Latest from People, Places, Parks
A Century Later, Georgia’s Birds Still Need Us
By Adam Betuel, Executive Director, Birds Georgia On a warm July evening in 1926, more than 400 Purple Martins roosted in shade trees along Capitol Avenue – making a pit stop in Atlanta during their annual fall migration. But the birds’ presence wasn’t welcome by all. Neighbors complained of noise and unsanitary conditions. Police officers…
Designing for resilience is no longer optional, and parks play a crucial role
By Teri Nye, Park Pride’s Director of Park Visioning For Gena Wirth, designing for resilience isn’t a nice-to-have or a cherry on top — it’s a necessity. Gena is Design Principal & Partner at SCAPE Studio, a landscape architecture and urban design studio based in New York that focuses on new ways to knit nature…
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SaportaReport is proud to present the latest in Thought Leaders from across Georgia. Designed as a general forum where experts may host discussions about their respective fields, SaportaReport Thought Leadership is sponsored by various industry leaders from the Atlanta area. Atlanta is known as the City in the Trees! Atlanta Beltline Partnership, Georgia Audubon, Georgia Conservancy, Park Pride, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy and Georgia Native Plant Society contribute stories on the rich history of Atlanta’s nature scene, conservation and how we can create a better Atlanta one greenspace at a time.
More on People, Places, Parks
What Keeps the Atlanta Beltline Moving
As the Atlanta Beltline turns 20, let’s take a moment to reflect on what’s been accomplished so far and what lies ahead. This anniversary is more than a milestone: It is a celebration of a collective vision. Neighborhoods connected, parks created, trails built and communities strengthened. It’s also a call to action, because public and…
“My mind has been blown by this program”: Nine park leaders graduate from Park Pride’s Park Stewardship Academy
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager “What I’ve gained from the Park Stewardship Academy program is nearly immeasurable, and to be a steward of something is a true honor. My mind has been blown by this program,” said Marianna Lee with the Friends of Mountain Way Common. On Saturday, nine park…
Birds Georgia Announces Statewide Georgia Birding Trail to Celebrate Centennial
By Adam Betuel, Birds Georgia, Executive Director As part of its 100th anniversary celebration in 2026, Birds Georgia will launch the Georgia Birding Trail, a landmark legacy project designed to connect people, birds, and nature while strengthening the state’s growing nature-based economy. Georgia will become one of more than 25 states with a statewide birding…
Parks, People, Policy: Park Pride’s next chapter
By Omari Henderson, Chair of Park Pride’s Board of Directors Park Pride envisions an Atlanta where everyone has access to a great park. That’s the core of our new 2030 Strategic Framework, which will inform our work over the next five years. As Board Chair, this is the type of work that I’m passionate about,…
Just Launched: Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan
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…
Passing the baton to the next class of Atlanta city leaders: What will be your greenspace legacy?
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager It’s that time again — election season in the city. This November, the Atlanta City Council President and all City Council seats are reopening (in addition to other positions, including Mayor, School Board, Municipal Court Judges, and Public Service Commission). This year, three city leaders…
Building Financial Resilience: Atlanta Beltline and Bank of America Partner for Economic Empowerment
Atlanta faces some of the highest income inequality in the nation, with median household incomes showing stark disparities across communities. This October, as we observe National Financial Planning Month, the Atlanta Beltline is celebrating by expanding our commitment to community empowerment beyond trails, parks and housing. In partnership with Bank of America, we’re launching workshops…
Why Conservationists Should Care about Housing
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…
Bird-Safe Buildings: Small Changes, Big Impact
By Adam Betuel, Birds Georgia Twice each year, billions of birds take on the incredible journey of migration. Migrating primarily at night, the birds use our setting sun and stars as their guide, making occasional stops along the way to rest and refuel. The journey is long and difficult, and, in recent years, a threat…
Get ready for autumn adventures with Park Pride’s Park Picks: Fall Edition!
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Welcome to Park Pride’s Park Picks: 2025 Fall Edition! As autumn grows nearer and the weather begins to cool (although, knowing Atlanta, this could be the infamous false fall!), this is a great time to plan a few park outings around the City of Atlanta…
Birds Georgia Announces 2025 Fall Flyway Festival: A Celebration of Birds, Native Plants, and Community
Each September, millions of migratory birds pass through Georgia on their journey south, relying on our state’s native plants for food, shelter, and rest. To highlight this important connection, Birds Georgia will host its annual Fall Flyway Festival, a month-long series of events designed to celebrate birds, native plants, and community. From guided nature walks…
“We’re blessed to have a park, and we want to use it”: The Friends of Harper Park’s mission to make the greenspace a community cornerstone
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager “A lot of people don’t have parks. We’re blessed to have a park, and we want to use it,” said Joyce Smith, a community advocate and longtime resident of the Poole Creek neighborhood. Harper Park is a 13-acre park situated in the Poole Creek neighborhood…
Building Community Through Movement: Atlanta Beltline Race Series Gives Coveted Series Medal in 2025
One of the most popular ways that Atlantans experience the Atlanta Beltline is through running and walking. Our fitness programs are designed to encourage physical activity and support residents and visitors in pursuing healthier, more active lifestyles. One way we celebrate that is through our three-event race series, in partnership with the Atlanta Track Club:…
Teaming Up For Georgia’s Pollinators
By Nikki Belmonte, Georgia Native Plant Society Step outside during this sizzling summer and you will likely see a pollinator hovering, crawling or flying around in search of food. A pollinator is any animal that helps carry pollen from one flower to another, allowing the plant to become fertilized and produce fruit and seeds. More…
Building a network of greenspace leaders through Park Pride’s Park Stewardship Academy
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager It may be summer break now, but class is almost back in session! Our Director of Education, Eli Dickerson, is excitedly preparing for the third year of the Park Stewardship Academy (PSA). PSA is a three-month educational and skill-building program that equips community members with…
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