panoramaGEORGIA CONSERVANCY • WINTER 2017

georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 1 panorama THE MAGAZINE OF THE CONSERVANCY The is a statewide, member-supported conservation organization. Our work for environmental advocacy, land conservation, coastal protection, sustainable growth and outdoor stewardship FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT recognizes the connection between the environment, the economy and Georgia’s quality of life. our past is your present BOARD OF TRUSTEES GENERATION GREEN BOARD ifty years. That’s longer than I’ve been around and I feel like that’s been C. Edward Dobbs Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbs Ben Stowers Stowers & Company ,* , Board Chair, ,** Board Chair, forever. A lot can change in 50 years. Children, grandchildren and Brent Beatty, Atlanta, Primary Theory Chelsea Arkin, Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs F Mark S. Berry, Ph.D., Douglasville, Georgia Power Company Jenni Asman, Georgia State University even great-grandchildren are added to family trees. Trends rise and fall and Gregory W. Blount, Atlanta, Troutman Sanders Meredith Brown, Cox Enterprises rise again. Technology? Where to begin? We live in a world that is ever- Roger Bowman, Rincon, Gulfstream Drew Cutright, Georgia Institute of Technology changing, sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst. Amanda Brown Olmstead, Atlanta, A. Brown-Olmstead Associates Buck Dixon, Troutman Sanders, LLP For 50 years, the Georgia Conservancy has ridden and even sometimes Charlie Covert,* Milton, UPS Katherine Huded,* Rubicon Global influenced this tide of history and change. Robust, fast website? We got it. Randy Earley, Marietta, Cox Enterprises Sasha Friedman, UPS Greg Euston,* Marietta, McGraw Euston Associates Nell Fry,* Sustainability Consultant Creating a GPS map of our only National Seashore? We did it. Patrice Thompson Francis, Atlanta, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy Wesley Holmes, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Our methods may have evolved, but one thing that has remained Steve Green, Savannah, Stephen Green Properties Nikishka Iyengar, Rubicon Global constant is our mission to conserve Georgia’s natural resources. Since day Chris Hagler,* Atlanta, Ernst & Young Abbie King, Georgia Organics one - a cold February morning in 1967 at Sweetwater Creek – we have Robert Ramsay Peter Hartman, Atlanta, Hartman Simons & Wood LLP Rachel Maher, Park Pride not let up in our efforts to forward conservation in this state. The citizen Holden T. Hayes, Savannah, South State Bank Maggie Nicholson, Event and Marketing Professional President Chet Hurwitz,* Atlanta, Attorney Anne Rogers, Georgia Institute of Technology leaders who founded the Georgia Conservancy that day carved the path [email protected] Joann G. Jones,* Atlanta, Baker Hostetler Ashay Shah, Deloitte that is as necessary today as it was at our founding, and one that we will Kirk Malmberg,* Marietta, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Joey Shea,* Southface continue to follow. Leslie D. Mattingly,* St. Simons Island, Private Counsel Attorney Christina Smith, ICF International We are reminded every day that conservation is never over; it is an George N. Mori,* Atlanta, SolAmerica Energy Taylor Spicer, Emory University unending journey, where successes can be erased with the stroke of a pen Randal Morris, White Oak, GP Cellulose Joe Thomas,* Trees Atlanta and where places that were thought lost to the destruction of people can PJ Newcomb, Decatur, Coca-Cola North America Leila Costa, Sodexo Ranse Partin,* Atlanta, Conley Griggs Partin LLP Sister Ward, AGL Resources rise from the ashes. This has been evident throughout our 50 years and Panorama THE GEORGIA CONSERVANCY Russ Pennington, Brookhaven, Pennington Consulting Services, Inc. this theme will become clear as you read this issue of magazine, MISSION Philip Roberts, Ph.D., Atlanta, Georgia Institute of Technology which focuses much on our past and present work on Cumberland Island, Alex Robinson,* Atlanta, Axiom and as you explore our 50th Anniversary webpage. To protect and conserve Georgia’s natural Ben Stowers,** Atlanta, Stowers & Company Georgia is the sixth most biodiverse state in the Union. We are blessed Charles Stripling, Ph.D., Camilla, Stripling, Inc. *Executive Committee Member resources through advocacy, engagement Chet Tisdale, Atlanta, Retired Partner, King & Spalding **Ex Officio Member every day to have our mountains and plateaus in the north, our forests and and collaboration. Malon Wickham, Columbus, Wells Fargo Advisors wetlands in our south, and our incredible salt marshes and barrier islands on our coast – all connected by an incredible network of streams and rivers that support, in one way or another every living thing in this state. And GEORGIA CONSERVANCY STAFF through the support of our members and partners, we’ve been successful at protecting and supporting the conservation of a number of incredible Robert Ramsay,** President Monica Thornton, Vice President places across this diverse state, precious places like Cumberland Island, Renee Alston, Senior Corporate Engagement Manager Sweetwater Creek State Park, the , Sprewell Bluff on Laura Buckmaster, Stewardship Trips Coordinator the Flint River and the Area. We will celebrate Leah Dixon, Advocacy Director Headquarters these stories and more throughout our 50th anniversary year. Brian Foster, Communications Director If our state, as a whole, is to remain one of our nation’s great natural Ben Fowler, Stewardship Trips Director 230 Peachtree Street, Suite 1250 Johanna McCrehan, Urban Design Lead Atlanta, GA 30303 wonders, we must continue our mission into the next 50 years and remain Charles H. McMillan III, Coastal Director (404) 876 - 2900 on the path forged for us in 1967, all while adjusting to situations and Katherine Moore, Senior Director of Sustainable Growth [email protected] circumstances as they arise. Our Past is Your Present, and that means that Cara Murray, Cumberland Island Trail Restoration Fellow the present will determine our future. Lisa Patrick, Executive Assistant Coastal Office Cheri Robinson, Finance Manager 428 Bull Street, Suite 210 Bryan Schroeder, Senior Director of Development and Marketing Savannah, GA 31401 Alexis Torres, Donor Relations Director (912) 447 - 5910 Ermis Zayas, Development Director [email protected]

cover photo by William Brawley

2 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 3 NATURAL PARTNERS in this issue

Investing in Georgia’s Culture of Conservation

Nothing that the Georgia Conservancy has accomplished in our 50 years can be solely attributed to the work of our staff, volunteers, members and board of trustees. We pride ourselves on being an organization that collaborates with a diverse range of partners - our Natural Partners - with the goal of forwarding a culture of conservation in Georgia. Our Natural Partners are some of the Georgia Conservancy’s strongest allies in the conservation and stewardship of Georgia’s natural resources. Without the support of Natural Partners that have a stake in the environmental and economic well-being of our state, our mission would not be possible. Learn more at: www.georgiaconservancy.org/naturalpartners

photos by William Brawley, Phuc Dao, Sarah Dodge, and Becky Rentz

07. Creating Conservation: With this issue of Panorama, Cumberland Island Becomes a National Seashore we’re officially kicking off 12. Our 50th Gift to You! our 50th Anniversary and sharing with our readers how 16. Georgia’s Precious Places to celebrate with us: whether Five places we want to take you in 2017 by visiting a Precious Place, 17. 50TH anniversary & tent revivals attending our family reunion, Celebrate with us all year long! or sharing a story at a tent revival. We hope you’ll join us! 18. Recent Events 20. program updates 22. 2017 calendar

4 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 5 CREATING CONSERVATION: Cumberland Island Becomes a National Seashore Part One: The Georgia Conservancy on Cumberland, 1967-1972 Written by Brian Foster

