Georgia Conservancy

A reminder that our SASMI Community Workshops have been canceled for this week. With respect for the individuals, families, and communities impacted by this weekend’s tragedy on Sapelo Island, Georgia Conservancy and the South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) will be cancelling the community workshops planned for October 22 (Midway) and October 24 (Darien). Please be alert for news of rescheduled events in the near future. Learn more about SASMI and for updates on rescheduled workshop dates: https://lnkd.in/enQcUdMW

Check out Georgia Conservancy's news for October in this month's edition of ePanorama: https://lnkd.in/gFtuBb2k

An update from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: "The Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a proposal that would expand the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, adding approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the existing refuge. The Service is seeking public input on the proposal. If adopted, the proposed minor boundary expansion would enable the Service to work with willing landowners to explore voluntary conservation actions, including potential acquisition, that would further protect the refuge’s globally significant freshwater wetland system and wildlife habitat. The proposed expansion includes lands currently held by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC as well as a one-mile fuel reduction zone adjacent to the refuge." A public comment period is now open until November 18 with a public meeting in Folkston on October 29. Be on the lookout for upcoming information from the Georgia Conservancy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gC_Ab5qh

Are you a landowner in Georgia? Need support in sustainably managing your acres? You're in luck! The Georgia Conservancy, along with the Georgia Sentinel Landscape, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and conservation partners are excited to announce the open application period for cost-share assistance to qualified landowners for prescribed fire and land management. Private landowners can apply for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service Center. Private landowners interested in applying must have parcels that are forested and reside within the Georgia Sentinel Landscape to qualify for the cost-share reimbursement. (See more info below). The Georgia Sentinel Landscape is comprised of 60 counties across southern Georgia and encompasses working and military lands integral to Georgia’s economy. Proper land management along with restoring prescribed fire back to the landscape will reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfires while adding ecological benefits to our longleaf pine forests and wildlife. For more info, please contact Jason Alstad, Georgia Conservancy Land Stewardship Coordinator, at 912-447-5910 or jalstad@georgiaconservancy.org

In September 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) made public a proposal to exchange public lands on Cumberland Island National Seashore so that it may acquire four tracts of privately-owned land on the island. Currently, NPS is seeking public input into the planning process for this proposal and will provide additional opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed land exchange. While the Georgia Conservancy is supportive of NPS efforts to acquire lands on Cumberland Island for public access and ecological protection, we do have several questions regarding the proposed land exchanges. Learn more about the proposal along with our comments and concerns: https://lnkd.in/e_J49d_2

Please join the Georgia Conservancy for an Interactive Workshop to discuss the long-term resiliency and protection of our coastal salt marsh. The October 22 date will be hosted at the Dorchester Improvement Association, 8787 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA 31320 from 4:30 PM to 6 PM Learn more and register at: https://lnkd.in/eBKKt_VF These workshops will be hosted at six locations throughout coastal Georgia and will feature speakers, mapping resources, videos, and interactive stations designed to foster a community conversation regarding threats to our coastal marshlands and opportunities for restoration and conservation of marshland now and in the future. These workshops aim to engage community members, academic institutions, agencies, and everyone who cares for our coastal marshlands in an open discussion that will form the basis of the Georgia SASMI (South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative) Implementation Workplan. The following are the workshop dates and locations: - Tuesday, September 10 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at UGA Marine Extension, Brunswick Station, 715 Bay Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 - Thursday, September 12 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at Camden County PSA, 1050 Wildcat Dr, Kingsland, GA 31548 - Tuesday, September 24 (4 PM - 6:00 PM) at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens and Historic Bamboo Farm, 2 Canebrake Rd, Savannah, GA 31419 (RESCEDULED DATE IS A JOINT CHATHAM & BRYAN COUNTY WORKSHOP) - Tuesday, October 22 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at the Dorchester Improvement Association, 8787 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA 31320 - Thursday, October 24 (3 PM - 6:00 PM) at McIntosh SEED, 1135 North Way # C, Darien, GA 31305 Questions? Please reach out to Georgia Conservancy Coastal Director Courtney Reich at creich@georgiaconservancy.org 

In celebration of National Public Lands Day and Your State Parks Day, the Georgia Conservancy is hosting a service project on September 28 at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County. Learn more and register for free: https://lnkd.in/e49gV_AC 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 is the also birthplace of the Georgia Conservancy in 1967 and was one of the first places our nascent organization helped to protect. The service project will focus on rebuilding the kayak stand located at the lake, establishing a sensory nature trail near the Park’s bait shop, and removing invasive plant species from various locations.

History meets innovation for the black sea bass fishery! For the last two years, the Georgia Conservancy and partners UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and Sustainable Seas Technology, Inc have been looking at ways to bring new ropeless fishing gear technologies to Georgia's black seas bass fishery. To further support the changing fishery, we teamed up with graduate students from Savannah College of Art and Design to develop creative solutions to bring sustainably-caught black sea bass harvest to market. The effort is two-fold: reduce often deadly interactions between North Atlantic right whales and roped fishing gear and uplift one of Georgia's most historic fisheries. Learn more about these efforts at: https://lnkd.in/gHBFrxkp

Less than a month away! Don't miss out on the event of the season at the Georgia Conservancy's annual Precious Places celebration! Hosted at Steady Hand Beer Co. in Atlanta, Precious Places will feature a day of live music, outdoor gear expos, fireside chats, panel discussions and, of course, tasty brews from Steady Hand! Come hang with us on September 21! Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just looking to dip your toes in the creek - Precious Places has something for everyone. We hope you can join us in celebration and leave inspired to explore Georgia's great natural wonders - from sunrise to firelight! Tickets start at just $35 and children 12 and under can join for free! https://lnkd.in/gY-qPksM

Please join the Georgia Conservancy for an Interactive Workshop on September 10 in Brunswick to discuss the long-term resiliency and protection of our coastal salt marsh. Learn more and register at: https://lnkd.in/eBKKt_VF These workshops will be hosted at six locations throughout coastal Georgia and will feature speakers, mapping resources, videos, and interactive stations designed to foster a community conversation regarding threats to our coastal marshlands and opportunities for restoration and conservation of marshland now and in the future. These workshops aim to engage community members, academic institutions, agencies, and everyone who cares for our coastal marshlands in an open discussion that will form the basis of the Georgia SASMI (South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative) Implementation Workplan. The following are the workshop dates and locations: - Tuesday, August 13 (4 PM - 6:00 PM) at Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens and Historic Bamboo Farm, 2 Canebrake Rd, Savannah, GA 31419 (CANCELED, NEW DATE TBD) - Thursday, August 15 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at the Richmond Hill Wetlands Center, 500 Cedar St, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (CANCELED, NEW DATE TBD) - Tuesday, September 10 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at UGA Marine Extension, Brunswick Station, 715 Bay Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 - Thursday, September 12 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at Camden County PSA, 1050 Wildcat Dr, Kingsland, GA 31548 - Tuesday, October 22 (4 PM - 6:30 PM) at the Dorchester Improvement Association, 8787 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA 31320 - Thursday, October 24 (3 PM - 6:00 PM) at McIntosh SEED, 1135 North Way # C, Darien, GA 31305 Questions? Please reach out to Georgia Conservancy Coastal Director Courtney Reich at creich@georgiaconservancy.org