A Return to ORLT's Roots: Conserving the Middle Oconee River
- hadrien57
- May 5
- 2 min read
The Middle Oconee River in Athens is often overlooked - we drive over it on our way to Trader Joe’s or catch a glimpse as we make our way from 441 to the Eastside. We might be lucky to see a great blue heron as it soars from one bank to another or enjoy dipping our feet in by the shoals of Ben Burton Park on a hot summer’s day. While it often eludes us, the river is vital for providing animal habitat and a wildlife corridor, and its banks are host to countless native species and towering hardwood trees that provide a buffer from the high waters that often follow storms, minimizing flood risks.
The land between West Broad Street and Old Macon Highway is the largest unprotected forested area along the Middle Oconee in our community. At this time of considerable development within Clarke County, there is a critical need to conserve this land, highlighted in the map below.
ORLT is thrilled to formally announce that we received a grant from the Riverview Foundation to conserve land along the Middle Oconee River in Athens. This generous grant will enable ORLT to pursue a targeted approach to land conservation along the river that is our organization’s namesake. As you probably know, ORLT was founded in 1993 by a group of community members who wanted to protect the North and Middle Oconee Rivers in and around Athens. While the organization now conserves land throughout the whole state of Georgia, we are getting back to our roots by partnering with Athens residents to protect their vital properties along the Middle Oconee River. We will work with private landowners to conserve their land in order to:
Limit further development near the river
Protect habitat along the river for numerous native plant and animal species
Preserve wildlife travel corridors along the river
Improve water quality and lessen flood risks
Conserve natural land for future generations
The Middle Oconee River is a community treasure, and as we embark on the Middle Oconee River Conservation Corridor initiative, we are seeking support from our community members. Your support will help us provide the tools and resources needed to work with private landowners living along the river to protect their land for future generations. We thank you for your support!
How can I help?
Attend an event! ORLT is hosting several community events to support the project. Each will highlight the Middle Oconee River, its beauty, ecological significance, and the importance of conserving land along the corridor.
Make a tax-deductible donation and help us match our grant from The Riverview Foundation.
Become a member of ORLT or renew your membership!
Spread the word: tell your friends, neighbors, and community businesses about the project and ways to get involved.
