Our Stories

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

It’s Global Bear Awareness Day! Here in Georgia, the American black bear is an important part of our natural heritage. They play a vital role in maintaining healthy forests by dispersing seeds and shaping ecosystems, among many things. At Oconee River Land Trust, protecting land means protecting wildlife habitat for bears and so many other species that depend on connected, conserved landscapes to thrive. As development continues to fragment forests, conservation efforts becom

You may already be familiar with Hadrien as one of our senior land stewards. Over the last several months, he has also been helping ORLT to steward its donors and build new relationships in our community. We are pleased to welcome Hadrien as ORLT’s new Director of Engagement! While his boots will remain on the ground to monitor conservation easements and work with landowners to steward their properties, the majority of his focus will shift towards stewarding ORLT donors, me

by Dr. JT Pynne, Assistant Professor of Ecology at Emory University Photo by Dr. JT Pynne Hidden engineers perform amazing work beneath our very feet, without us even noticing all the time. From burrowing beetles to gopher tortoises, many of these species go quite literally overlooked. One outstanding (and adorable in their own way) creature stands out among the rest. A true underdog of the pines, southeastern pocket gophers are named for their external, fur-lined cheek pou

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS 4/3/26 The Oconee River Land Trust (ORLT) is seeking a creative and motivated summer intern. The internship offers the opportunity to design and produce a printed and online booklet highlighting ORLT’s conservation successes through compelling stories and beautiful photography. The final product will be used for outreach and marketing purposes. Much of the core content has already been developed, so the primary focus will be on layout and design. There wi

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...