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Georgia Conservancy is a tax-exempt nonprofit, active since 1967, that runs land conservation, farmland conservation and coastal restoration programs in Georgia.

Generation Green's Sweetwater Creek Day Hike

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We still have a few tickets available for this Saturday’s Georgia Nature Fest at @mondaynightgarage! Georgia Nature Fest, is a celebration of everything we love about Georgia’s outdoors, and a powerful way to support the work that protects it. On Saturday, November 7 (4 PM – 8 PM), we’ll gather at Monday Night Garage, along the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail, for an evening filled with Southern flavors, local craft beverages, and live music But this is more than just a party—it’s a platform for purpose. Georgia Nature Fest is a fundraiser to support the Georgia Conservancy’s mission: healthy lands, thriving communities, and a future where every Georgian can enjoy the outdoors for generations to come. Your presence helps make that vision possible. #atlanta #exploregeorgia

In September, we hosted our annual Sapelo Island Service Weekend. From our home base at the University of Georgia Marine Institute, participants provided service work across campus and learned about island history and current events from UGA staff and island residents. Sapelo is one of those places where the more time you spend there, the more complicated and interesting it becomes. Over the weekend, participants got to explore how the island is managed through a unique combination of Georgia DNR, the University of Georgia Marine Institute, island residents, and community organizations, while also experiencing firsthand why its relative isolation has helped protect so much of its natural character. Participants learned about the island’s incredible ecological systems, from its maritime forests and salt marshes to the tides that shape almost everything around them. They also had an opportunity to better understand the history and present-day story of Hog Hammock, one of the last remaining Gullah Geechee communities on Georgia’s coast. Most importantly, the weekend reinforced that Sapelo is not simply a beautiful place to visit. It is a living landscape, research center, wildlife habitat, and home, and our service work is one small way we can support the people who continue to care for it. And, of course, Sapelo is just really, really cool.

In June, Georgia Conservancy led a special guided hike at the Lula Lake Land Trust’s Core Preserve, a protected landscape on Lookout Mountain known for its waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and conservation significance. During the hike, participants learned about the history of the Core Preserve, the land trust’s conservation efforts across more than 12,000 acres on Lookout Mountain, and the importance of protecting intact mountain watersheds. Native plant communities, regional ecology, and the role conservation organizations play in preserving access to places like this were also highlighted. The hike visited several of the preserve’s most notable features, including Lula Lake, the 110-foot Lula Falls, and scenic bluff overlooks that provide sweeping views across the surrounding valley. This was a wonderful experience to take in one of the most beautiful protected landscapes in northwest Georgia.

In May, the Georgia Conservancy led a day hike at High Falls State Park to experience both the park and the beautiful cascading Towaliga Falls. High Falls State Park was once home to a small industrial community built around the power of the Towaliga River. In the 1800s, the river supported grist mills, textile operations, and other water-powered industry, and parts of the old foundations and structures can still be seen near the trail today. Flooding and changing industry eventually led to the decline of the community, but the site remains an important example of how Georgia rivers were historically used for transportation, energy, and local economies. The river itself supports a wide variety of plant and animal life due to the combination of moving water, forest habitat, and relatively undisturbed riparian areas along the trail. During our hike, we observed several Northern Watersnakes, along with evidence of healthy aquatic habitat that supports fish, amphibians, aquatic insects, turtles, and many bird species that depend on river systems like this throughout Georgia. #thisismyga #exploregeorgia #gastateparks @gastateparks

