Our Stories

by Graham Williams, rising high school senior and Volunteer-in-Chief at Shoal Creek Sanctuary photo by David Tilson, President of the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) is a perennial wildflower native throughout Georgia, and its presence usually indicates undisturbed, high quality native ecosystems since it takes years to establish and mature before flowering. It has a single thick taproot that can plunge multiple feet underground that

Luna Moth (Actias luna) International Moth Week is a reminder that some of our most important pollinators only come out after dark! While butterflies often get the spotlight, moths play a vital role in pollinating native plants, providing food for birds and bats, and supporting healthy ecosystems throughout Georgia. More than 11,000 species of moths are found in North America, each contributing to the intricate web of life that healthy forests, meadows, farms, and wetlands de

"I’ve lived most of my life in the Oconee River Watershed in Athens. Early on, most residents treated the Middle and North Oconee as an afterthought—just a place for waste and trash. That has changed dramatically, thanks to visionary environmental and political leaders who, over the past 50-plus years, have recognized the immense value of these treasures and worked tirelessly to change the public perception and take direct action to improve water quality and habitat. This mov

by Erin Gorman, ORLT Stewardship Director Two tall, steep hillsides slope down towards one another, meeting at the banks of a clear stream. They are studded with huge, sentinel-like boulders, looming over the earth that falls away beneath them. Moss covered and stoic, their ancient presence deepens the forest’s silence. The awe they demand is natural, not due to consequence or title, but because I am a baby beside them and they, it seems in my smallness, are guardians. They a

We're grateful to celebrate the permanent protection of approximately 275 acres in the Broad River watershed through two new Madison County conservation easements with Louisa and Michael Barnsley. Their property includes an extraordinary diversity of habitats: from mesic hardwood forest and bottomland hardwood forest to native grass meadow, canebrake, freshwater marsh, and streams, including frontage along the Broad River itself. Together, these landscapes provide clean water

As we mark Independence Day and America's 250th year, we're reminded that while 250 years is a remarkable milestone, the work of conservation is measured in perpetuity. Every conservation easement and protected property represents a commitment to care for Georgia's land and waterways forever. Through voluntary partnerships with landowners, we're helping ensure that forests, farms, wetlands, and rivers continue to provide clean water, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty for g

Thank you for being a member of Oconee River Land Trust. Your support helps protect forests, farms, wetlands, rivers, and other important lands across Georgia while ensuring conserved properties are cared for generations to come. As development pressures grow, your membership provides the foundation for our work: conserving critical landscapes, stewarding more than 45,000 acres of protected land, and connecting people with the natural places that enrich our communities. If yo

by Lauren Gingerella, Certified Wildlife Biologist of Chickadee Conservation Consulting Tricolored bat captured during summer netting survey (photo via GADNR on Georgia Biodiversity Portal). One of the bat species documented on ORLT’s Coenen conservation easement is the tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). Formally known as the eastern pipistrelle, tricolored bats range throughout eastern North America. Tricolored bats are the smallest species of bat found in Georgia, and t

by Lauren Gingerella, Certified Wildlife Biologist of Chickadee Conservation Consulting Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata). Photo by Lauren Gingerlla. A little rain couldn’t stop field work. Alright, it was downpouring, but I would rather work in May showers than in the heat. I was conducting a baseline documentation survey for a new ORLT conservation easement along the Middle Oconee River, located right in the heart of Athens. The property protects nearly 2,000 feet of th

Last year, ORLT worked with several landowners to conserve land across Georgia. This includes wetlands, waterways, forests, and mountains that are home to numerous noteworthy species. In many places, property was conserved where development threats are high. These snapshots represent some of these conservation accomplishments. We are so grateful to the landowners who have protected their land with a conservation easement.

by Theresa Pippin The Middle Oconee River flows through Athens, creating a corridor for wildlife along its banks. Photo by Jason Thrasher. ORLT’s Middle Oconee River Conservation Corridor (MOCC) initiative is moving into a new and exciting phase. Since the start of the year, several landowners have begun the process of protecting their land with a conservation easement. Together, their easements would protect 20 acres in the Corridor. Dan Coenen, who, with his wife Sally, a