ot a day goes by when the it began at one of the most critical NGeorgia Conservancy isn’t, periods of Cumberland Island’s in some form or fashion, focused history. In the late 1960s, we on the stewardship of Cumberland placed ourselves squarely into the Island and our ongoing efforts to conversations and debates that led realize the island’s vision as stated to Cumberland’s establishment as a in its purpose statement, that: National Seashore, and we haven’t “Cumberland Island National been quiet since. Seashore maintains the primitive, Towering dunes, lush maritime undeveloped character of one of the forests, inland lakes, miles of largest and most ecologically diverse deserted beach -- 36,000 acres of barrier islands on the Atlantic coast, solitude. The wild island that we while preserving scenic, scientific know today may seem like a largely and historical values, and provid- untouched relic from the Pleisto- ing outstanding opportunities for cene epoch, but the conservation outdoor recreation and solitude.” successes that we see and feel today Cumberland Island is woven on Cumberland Island did not into the history of the Georgia happen naturally – they were hard Conservancy. From our earliest fought by citizens, Cumberland advocacy efforts to the development landowners, conservation organiza- of Cumberland’s first GPS trail map tions and dedicated elected officials. to our most recent service weekend, Cumberland, Georgia’s south- the island encompasses the grand ernmost barrier island and the vision of our 50 years and is truly longtime estate of the Carnegie representative of the belief that family and their descendants, had conservation is never over. Today, been enjoyed by generations of the just as during our founding in 1967 family as a retreat to wilderness and long before, there remains the and respite from life in the public debate over how best to conserve eye. Though parts of the island and support this national treasure. saw development for family homes Our story on Cumberland, an and other private amenities, the island rich in human and cultural vast majority of the island was left history dating back thousands of to nature’s devices. By the middle years, is only five decades old, but of the century, Cumberland had photo by Milton Bell con’t on next page

6 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 7 photo from Georgia Conservancy archives become well-known to the Depart- tion to Cumberland Island. A issue”, leading to the formation of engaged the public to push for ment of the Interior as one of the controversy and subsequent fight a coastal “action group” chaired swifter action. last remaining examples of large- over the mining of phosphate in by Georgia Conservancy trustee, One of those development pres- scale maritime conservation on the 25,000 acres of coastal marsh in “Cumberland Island in Eugene Odum, Ph.D. The group sures came in the form of Charles nation’s Eastern Seaboard. Chatham County during 1968 had southeast Georgia is examined ideas for the best use Fraser, president of the Sea Island Looking to secure their future drawn the Georgia Conservancy’s considered by the survey of Cumberland Island, including Pines Plantation on Hilton Head presence on Cumberland, while stewardship focus to Georgia’s to be the best of its National Park designation and Island in South Carolina. A few at the same time respecting the coastal resources. As a result, the Wilderness protection. years earlier, Fraser had purchased natural character of the island that Georgia Conservancy took an active type—the low-lying Early in 1970, prompted by 3,000 acres of the island from they had long enjoyed, Carnegie interest in Cumberland Island and lands separated from the former Interior Secretary Stewart the Carnegie heirs and began to descendants looked to the Depart- other discussions regarding the mainland by stretches Udall, discussions with Cumber- promote the development of his ment of the Interior’s National Park conservation of our other barrier of marsh and rivers or land heirs and recent meetings parcels, all while encouraging Service for options that would lead islands. estuaries.... This ‘sea with Georgia Conservancy rep- the preservation of the rest of the to the permanent protection of The Georgia Conservancy island’ is thought to resentatives, Congressman Wil- island. Cumberland Island. board of trustees added new board contain practically all liam Stuckey of Georgia’s 8th In the spring of 1970, in order Beginning in the 1950s and members in January 1969, includ- the desirable features for Congressional District introduced to head off the recent attempt by increasing in the mid-1960s, these ing Cumberland Island landowner House Resolution 15686 calling Congressman Stuckey to designate discussions eventually grew into the Charles Howard Candler III. When public enjoyment. . . . for designation of the entirety of the island as a National Seashore, legislation to create Cumberland the executive committee met in Cumberland Island as a National Fraser secretly began to develop his photo by Phuc Dao Island National Seashore, even February, Board Chair Norman Seashore. House Interior Commit- tract on the north end by clearing though the threat of Cumberland Smith reported on a Cumberland - 1955 National Park Service” tee staff predicted a delay of several land for a mile-long airstrip and Island’s development loomed Island study that the Sierra Club report, Our Vanishing years, since other proposals were two roads. The Georgia Conser- around every corner. had funded. Smith recommended Coastline already pending. But development vancy took notice. After our founding in February that the Georgia Conservancy pressures and state proposals soon In May, after an investigation 1967, the Georgia Conservancy become a “clearinghouse for became an issue, and the Georgia by Georgia Conservancy staff and didn’t take long to turn our atten- information on this many-sided Conservancy and other partners partners confirmed Fraser’s inten- con’t on next page

