On Saturday, November 7, 2009 Georgia Conservancy coastal staff and volunteers hosted a community design workshop

through Georgia Conservancy's Blueprints for Successful Communities program with the members of the historic African American community of Pinpoint in Chatham County, GA. (learn more about Pinpoint and Blueprints here).

For our work with the historic Pinpoint Community, there were several goals:

•   Establish community history

•   Identify key community concerns

•    Develop a community vision

•    Develop effective growth and preservation strategies

Check out the pictures from our Pinpoint meeting last weekend made possible by a generous grant from The Home Depot Foundation.

Download the final Pin Point - Blueprints for Successful Communities report.

(From Atlanta Buisness Chronicle) - Georgia Power Co. is donating more than 5,000 acres of significant property to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that they will be preserved for generations to come. The largest land gift is the Sprewell Bluff property, a 3,059-acre site along both sides of the Flint River at the Sprewell Bluff State Park and Natural Area in Middle Georgia. The second donation is the McGrau Ford Wildlife Management Area, a 2,052-acre site along the Etowah River in Cherokee County.

Pierre Howard, president of the Georgia Conservancy, described the Sprewell donation "like a dream come true" for Georgians. "Sprewell Bluff is a place of exquisite beauty and immeasurable worth that will now belong to all Georgians and to future generations," Howard said. "This great natural treasure came close to being destroyed by a dam in 1974 until it was saved by Gov. Jimmy Carter." Read full article here.

On September 24, the Georgia Conservancy and the Flint Riverkeeper hosted a successful bluegrass and BBQ event to public raise awareness of the threats facing the Flint . The event was located on the banks of the Flint River north of Sprewell Bluff at the grand pavilion in Gerald I. Lawhorn Scout Camp. See pictures here.

Click here to read the Georgia Conservancy's 1973 magazine covering the Flint controversy (including a letter from then Gov. Jimmy Carter)

Good Urbanism 101 -Good Urbanism 101 was a success! Says GC Twitter follower and Good Urbanism participant @ jlaiti : "Absolutely recommend Good Urbanism 101, hosted by @gaconservancy, to anyone who cares abt the infrastructure & development of Atlanta." Standing room only crowds is a great sign!

Sweetwater for SweetWater - Another 30 people turned out on a rainy morning to help cleanup one of Metro Atlanta's largest parks. It was even better to meet you for a free beer courtesy of SweetWater Brewing Company! (see pictures)

Looking for the next Longleaf Award Winner- Generation Green is looking for the next emerging environmental leader and we need your help! Please review our nomination criteria and nominate your choice for the 2010 Longleaf award today. (click here for criteria)

Upcoming events (see full event calendar here, download the 2010 Coastal Tour brochure or the tenative 2010 trip schedule):

Home Sweet Home Habitat Art Contest highlights Georgia's Red Hills - This annual, statewide contest for students in third, fourth and fifth grades highlights a specific Georgia habitat each year. Participants submit personal artwork depicting habitats such as bogs or rock outcrops for judging. Download the 2010 "Red Hills" contest information here.

3/6 - Oyster Roast Tickets on Sale Now! - The Georgia Conservancy cordially invites you to our 2010 Oyster Roast on Saturday, March 6th from 12:30 - 4:30 pm at Ft. McAllister State Park, Richmond Hil. Please join us, our coastal members and friends for a celebration of our state parks. This family-friendly event will feature nature walks, historic tours, live entertainment, barbecue lunch, wine and SweetWater beer, and fresh local oysters. This event is rain or shine. Please register by February 27th. Member rate: $25 per person. Non-member rate: $35 per person includes a discounted membership. Children under 12: Free, donations appreciated. Click here to reserve you space today! Share with your friends on Facebook.

3/17 - Sunset on Stone Mountain: join Generation Green on a moderate hike up to Stone Mountain on Saturday, March 13. Bring your own picnic dinner, water bottle and flashlight. RSVP today. Free

4/10 -  Paddle the black waters of Ebenezer Creek: Known for some of the best paddling on the Georgia coast, Ebenezer Creek is one of only four waterways designated as a Georgia Scenic River. $30 per members, $55 per nonmember. RSVP here.

Who We Are:

Founded in 1967, the Georgia Conservancy collaborates, advocates and educates to protect Georgia's natural environment. By focusing on clean air and water, land conservation, coastal protection, growth management and environmental education, the Georgia Conservancy works to develop solutions to protect Georgia's environment and promote the stewardship of the vital natural resources.