The Georgia Conservancy

05/29/2026

We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sweetwater Creek State Park all weekend! Come out to the Park to enjoy a hike or take part in a number of events.

In 1967, nine years before Sweetwater Creek was dedicated as a State Park, a group of citizens came together at the mill ruins and founded The Georgia Conservancy. Our young organization then led the efforts to protect Sweetwater Creek as an incredible public resource.

05/29/2026

This summer, get outside with the Georgia Conservancy!

We've recently opened registration for a number of our summertime trips and events!

Learn more and register today:

Experience outdoor adventures in Georgia with conservation trips, eco-tours, and volunteer events to protect the state’s natural beauty.

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

🌿 Spring Merch Drop is Here!
Warmer days are calling — time to gear up for your next adventure across Georgia!

Our Spring Collection just dropped, featuring fresh tees, trucker hats, recycled aluminum water bottles, artisan mugs, canvas totes, and more. Whether you’re hiking the mountains, paddling our rivers, or exploring the coast, these pieces are made for the outdoors.

And the best part? Every purchase directly supports Georgia Conservancy’s work to protect the land, water, and wild places we all love.

🛍️ Shop the new collection + enjoy special Spring Sale pricing now!

https://shop.georgiaconservancy.org/

Every acre matters — and so does every piece you wear.

05/13/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's State of the Science Webinar.

This May 2026 webinar, hosted by the Georgia Conservancy and moderated by Courtney Reich and Dr. Sarah Roney, focused on the conservation status of the North Atlantic right whale (NARW), emerging detection technologies, vessel strike prevention, AIS communication systems, boater outreach, and the public comment process surrounding changes in the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to the 2008 NOAA Vessel Speed Rule.

North Atlantic right whales, Georgia’s state marine mammal, are critically endangered with an estimated population of approximately 380 whales remaining. Vessel strikes continue to be a leading cause of serious injury and mortality in whales, especially in the Southeast region, where pregnant whales come to calve their young.

This May 8 webinar, hosted by the Georgia Conservancy and moderated by Courtney Reich and Dr. Sarah Roney, focused on the conservation status of the North Atlantic right whale (NARW), emerging detection technologies, vessel strike prevention, AIS communication systems, boater outreach, and the publi...

05/06/2026

Innovator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, conservationist, Atlantan...just a few adjectives to describe a man who was truly undefinable. The Georgia Conservancy mourns the passing of Georgia legend, Ted Turner - a continent-spanning conservationist and outspoken environmentalist who changed not only how we watch television and consume the news, but also how we view the world.

In 1995, the Georgia Conservancy honored Ted Turner as our Distinguished Conservationist at Fernbank Museum, just days after the Atlanta Braves won the World Series.

In front of a crowd of more than 700, Ted accepted the award and, pointing to the relic of the extinct dinosaur that filled the atrium, remarked, "Human beings don't realize how powerful we've become. What's happening to the environment is nothing more than what's happening to us... At the bottom of it all, we are trying to save ourselves. And we are just as endangered as the elephants or virtually any species that is approaching extinction." A sobering wake-up call from a man who dedicated his life to making the world a better place.

Our thoughts are with the Turner Family and Ted's countless friends. He will be truly missed, though his incredible impact will remain.

Ted Turner, the media maverick and philanthropist who founded CNN, a pioneering 24-hour network that revolutionized television news, died peacefully Wednesday, surrounded by his family, according to a news release from Turner Enterprises. He was 87.

05/05/2026

Thank you to Georgia Public Broadcasting for joining us at our April service project at Sweetwater Creek State Park!

In anticipation of Earth Day 2026, GPB teamed up with Georgia Conservancy to help further protect our state parks. Come see how it was done!

04/28/2026

The North Atlantic right whale is Georgia’s state marine mammal, but it is facing serious threats from human activities. Vessel strikes are the second leading cause of death for these whales, which come to Georgia waters to birth their calves in the winter months. Recently, NOAA proposed deregulating maritime vessel speed limits, which are currently set at 10 knots for vessels larger than 65' throughout seasonal right whale calving grounds.

On May 8 at noon, join Georgia Conservancy, along with experts and scientists in this field, for a webinar to learn about the state of right whale conservation, proposed regulatory changes, and the technology being used to help save these animals.

In this 90-minute webinar, you'll be able to ask your questions directly to a panel of right whale experts across the East Coast to learn about their cutting-edge work to protect right whales. We will also share information and resources for those interested in making public comments on the proposed NOAA Vessel Speed rule amendments.

Learn more and register today:

Please join the Georgia Conservancy for a virtual webinar on May 8 from 12:00 - 1:30 PM to learn about the state of right whale conservation, proposed regulatory changes, and the technology being used to help save these animals.

04/27/2026

Salt marshes protect our coastlines, reduce flooding, and support wildlife, seafood, and local economies. A new set of state action plans for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida lay out strategies to conserve and restore these critical habitats— This is a major step toward safeguarding 1 million acres of Southeast salt marshes for the future.

Learn more: https://georgiaconservancy.org/south-atlantic-states-release-roadmaps-for-salt-marsh-conservation/

Georgia’s plan, led by the Georgia Conservancy, calls for financial incentives for private landowners to choose living shorelines and other nature-based solutions over hard structures such as bulkheads, enabling marshes to migrate naturally as sea levels rise. The plan also calls for helping owners of working lands, such as farms, conserve their property if it’s affected by saltwater intrusion; oyster shell recycling for use in living shorelines; use of sediment to sustain, create, or enhance marshes; and working with transportation agencies to identify and prioritize removal of barriers, such as culverts, that interfere with marshes.

A regional partnership spanning North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida released targeted plans for each state this month to conserve coastal salt marshes—grassy wetlands that fill with saltwater and drain as the tides ebb and flow. These habitats protect communities and more than a d...