8 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 9 10 | panorama winter2017 | georgiaconservancy.org on . Thispublicshow - groups tosponsoramassive rally worked with10otherConservancy National Park theGeorgia Service, ofCumberlandconservation by the the island,andtopromote the of the efforts Fraser todevelop alternative this new approach, decry area. To emphasize anoppositionto to develop itasactive recreational Georgia acquire Cumberland Island mounting tohave theState of or never. Island from development wasnow that actiontoprotect Cumberland berland andmembersofCongress other private landowners onCum- greater public,helpingtoconvince attention ofourmembersandthe brought Fraser’s tothe destruction editorJimnewsletter Morrison the Georgia Conservancy’s then- he hadcreated onHilton Head, private recreation, similartowhat tions tobuildcommunitiesfor By June, interest wasalso regarding thesecondCumberland on National Parks andRecreation ing oftheHouse Subcommittee provisions. During apublichear - tections andconservation-oriented include greater environmental pro- Island National Seashore evolved to legislation tocreate Cumberland gressman William Stuckey’s original by theNational Park Service. forfuturethe property acquisition Parks Foundation wouldpreserve Mellon Foundation. The National through thefinancialbackingof to theNational Parks Foundation holdings onCumberland Island sures, soldthevast majorityofhis shifting opinionsandpublicpres- September, Fraser, succumbingto debate throughout thesummer, in inaheatedGeorgia Conservancy paid off. publicly-accessible Cumberland and forapreserved ing ofsupport During thenexttwoyears, Con- Although heengagedthe con’t onpage 15 photo by Phuc Dao artwork byartwork Gentlemen Design georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter2017 | 11

A “hiker friendly” version of our Cumberland Island Trail Map (pull out this inset). For full sized trail map complete with trail descriptions and distance markers and Garmin GPS downloads visit www.gaconservancy.org/cumberland-trails Artwork: Georgia Conservancy’s Precious Places 1 of 5 - Cumberland Island. Learn more at gaconservancy.org/50th georgiaconservancy.org/cumberland-trails Southerner General Store. tear resistant / water resistant paper are available online at e Bitter Physical versions of the Cumberland Island Trail Maps printed on Copyright © 2017 Georgia Conservancy

ONSERV C AN IA C G Y R O E

G

T

N

E

S

E

R

O

P

U

R

R

U

P

O

A Y

S S I T

Cartography by RedwoodCartography Hikes Press Campbell, CA water) (non-potable

12 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 13 Cumberland Island Becomes a National Seashore, con’t

photo by Becky Rentz photo by Julian Buckmaster

bill, introduced by Stuckey and Georgia Conservancy-supported op stronger conservation-minded Georgia Congressman Ronald “Bo” provisions that required the Depart- management processes and refined Ginn, Georgia Conservancy trustee ment of the Interior to conduct a Wilderness definitions that have led William Griffin testified in favor of wilderness feasibility study for the to the greater ecological protection the establishment of Cumberland newly created National Seashore of Cumberland. Island National Seashore. Griffin and that prohibited the building of In 1982, these efforts paid off stated that the Conservancy wanted a causeway to the island. when Congressman Ginn, along Cumberland under the custody of Hard-fought efforts to establish with Senators Mack Mattingly the National Park Service, “manag- Cumberland Island as a National and Sam Nunn, helped shepherd ing the island in such a way that Seashore were successful, but the legislation designating 8,840 acres each visitation is a quality visita- tangled web of private property and of Cumberland Island as Federal tion” and that the Conservancy retained rights agreements would Wilderness. favored giving the Department of have to immediately be addressed the Interior the right of eminent during the development of the domain so that the whole island island’s management plan and wil- Part 2 of the Georgia could eventually be included under derness feasibility study. The Con- Conservancy’s role in Cumberland Park Service jurisdiction. servancy threw itself headlong into Behind-the-scenes lobbying the efforts to steer the island’s man- Island Wilderness efforts during efforts by another Georgia Conser- agement toward one that promoted the 1970s and 80s can be found vancy trustee, Jane Yarn, was also an increasingly wild Cumberland. at www.georgiaconservany.org/ effective in strengthening the bill. Throughout the 1970s and into cumberland/history The final amended legislation to the 1980s, Georgia Conservancy create Cumberland Island National Coastal Director Hans Neuhauser, Seashore, passed by Congress with the help of numerous staff, and signed by President Nixon trustees and members, worked with on October 23, 1972, included the National Park Service to devel-

