Our Stories

For our next story, we are so pleased to bring this beautiful piece by Martha Myers, a landowner, member, talented photographer, and...

Last Saturday we had a great birding hike with Josiah Lavender of Wild Birds Unlimited at an ORLT easement in Jackson County. We are so...

George and Beth Thornton own property in Elbert County that is protected with a conservation easement held by ORLT. The Thorntons are...

Dan, on left, leads a group during a member hike at Tallassee Forest Nature Preserve. Dan Crescenzo, ORLT’s Stewardship Director, started...

Kathy Parker on her land in southeastern Clarke County near a creek in a colony of May apples. Dr. Kathy Parker serves as the Vice-Chair...

You probably know Dr. Ken Cordell from his involvement in environmental advocacy around the community. We are thankful to have him as a...

Steffney Thompson, ORLT’s long time Executive Director, is stepping away from her position next month to become the director of the...

Follow along as ORLT celebrates its 30th Anniversary by presenting stories that celebrate people and land. This week, we bring you the...

Just in time for holiday gift-giving or your vacation adventures, ORLT has short- and long-sleeve shirts available in navy blue and kelly...

We are so grateful to our Oconee River Land Trust members for their support. Members directly help us protect and steward 200 miles of...

Photo by Roger Nielsen Thanks to everyone who came out for our monitoring hike at Tallassee Forest Nature Preserve on Saturday! We had a...

By Dr. JT Pynne, Wildlife Biologist. Photo by JT Pynne Forest Fire Introduction When most people think of fire on the landscape, they...

When it comes to climate change and environmental loss, it can be difficult not to get so bogged down and frazzled that we don't know...

photos by Davis Gabriel What a great member hike and happy hour on the North Oconee River on Sunday March 13. We enjoyed a warm spring...

Community. Conversation. Philanthropy. is a philanthropy discussion series for donor-advised fundholders of the Athens Area Community...

by Kathy Parker Northern Bobwhite, Photo by Richard Hall “Bob-WHITE! Bob-WHITE!” That’s the cheerful greeting George and Beth Thornton...

by Dan Crescenzo While visiting one of Oconee River Land Trust’s conservation easements in Newton County this year, I was struck by the...

by Laura Hall Fish weirs were built by the Cherokee people by piling rocks and boulders across the river in a distinctive V shape. They...

by Laura Hall Friends came together to preserve this land along the Middle Oconee River. The sandy river bluffs are full of native...

by Larry Dendy Larry and Kay Hess stand on a sloping hillside gazing quietly at the surrounding early-April landscape. Tiny green leaves...