Author Archives: The Georgia Conservancy

By 2035, Georgia’s landscapes may look vastly different, both in the wild and in the way we care for them. Guiding the state through the next decade of ecological stewardship is the newly released 2025–2035 Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a forward-looking strategy designed to conserve the state’s natural resources for both wildlife and […]

When we think of land and water conservation, housing might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be. Because how—and where—we house people is one of the most important environmental decisions we make. In cities and towns across the country, the lack of affordable housing near job centers and public […]

By Brian Foster, Georgia Conservancy With fewer than 370 North Atlantic right whales remaining, including just 70 breeding females, this species is on the brink of extinction. Once abundant along the Atlantic coastline, these whales now face an uncertain future due to ship strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, and habitat loss. Each winter, right whales […]

By Monét Murphy, Georgia Conservancy Coastal Conservation & Engagement Fellow The journey to safeguard the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), Georgia’s revered state marine mammal, commenced with acknowledging the species’ precarious existence. With fewer than 350 individuals left, this whale is the most endangered large whale species on Earth. Each winter, these majestic beings […]

Atlanta high schooler learns to love the swamp By Zain Khemani, student at The New School Every year, the Okefenokee Swamp receives more than 600,000 visits from Georgia and beyond – all from people looking to experience the wonders of the Swamp. Those tourists prop up local businesses and keep a steady flow of income […]

There’s a reason Georgia is nicknamed the Peach State. Every year, approximately 1.6 million peach trees bear over 130 million pounds of peaches, worth billions of dollars in farm gate value. And while Georgia’s peach production lags behind other land-rich states, the size and prominence of our agricultural sector speaks to a time-honored tradition of […]

Announcement made at gala honoring former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin On November 4th, Georgia Conservancy held its 27th annual ecoBenefête gala, honoring former Atlanta mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin with the organization’s prestigious Distinguished Conservationist Award. The evening brought together supporters of the Georgia Conservancy’s work to celebrate and reflect on Mayor Franklin’s legacy as a […]

New film highlights the Swamp and mining proposal The Georgia Conservancy continues to express serious concerns regarding a proposed heavy mineral mine near the edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Georgia. In late 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that under the Trump Administration’s recently-adapted Clean Water Act guidance, […]

By Katherine Moore, Vice President of Programs and Sustainable Growth Program Director, The Georgia Conservancy & Nick Johnson, Senior Planner, The Georgia Conservancy Depending on how you look at it, Georgia is a study in contrasts. On one hand, Georgia is experiencing tremendous growth. According to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budgeting, Georgia is […]