14 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 15 Y O C U N R

A P V A

S R

T

E

S I

S

N

Y

O

Georgia Conservancy at 50 Family Reunion & Revivals O

C

U

R A

I

th

P G

We’re getting the family back together! We invite you to our 50 Anniversary Family R

R

E

O S

E E G N Our Past is Your Present T Reunion and Celebration at Sweetwater Creek State Park on April 1, 2017.

To celebrate our 50th Anniversary, the Georgia Conservancy has selected five “Precious Places” to tell the story of Join us for a day of outdoor recreation, education, and all-around-fun for Georgia Conservancy members, friends Georgia’s incredible natural areas and the men and women who dedicated their lives to protect them. Through- and those who have just heard of the work that we do. Thanks to REI and Georgia State Parks we will host free out the year, we’ll share our conservation stories and encourage people to share with the world what makes these classes, activities, games, and a cookout courtesy of Fox Bros. BBQ and Sweetwater Brewing Company. We want places great today, because our past is your present. to underscore the idea that conservation isn’t an accident. The places that we love to hike, paddle and explore today are places that someone in the past fought hard to protect. At Sweetwater Creek State Park, that someone was the Georgia Conservancy. For more information visit www.georgiaconservancy.org/familyreunion Please visit georgiaconservancy. org/50th to explore our 50 years online. conservation - exploration 1. Cumberland Island 2. Sweetwater Creek State Park 3. Cohutta Wilderness with the Georgia Conservancy 4. Flint River at Sprewell dates LCATINS Bluff March 25 Altamaha Regional Park 5. 1 2 May 12 Towns Bluff Park Sept. 29 Mile Branch Park

TELL YOUR STORY ALL AGES WELCOME www.georgiaconservancy.org/50th/tentrevivals

It’s time for a camp meeting - a chance to renew, reframe and explore what it means to love the great outdoors in 2017. Join the Georgia Conservancy for a good old fashioned environmental revival and BBQ at one of our 2017 Tent Revivals. Hosted in conjunction with our Heartland Rivers of Georgia Paddle Series trips, our “tent revivals” are an invitation to learn more about the Georgia Conservancy and share your story about being a conservationist. 3 4 5 photos by William Brawley, Phuc Dao, and Jim Farmer 16 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 17 RECENT EVENTS Cumberland Island Private Property Statement The protection of Cumberland Island National Seashore remains one of the Georgia Conservancy’s top priorities

