Winter 2003 - 2004 Newsletter
“Float the Flint “& Cookout! Sat. Sept 18
What a fantastic way to spend a beautiful fall day — floating the Flint River with fellow nature lovers! Join folks from Fayette and downriver communities at the first-ever “Float the Flint” & Cookout on Saturday Sept 18th. hosted by the Upper
Flint River Watershed Alliance and Rotary Clubs of Peachtree City, Upson & Meriwether Counties.
Float the Flint will introduce civic leaders and concerned citizens to the importance of the Upper Flint’s health and protection. Many folks don’t know that the Georgia Natural Areas Council named the Flint River "Georgia's Number One Scenic River” in the 1970s.
On Sept. 18th you will canoe from scenic Sprewell Bluff State Park to the Flint River Outdoor Center, then enjoy a cookout with featured speakers.
Southern Conservation Trust is a charter member of the Flint Alliance whose mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the unique resources of this watershed, which includes all or part of these counties: Clayton, Coweta, Crawford Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Lamar, Macon, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Talbot, Taylor and Upson.
Float Sponsors include: Integrated Science & Engineering of Fayetteville and the Georgia office of the Nature Conservancy.
Your Float registration of $25 includes canoe, shuttle, safety equipment and food & drink. We’re offering a special: join the Trust before Sept. 10th and your Float cost will be only $15! This is a fun way to see our hidden river and support conservation in our community.
For information on the Outdoor Center visit www.flintriverfun.com online. For Float info or to register call the Trust at 770-486-7774 before Sept. 10th.
See ya on the River!
A Message From the Executive Director:
As I begin my 2nd year with Southern Conservation Trust, we continue to lay a solid foundation for the Trust’s growth and effectiveness as your community land trust.
The Trust is proud to be one of 1300 member organizations of the
Land Trust Alliance, many of which are protecting land in nationally-known scenic and wilderness areas such as Marin County and Napa Valley, the Great Lakes, New England farm communities, the Rockies . . .
Our focus area — the Southern Crescent —may not be as well known nationally, yet our communities all share the same values and appreciate the same benefits of greenspace preservation: quality of life, home for wildlife, protection of water quality and enhancing economic development. And certainly we all experience the same peace and enjoyment from being in or near nature.
In August the Governor’s Advisory Council of the Georgia Land Conservation Partnership gave Governor Purdue its recommendations for protecting the state’s scenic and natural resources. They emphasized the valuable role land trusts can play in working with private landowners and local governments. and advised that tax credits could encourage conservation. The Council also suggested the state create a dedicated source for greenspace funding, such as a portion of sales tax or real estate fees.
Now it’s up to the Governor and the state legislature to make it happen.
Georgia is the largest state in the Southeast but lags far behind in preserved greenspace, even as rapid growth threatens our forests and farmland. With the voter’s encouragement and support, hopefully our state government will step up and help protect one of the reasons we all love this region. And Southern Conservation Trust will be here, working with planners, developers, and citizens to preserve the special natural areas so much a part of the Southern Crescent.
Working together, we can make a difference in the future of
our communities!
Sams Lake Wetland Restoration Almost Complete Construction to restore a wetland habitat may be coming to an end at Sams Lake on Senoia Road south of Fayetteville.
The ponds are slowly filling and crews will soon plant wetland vegetation. The contractor will install a mulch trail and three observation decks. Ken Martin of the City of Atlanta’s Dept. of Aviation predicts the equipment will be removed by November.
The Trust has applied for funding and is designing interpretative signage to explain the project and the site’s value as a home for wildlife. We are seeking local sponsors to cover the costs of benches & visitor amenities.
We’re looking for volunteers to maintain trails and assist us in
monitoring the arrival of birds and other wildlife.
Stay tuned for the official opening of the Sams Lake Nature Preserve in early 2005!
The Trust Member Reception: join us Sunday October 17th at the Line Creek Pond
The Trust is proud to have doubled our membership in the past year. We are honored to have a core group of dedicated volunteers who, month after month, help us promote our nature programs, assist in the office and maintain our Nature Areas.
We will show our appreciation at a Special Member Reception on Sunday afternoon, October 17th, from 4—6 pm at the Line Creek Nature Area.
Please join us for wine and appetizers, in the picnic area next to the pond, with live music enhancing the natural beauty. Not a member yet? That’s easy to fix—please fill out and mail the enclosed envelope, and let us know by October 12th if you’d like to attend.
We value your support and look forward to seeing you on the
17th.
The Trust Board Members: Thank You and Welcome
As Jim Steinbach and Gene Fritz leave the Board we thank them for years of service knowing how hard they’ve worked on behalf of Southern Conservation Trust.
The Trust Board members are unpaid volunteers motivated by their dedication to our mission and their commitment to the future of our community.
Both Gene and Jim give unselfishly to many local organizations and we’re lucky to have had their time and guidance . As our long –term Treasurer, Gene devoted hours each month in a critical role.
As the Trust transitions we are pleased to welcome new Board members John Anderson and Robert Dawson.
John has 35 years of professional fundraising experience and
will be a great resource as the Trust grows. Robert has been a dedicated volunteer and offers the Board his knowledge and enthusiam for nature.
We continue to talk with Board candidates and welcome your
interest. If you have the time and the passion we will make a place for you as a the Trust volunteer or Board member.
Thursday Sept. 16 7 pm
Tree ID - Learn how to identify trees from twigs, cones, flowers & leaves with tree expert Jimmy Mock
Saturday Sept. 18 1 pm
Float the Flint & Cookout $25 inclusive, or just $15 with new the Trust membership. Call 770-486-7774 by Sept. 10
Saturday October 2nd 1 pm
Do you like treasure hunts and being outdoors?
Then you’ll enjoy “Geocaching” an exciting and educational activity for parents to share with children! Hear Greg Lampton of GA Geocachers Assoc. Find out about geocaching at www.ggaonline.org Meet at Line Creek Nature Area pond
Saturday October 9 1 pm
Join us for a Volunteer Work Party at the Line Creek Nature Area spreading mulch on trails & fixing up the picnic area.
Sunday October 17 4 pm
The Trust Member Reception at Line Creek Nature Area: wine & appetizers at the pond Join the Trust today!
Thursday November 4th 7 pm
The Science of Weather with Barry Gooden of the Nat’l Weather Service in Peachtree City at the Flat Creek Nature Center.
Directions:
