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This Is Your Georgia Autumn 2020

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This Is Your Georgia Autumn 2020 THIS IS YOUR GEORGIA AUTUMN 2020 www.GeorgiaConservancy.org Join Us - November 19 Put away those evening gowns and three-piece suits, this year’s ecoBenefête can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own homes! Like much of our programming in 2020, our annual gala is taking the health and safety of our supporters to heart and has gone virtual. But don’t fret, ecoBenefête will continue to bring to you an entertaining evening filled with inspiring stories of conservation champions and precious places, a robust silent auction with interesting and unique items and opportunities, plus special appearances from Georgia Conservancy friends. Secure your spot today to join us remotely on November 19 at 6:30 PM as we honor Dr. Johnny Bembry as this year’s Distinguished Conservationist for his lifelong work to advance sustainable forestry practices and the use of conservation easements and programs on working lands in Georgia and beyond. The celebration of Georgia’s people and environment doesn’t end there. This year, we will present Brionté McCorkle, Executive Director of Georgia Conservation Voters, with the Longleaf Award, which is given annually by the Georgia Conservancy’s Generation Green board and recognizes the outstanding work of an emerging environmental or sustainability leader in metro Atlanta. Also being recognized is the legacy of Georgia’s Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, which has proven to be critical in the protection of the coastal ecosystem that we enjoy today. Celebrate the conservation achievements of Georgia’s past and present, and join us as we share with you our vision of Georgia’s future - for its lands, waters, and peoples. Help ensure a better tomorrow for Georgia and Georgians over the next 50 years by getting involved today. To learn more and purchase your tickets, please visit: www.georgiaconservancy.org/ecobenefete Printing generously provided by federal home loan bank of Atlanta THE 2020 NPU-G MASTER PLAN UPDATE A Sustainable Vision for Northwest Atlanta THIS IS YOUR GEORGIA The President’s Letter The Georgia Conservancy has been my home for the last 11 years. I look forward to serving as its next Left: metro Atlanta with NPU-G shaded dark grey. Right: NPU-G with focus on property types and land-use. President and continuing to work with my colleagues, Throughout 2020, the Georgia Conservancy’s Sustainable Growth Program our Board of Trustees, has continued to work with partners at the City of Atlanta, Atlanta Housing, and our partners for a EPA Region 4, other agency partners, and community members to promote the conservation-focused and adoption of Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit-G Master Plan Update, a sustainable Georgia. component of the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan. NPU-G is located in an area of northwest Atlanta that has witnessed a wave of The Georgia Conservancy new interest from policymakers, planners, landscape architects, and developers continues to be uniquely as discussions continue around the environmental restoration of Proctor Creek, positioned to move the completion of the Proctor Creek Greenway, the development of Westside conversations into actions Reservoir Park, and future restoration and recreational opportunities along the to serve our fellow Chattahoochee River corridor. Georgians, our precious This plan update is tasked with addressing 9 years of community changes, but natural resources, and the also with examining the area from a natural resource, green infrastructure, and communities we call home. recreation perspective. Through a rigorous planning process, including thoughtful I am excited by the and frequent engagement with NPU-G leadership and citizens, the Georgia role that the Georgia Conservancy made several updated recommendations that could help NPU-G’s Conservancy will play in unique neighborhoods to build their own future as a welcoming community for seizing these opportunities Atlanta families of all kinds. Updated recommendations for NPU-G fell into and leading these efforts. three broad categories: connectivity, redevelopment, and environment & natural Together, we can resources. ensure Georgia’s lands are Working closely with students from Georgia Tech’s College of Design the sustainably used, conserved, Georgia Conservancy’s recommendations focused on ways to promote the stewarded, and accessible for economic, environmental, and social health of NPU-G’s neighborhoods so future generations. that current residents and new neighbors alike could enjoy a higher quality of life. Through this process, a greater understanding emerged of how thoughtful redevelopment could work in tandem with environmental restoration and community strengthening efforts, Our efforts to develop the NPU-G Master Plan have been generously supported by the Turner Foundation, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation. Katherine Moore, President Georgia Conservancy Learn more: georgiaconservancy.org/blueprints/npug OKEFENOKEE PROTECTION ALLIANCE Safeguarding the Future of the Okefenokee UPDATE: Offshore Drilling The Okefenokee Swamp is the largest National September’s announcement from the Trump Wildlife Refuge east of the Mississippi. It defines the Administration to extend a moratorium on geography and much of the economy in the southeast offshore oil and gas exploration along the corner of Georgia, which depends upon the tourism it coasts of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina draws. is welcome news. Our offshore waters and Much of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge expansive, productive salt marsh are far too has been designated as a federal wilderness area, the precious to expose to the detrimental effects of highest form of protection provided to federal lands, offshore drilling. to preserve the natural state of tannin-stained waters, There remain additional measures, however, fire-scorched forest, and resurrected prairie without that should be taken to ensure that Georgia’s the threat of future development or degradation. coast remains permanently protected. It remains to be seen, however, if wilderness Not included in this 10-year moratorium designation will help with impacts from adjoining extension are the mid-Atlantic states of properties. Such a controversial issue is before us now. North Carolina and Virginia. Offshore Twin Pines, LLC is seeking a permit to mine titanium leasing boundaries on government maps are sands just to the east of the Refuge, on a geologic just imaginary lines. Oil spills do not abide feature named Trail Ridge. This low sand ridge forms by them, nor does the wildlife that inhabit a sill which acts as a dam between the Okefenokee and our oceans. To ensure that Georgia’s coastal St. Marys River. ecosystems, which are home to a robust fishing The Georgia Conservancy is concerned that if this and shrimping industry, remain healthy and permit is issued there will be impacts on the water functioning and safe from oil spills, our Federal quality and hydrology of the Okefenokee and the St. government must look at including the entire Marys River. Based on the broad interest in protecting Atlantic seaboard in this moratorium extension the Okefenokee from the threats posed by nearby and begin the process of making these mining, the Georgia Conservancy and a coalition of protections permanent. more than thirty environmental organizations have Thank you to all our members who continue come together to form the Okefenokee Protection to express their concerns. Your voices are Alliance under the broad mandate to support the heard. Our Congressional delegation has swamp and oppose what is bad for it. expressed opposition to offshore oil and gas Meanwhile, despite some delays due to COVID-19, exploration along our coast, and our elected the mining proposal has continued to advance. We officials at the state level, especially our coastal anticipate a U.S. Army Corps decision on the course leadership, have advocated for state resolutions of the further environmental review in the next few in opposition. Vocal and bi-partisan support of months. However, to date, the information provided our coastal communities and natural resources by Twin Pines is not sufficiently complete to allow for has proven crucial in the White House’s a thorough review of the project, so opponents of the decision to include Georgia in this extended project are requesting a full Environmental Impact moratorium. Let’s remain vocal! Statement (EIS). There is too much at stake to allow Twin Pines to Learn more: gaconservancy.org/offshore-drilling start mining without subjecting the project to the rigorous analysis and public comment that an EIS provides. Local jobs and tourism increasingly benefit and play an essential role in helping bolster the international reputation of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. We cannot jeopardize such an incredible treasure. Learn more: gaconservancy.org/okefenokee/mining Sunrise at Cumberland Island National Seashore by Julian Buckmaster IN MEMORIAM: MARY BAILEY IZARD (1930-2020) EBONI PRESTON Georgia Conservancy Founding Member & Past Trustee New Chair of Generation Green The Georgia Conservancy’s young professional’s board, Generation Green, is excited to welcome Eboni Preston as its newest board chair. Eboni is the Director of Operations with the Greening Youth Foundation, an Atlanta- based nonprofit that engages Mary Izard (left) at the Georgia Conservancy’s 1968 Conference diverse youth and young adults by connecting them to The Georgia Conservancy family was saddened to learn of the the outdoors and careers in September
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