National Seashore is not complete, National Seashore as a primitive even 45 years after its establishment island accessible to the general by the National Park Service. public for education, relaxation and It is vital that the Camden passive recreation. County Board of Commissioners, This collaborative effort will the National Park Service, private need to build trust by respecting landowners on Cumberland Island private property rights, yet be tem- and the greater conservation com- pered by the need to continue the munity in Georgia work in concert work that has protected this won- to forward the vision and stated derful island so well. purpose of Cumberland Island photo by Julian Buckmaster OUR CONCERNS CENTER photo by Phuc Dao ON THE FOLLOWING his winter, a private landown- Camden County zoning regula- experience on the island. Spaceport Camden GENERAL TOPICAL AREAS: er, Lumar LLC, was granted tions currently regulate the land use The Purpose Statement for Cum- T An Update on the Proposed Camden Spaceport a variance by Camden County activities of this tract and of other berland Island National Seashore • Environmental issues on a larger scale (regional), Planning Commission to divide an private holdings on Cumberland states: “Cumberland Island National • Impacts to adjoining 87.51-acre tract of private prop- Island. The Lumar LLC tract is Seashore maintains the primitive, amden County is seeking economic development by building a sites and landscape scale erty on Cumberland Island into 10 currently zoned by the county as a undeveloped character of one of the Cfacility to launch rockets from an abandoned, rural munitions plant that lies a few miles west of the Cumberland Island National Seashore. natural resources (including parcels. The approval of the vari- Conservation Preservation District, largest and most ecologically diverse The area where the spaceport is to be built is east of I-95 and borders National Park wilderness), ance is currently under appeal by which carries a number of restric- barrier islands on the Atlantic coast, one of the highest functioning estuarine ecosystems on the East Coast, • Site-specific development, several environmental groups. This tions regarding how the property while preserving scenic, scientific, where the Satilla River empties into St. Andrews Sound. Many threatened mitigation and conservation variance was required because the owner can use the land, including and historical values and providing or endangered species are found on and around the spaceport property, measures, and lots will front an unpaved road, a prohibition of the installation outstanding opportunities for outdoor including bald eagles, wood storks, right whales and indigo snakes. • Property rights and Park Cumberland Island’s Main Road, or construction of any residential recreation and solitude.” It is unclear from the development details how a spaceport will benefit operations related to instead of a paved road. The tract structure. We urge the Camden County the county or what financial impacts it may have for Camden’s citizens. “launch exclusion areas”. is just north of Cumberland Island Thus the site will also require Board of Commissioners to enforce Given the lack of design and operational information for the Spaceport, National Seashore’s Sea Camp and rezoning to allow for single family the intent of current zoning regula- the Federal Aviation Administration consultant charged with drafting the The Georgia Conservancy spans the east-west width of the homes. Ten homes on this narrow tions as they pertain to Conserva- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has a big job, which might explain looks forward to the upcoming island from beach to marsh. This parcel is well beyond the scope of tion Preservation Districts so as to why it has taken over a year to develop the, yet unreleased, environmental opportunity to review project plans and understand the long area of private landholding has any development on Cumberland ensure that private residential struc- document. The Conservancy will look to the EIS to use science to address term vision Camden County has never been owned by the National in the last 75 years. It is also com- tures will not be permitted in such the issues, such as environmental impacts for the project and any related for this ecologically-important Park Service during the more than pletely out of context of the con- districts on Cumberland Island. development the project may bring to this ecologically-important area of Camden County. area of the lower Satilla River. for 40-year history of the National servation planning that has sought This current issue is a reminder Seashore. to maintain ecological connectivity to all that the work to fully realize and a uniquely unspoiled visitor the purpose of Cumberland Island Stay tuned: 2017 will be an important year for this project. The Georgia Conservancy will immediately update our website and inform our membership when the EIS or significant new information is released. con’t on next page

18 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 19 program updates catch the latest

Advocacy

wo ballot referenda in Fulton County for land conservation were successful after the votes were counted on Election Day on November 8. Residents of Johns Creek and Milton both Ideal cleaners overwhelminglyT supported bond packages totaling $65 million for land pop up conservation and greenspace in their communities. City In Johns Creek, the Parks & Green Space Bond will create new parks Hall and trails, provide for the improvement of existing parks and protect land along the . In Milton, the Conservation Land, Wildlife Habitat, Natural Area and Trail Bond will protect water quality in local rivers and streams, provide recreational trails for walking, biking and horseback riding, protect natural areas for wildlife habitat, preserve agricultural land, and create and improve parks. rendering for Calumet Village The funds in both communities can only be used for the purposes stated in the referenda and city resolutions. Sustainable Growth he Georgia Conservancy’s Alabama, the positive economic These measures were publicly supported by a partnership of the Blueprints for Successful and environmental impacts that Learn more at: Georgia Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, Land Trust Alliance www.georgiaconservancy.org/blueprints Communities team is the county’s outdoor recreational workingT on two studios in west amenities provide have been and The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. photo by William Brawley Georgia. Our Blueprints Studio weighed heavily. has been asked by county officials The second West Georgia to undertake a land use study as Blueprints Studio is focusing on the Legislative Update part of the creation of Paulding downtown LaGrange neighborhood County’s 10-Year Comprehensive of Calumet Village. During the 2017 Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Conservancy is at the Georgia State Capitol every Plan Update. Recent efforts have centered day of the legislative session pushing for conservation-minded bills and fighting against legislation that Georgia Conservancy’s work on thoughtful revitalization, infill would roll back the advancements that we’ve already made. began with an examination of and retrofitting of downtowns and watersheds and natural features in in-town neighborhoods, specifically This session, we are focusing on a number of important issues and anticipate the filing of a number of bills a desire to help the county reinvest in smaller cities across Georgia. that will have an impact on Georgia’s natural resources, which may include: in existing communities, such Thanks to local leadership and civic as Dallas, Hiram and Braswell, investment, the team has brought • Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act • Petroleum Pipelines and to accommodate future this knowledge to Calumet Village. • Hunting & Fishing License Fees growth with minimal impact to This historic mill village has • School Siting / Minimum Acreage Requirements the environment. As Paulding close proximity to downtown. It • Coastal Greenway County is home to the Paulding has an historic street grid, and a • Freshwater Buffers Forest Wildlife Management Area, new public park, but struggles • Shoreline Protection Act one of metro Atlanta’s largest to establish its identity as a place • Stormwater Utility Fees WMAs, as well as the extremely for ‘good living’ within larger popular segment of the Silver LaGrange. The Sustainable Growth To find out more, please sign up to receive our weekly legislative update, online at www.georgiaconservancy.org/advocacy Comet Trail, a 61-mile bike path team will produce this report in that travels between Georgia and early spring.