In April, Georgia Conservancy's Generation Green hosted a service project at Sweetwater Creek State Park. The main goal of the project was to install protective fencing along the Park's popular red trail. The fencing will help deter off-trail use, allowing native vegetation to return to previously impacted areas. It was an excellent day across the board. Great energy, strong teamwork, and meaningful impact. We are really grateful for the time, effort, and enthusiasm that participants brought to the event. These small interventions go a long way, and we're happy to share that the fences are already holding strong and doing exactly what they’re meant to do. This project gave us a chance to connect with more than just the work itself. Sweetwater Creek State Park has a long history of conservation and public use, and Georgia Conservancy has supported efforts like this over the years, bringing people together to care for these shared landscapes. Service days like this are part of a broader tradition of stewardship that helps keep places like Sweetwater accessible, healthy, and resilient. One of the highlights from the day was finding a ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) during our post-service hike. These small, secretive snakes are completely non-venomous and are most often found under logs, rocks, or leaf litter. Their bright yellow ring around the neck and underside is a warning coloration, even though they rely more on hiding than defense. They play an important role in the ecosystem by feeding on small invertebrates like insects and worms, helping keep those populations in balance. Encounters like that are a great reminder of just how much life exists just beneath our feet in these forest systems. Altogether, this was a great example of what stewardship looks like in action. A group of people coming together, doing real work, and leaving the landscape better than we found it. A big thank you to our special guest volunteer from Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) for joining us in the field.

On March 14, the Georgia Conservancy and partners led an oyster shell bagging service day to help in the building of a living shoreline at Martha Randolph Stevens Park in Midway, GA. During this service event, more than 35 volunteers filled biodegradable mesh bags with recycled oyster shells (thanks @shell_to_shore !) – these bags will then be used to construct a living shoreline. Living shorelines are an erosion control technique that use bio-inspired materials to break down wave energy. Using recycled oyster shell in these living shorelines provides habitat for oyster growth while also preventing erosion. This nature-based technique is being used to protect the newly built community center at Martha Randolph Stevens Park, restoring safe access to the park and allowing local community members to continue enjoying this beautiful property. #georgia #oysters #georgiacoast #thisismyga

Always a sweet feeling being back at Sweetwater Creek State Park. The Georgia Conservancy's young professionals board, Generation Green, hosted its first outing of the year last weekend at this incredible Douglas County state park. Thanks Ranger Fox for the welcome! Sweetwater Creek is the location of the Georgia Conservancy's founding in February 1967. We love a good homecoming!

The Georgia Conservancy’s Generation Green and Sweetwater Creek State Park welcome you to join us on January 17 for a Day Hike through this incredible Georgia State Park. Register today About Generation Green: Generation Green (or “Gen Green”) is the young professionals group of the Georgia Conservancy—built for those who care deeply about the land, water, and communities that make Georgia home. We’re a diverse and growing network of changemakers, adventurers, and advocates, ages 25 to 45, who believe conservation is more than a cause—it’s a way of living with intention and impact. Hike with us along the riverside as we explore the diverse hiking trails, incredible river shoals, unique flora, and historic mill ruins. The hike will be approximately 4-5 miles. After the hike, you are welcome to join Generation Green and other hikers at an in-town Atlanta brewery for a post-hike happy hour. Location TBD. Please bring water, snacks, appropriate hiking shoes (close-toed), weather-appropriate clothes, and a sense of adventure. Located just 15 miles west of Downtown Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park is a beautiful 2,500-acre park within the Chattahoochee River watershed that features a recreational lake, cascading streams, river shoals, and the historical ruins of the New Manchester Mill, which was burned during the Civil War. Sweetwater Creek was also the birthplace of the Georgia Conservancy in 1967 and was one of the first places our nascent organization helped to protect.

Another wonderful service weekend on Ossabaw Island! During the weekend of November 19-21, the Georgia Conservancy hosted its annual Ossabaw Island Service Weekend, bringing down returning and first-time visitors to the State Heritage Preserve. Participants worked on several products with the Ossabaw Island Foundation and even found time to explore the nearly 26,000-acre barrier island. @ossabawisland

Last weekend, the Georgia Conservancy went Over The Edge! On Friday evening and Saturday morning, Georgia Conservancy supporters and friends harnessed in on the roof of the Intercontinental Hotel Buckhead, 24 stories up, and rappelled Over The Edge. Many were lifelong adventure seekers conquering a new challenge, while others were tackling their fears head on! Hopefully the beautiful views and fall colors helped to ease some of the nerves. Thank you to all who joined us, raised funds for our mission, and came out to support. Special thanks to @overtheedgeglobal, @intercon_buckhead_atl, @themorningx @theoriginal99x, @_georgia_hikes_ , and Mandy Cline!

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