Our Stories

In late 2024, as part of our Riverview Foundation assisted Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor (MOCC) initiative to protect land between Atlanta Highway and Old Macon Highway, ORLT commissioned local photographer extraordinaire Jason Thrasher (author of Murmur Trestle ) to capture the river and its habitat in all its glory over a full year.  Over the course of 2025, through the four seasons, Jason has photographed that vital stretch of Athens' "secret river" and captured its

We are SO grateful for your gifts to ORLT during our month-long matching campaign. With your donations, we raised over $50,000 to support ORLT's mission to conserve forests, farms, and waterways across Georgia. Your generosity ensures ORLT is able to protect these special places for future generations. We can't wait to get started on protecting more land in 2026!

Photo by Jason Thrasher All gifts will still be doubled by a longtime generous ORLT champion UNTIL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT! This matching opportunity supports both ORLT’s Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor initiative and our statewide efforts to permanently protect Georgia’s farms, forests, and streams . You decide where your contribution is directed and where it will be doubled. MAKE A GIFT TO THE MIDDLE OCONEE CONSERVATION CORRIDOR MAKE A GIFT TO ORLT'S STATEWIDE CONSERVATION E

Photo by Jason Thrasher As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on ORLT’s accomplishments and opportunities from the past year. Here are a few of the highlights that you have helped make possible with your donations: • We monitored close to 45,000 acres of land held in conservation easements across Georgia • We completed eight new easements, protecting 400 additional acres. • We launched our Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor initiative to protect land along the Middle Oconee

Starting TODAY, December 2nd through January 2nd, your gifts will be DOUBLED by a long-time supporter of ORLT who wishes to remain anonymous. This matching offer applies to gifts made to ORLT's Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor initiative and ORLT's statewide work to protect Georgia's farms, forests, and streams forever. It's your choice where you would like to see your gift directed and doubled! Click here to help ORLT protect land along the Middle Oconee River in Athe

Starting this Giving Tuesday, 12/2, a generous donor has offered to match gifts to ORLT through January 2, 2026. This applies to gifts made to our Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor (MOCC) initiative and our efforts statewide to protect Georgia's farms, forests, and streams forever. Stay tuned for ways to give and have your donations doubled starting next week. Every gift counts, no matter how small. And we are thankful for all of them.

Show your love for the land, rivers, and conservation with our brand new ORLT short-sleeve and long-sleeve t-shirts. Every purchase helps protect the natural places you love. Grab one today for you, a loved one, or a friend HERE !

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual ORLT Hike & Happy Hour on Sunday! Around 50 people came out for the event at Piedmont Preserve , a beautiful property located close to downtown Athens that is permanently protected with a conservation easement. Photos by Laura Hall, Theresa Pippin, and Hadrien Turner Thank you to Normaltown Brewing Co for donating a keg, Five Points Bottle Shop for loaning us some taps, and ORLT board members who supported the event with th

by Christine Rodick Photo by Todd Pierson Oh enchanting Spadefoot, You amaze me. Your smooth skin did throw me off.I thought you were a true frog when first we met, But now I know you are a... toad? No, the experts call you “Toad-like”. Your very own distinction. I learned early on, best to observe you without handling, as your ‘lovely’ musk can cause irritation to my eyes and nose!! Speaking of eyes. Yours are gorgeous. Your dazzling golden irises mesmerize me. I wonder: Doe

Photo by Jason Thrasher Join ORLT at Ciné's The Lab NEXT THURSDAY 9/25 for an evening in support of the Middle Oconee Conservation...

Photo by Hadrien Turner Thank you to everyone for attending Butterflies & Brunch! We truly enjoyed seeing new and old friends of ORLT...

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Butterfly Hike at Tallassee Forest in Athens! We were treated to slightly cooler temperatures...

Photo by Laura Hall Thanks to everyone who attended Paddle to Protect last Saturday in support of our Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor...

Lexington Lake, 51.5 acres protected along the Middle Oconee River in Athens by Athens Land Trust “In the late fall of 2011, I was...

Join us June 7th to paddle the Middle Oconee River in Athens and discover this beautiful corridor in our community! Local paddle guide...

Drone photo by Lauren Gingerella We are thankful to Dan and Sally Coenen for helping spearhead the Middle Oconee Conservation Corridor...

Photo by Jason Thrasher ORLT has partnered with local photographer Jason Thrasher to capture the Middle Oconee River throughout the year...

Photo by Jason Thrasher The Middle Oconee River in Athens is often overlooked - we drive over it on our way to Trader Joe’s or catch a...

This Earth Day we bring you scenes from a recent visit to a conservation easement in Forsyth County. On this 55th Earth Day, we are...

Photo by Chris Lukhaup ' The Oconee burrowing crayfish ( Cambarus truncatus ) is a species of freshwater crayfish native to the Oconee...