20 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 21 When you donate to the Georgia Conservancy, your support goes to...

o ta ou o aoay at t Capitol potti oia atual ou

lai o ta popl outoo o ay o t ya TRIPS AND EVENTS www.gaconservancy.org/calendar pali il o oia oatal i 1967 2017 Oyster Roast at Grove Point Plantation (3/4) aita i putti a o la MARCH 1967 Fourth Saturday Banff Mountain Film Fest (3/18 - 3/19) ito pat oatio Field Trips Series Altamaha Trip & Tent Revival (3/25) The first Fourth Saturday Okefenokee Swamp April Field Trip began on February 50th Anniversary at Sweetwater Creek (4/1) 25, 1967 with a hike to Three Rivers Paddle & Tent Revival (5/13) Sweetwater Creek. Those present that day adopted the Brasstown Bald MAY Spring Creek Paddle (6/2) uati o ta patiipat resolution that would establish Conasauga Snorkel (6/16) the Georgia Conservancy. o oo ai pati june Verde! (TBD) (photo above from the (7/7) Georgia Conservancy archives) Montezuma Bluff (7/15) july ChattATL Paddle (7/22) And that’s just in FY2016. Cloudland Canyon (8/4) Stay in touch to see what else is in store for this year! Mosteller Plantation august Flint Family Adventure (9/9) Ossabaw Island Service Weekend (9/15) In celebration of our 50th Anniversary and the founding year of The Georgia Oakfuskee Trail september ecoBenefête (TBD) Conservancy, we’re excited to announce the 1967 Society, a giving society for donors Ocmulgee Paddle & Tent Revival (9/29) $2,500 and above. Providence Canyon october Yellow River Paddle & Jam (10/7) Our goal is to bring in 50 Society members in 2017 and “initiate” our founding Service Weekend (10/13) members at our fall ecoBenefête gala. Members of the 1967 Society receive Okefenokee Adventure (11/3) complimentary invitations to ecoBenefête, a special lapel pin, recognition in Emory University Lecture by Eugene Odum november Conservancy publications, and invitations to Society only events and trips. Jekyll Island Paddle (11/10) Firelight (TBD) Please contact Donor Relations Director Alexis Torres for more information. Georgia Department of Archives & History december Ebenezer Creek Paddle (12/2) Cumberland Sea Camp Adventure (12/8) Thank you for helping make Georgia a place where people and the environment thrive.

22 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.org georgiaconservancy.org | panorama winter 2017 | 23 cover photo by William Brawley

PRINTING PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF ATLANTA

#thisismyga

@gaconservancy24 | panorama winter 2017 | georgiaconservancy.orgPROTECTING AND EXPLORING GEORGIA SINCE 1967.