As we begin planning our fall hike schedule, we'd love to hear from you! What topics would you like to explore on a future hike? Are you interested in learning about edible plants and mushrooms, joining another frog walk, or diving into a different aspect of the natural world? We also welcome your feedback on our hike program. What do you enjoy most, and what could we do better? To share your ideas, please email theresa@oconeeriverlandtrust.org. Your input helps us create me

For the final spring hike of 2026, ORLT members and friends gathered this past Saturday for a hike and picnic at the recently protected property of Patricia and Kenny Copes. Hikers walked along a tributary of Clouds Creek, a meandering, clear-flowing stream with ferns and rivercane on its banks. Patricia explained she was motivated to protect her beautiful land when 100s of acres on a neighboring property were recently clearcut. We are grateful for landowners like Patricia an

"As has largely been the theme for my monitor visits this year, the weather truly couldn’t have been better visiting five ORLT conservation easements last week in Meriwether, Coweta and Spalding counties. Between meeting a new landowner, hiking a very sweaty 7 miles on a sprawling 700-acre property, and falling into a stream on two separate occasions, I observed many beautiful sights and species on these permanently stewarded lands. Summer is on the way!" -Hadrien Turner, ORL

by H. Ken Cordell, PhD, Senior Scientist Retired, USDA Forest Service Research Ken Cordell and Babs McDonald, wanting to ensure their land remains protected, have decided ORLT will be the beneficiary of some of their forested land. Undeveloped land and water resources contribute greatly to sustaining local economies and the environment. Citizens must actively participate in protecting undeveloped land by taking on activities that contribute to land stewardship goals. These go

By Dr. JT Pynne, Assistant Professor of Ecology at Emory University Fernleaf Phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida), Photo by Dr. JT Pynne Oh, Phacelia. For generations, spring travelers across the Southern Appalachians have admired the soft blue carpets of Phacelia bipinnatifida, aka fernleaf Phacelia or purple Phacelia. This familiar wildflower delights hikers, especially because of its presence in shady coves. Interestingly, recent research has revealed that these beloved bloo

Thanks to WUGA FM's Emma Auer for attending and covering our Frog Walk last month led by Wildlife Resources Division - Georgia DNR's Erin Cork at our CE in Jackson County that we cohosted with Jefferson City Schools . The community turnout was fantastic, kids and adults had an evening to remember, and we heard/saw a lot of frogs! In addition to all the fun, the event served as a powerful reminder of how vital it is to protect wetland habitats in our rapidly developing region

In April, ORLT and Jefferson City Schools co-hosted an evening frog walk on a 100-acre wetland protected under a conservation easement in Jackson County. The community came out in force, with adults and children alike captivated by how loud and full of life a wetland becomes after sunset. One of the evening’s highlights was hearing the unmistakable “song” of the bird-voiced treefrog (Hyla avivoca), a small species considered vulnerable due to habitat loss, wetland alteration,

ORLT Staff Dan, Theresa, Hadrien, and Erin (not pictured) attended the Land Trust Alliance Southeastern Conference this week. Last week, ORLT's staff attended the Land Trust Alliance 's Southeastern Conference in Greenville, SC. This annual gathering for land trust professionals offers an opportunity to network, learn from one another, attend educational sessions on topics ranging from how to effectively engage conservation landowners to the latest innovations in land-based m

This past Saturday, we had a beautiful and breezy day for ORLT’s bird hike, held at Two Swallows Farm in Madison County. After gathering by the landowner’s farmhouse, we walked through carefully-managed fields and forests bursting with spring. Along the way, 34 species of birds were observed, including Louisiana Waterthrush and several Yellow-rumped Warblers. Special thanks to Lauren Gingerella, owner of Chickadee Conservation Consulting , who lent her keen ears and sharp ey