"I love to play detective in the woods. What’s different on a conserved property since my last visit? It sets my heart aflutter to use all my senses and cues around me to understand the change. Before I arrived at this photo point, I noticed the water course had shifted both upstream and downstream, making my walk a muddy one. Whodunit?"
Love for Land: A Valentine's Day Journey with the Southern Conservation Trust Conservation Team
Josie Saunders • February 14, 2024
As Valentine's Day approaches, we invite you to join us on a journey filled with love—for the land. Our dedicated Conservation Team at the Southern Conservation Trust has captured moments that embody their passion for conservation and the intricate beauty of the natural world. Each photo tells a unique story, and our team members share their heartfelt captions to express what they love most about the land they work so hard to protect.
Jesse Woodsmith
Director of Conservation & Stewardship
Brian McKnight
Senior Conservation Biologist
"I love it when history and ecology combine during a property survey and unexpectedly double the impact on land conservation. This early to late 17th to early 18th-century homestead was a delightful find when documenting conservation values on a future conservation easement in 2022. The homestead's surrounding habitat, an Oak-Hickory-Pine forest, is still standing, while the larger forest surrounding it was converted into a pine plantation. Without this historical site, the Oak-Hickory-Pine habitat, considered a High-Priority Habitat by the GA DNR, would most likely have been cut and replanted with pine. While the records of who lived here and the tales of their early American life may have vanished, traces of their existence remain. I love that both home and habitat are beautifully intertwined and now permanently protected!"
Hana Sellers
Conservation Stewardship Manager
"What plant is tiny, often overlooked, and resilient in harsh environments? Mosses! While the rest of the forest remains dormant this February, mosses are easy to spot and easier to love. They might look like bright green pincushions, feathers, or ferns. Next time you’re on a hike, look closely at the forest floor; you may find it is easy to fall in love with even the tiniest of organisms."
As we approach Valentine's Day, let these heartfelt reflections from our conservation team inspire a deeper appreciation for the land we hold dear. Just as love evolves and grows, so does our commitment to the environment. Through their lens, we witness the dedication, curiosity, and passion that drive the Southern Conservation Trust to protect and preserve our natural heritage. This Valentine's Day, join us in celebrating the #LoveForLand that unites us all. May our collective love for the Earth continue to flourish and inspire positive change. Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at the Southern Conservation Trust!
Press & Media Inquiries
For all press and media inquiries, please reach out to Tori Betsill, our Director of Development. Tori is here to assist you with any questions or information you may need about Southern Conservation Trust's initiatives, events, and conservation efforts. You can contact her directly at tori@sctlandtrust.org.
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About Southern Conservation Trust
At Southern Conservation Trust, we are passionate about elevating nature through exceptional stewardship. Based in Georgia, our 501(c)(3) public charity has successfully conserved over 65,000 acres of land across the Southeast, including five public nature areas in Fayette County and the Fayette Environmental Education Center. We believe that protecting our natural spaces is just the beginning; everyone should have equal access to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Join us in our mission to foster a deeper connection between people and nature. Learn more at www.sctlandtrust.org.
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FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA, April 22, 2026 – What began with the discovery of native Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids in 2023 has grown into a multi-year conservation effort, one that now serves as a powerful example of how thoughtful development and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. As plans move forward for the City Center Parkway in Fayetteville, a population of rare Pink Lady’s Slipper orchids was discovered growing within the pine understory of a 38.5-acre tract along Grady Avenue, largely hidden from public view. While not federally endangered, these native orchids are increasingly uncommon and highly sensitive to their environment. They are also protected under Georgia law and classified as a species of concern, meaning it is illegal to remove them without proper authorization, making their presence both special and vulnerable. Rather than allowing the plants to be lost as a result of development and construction, the Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) saw an opportunity. In May 2025, SCT approached City officials with a proposal to relocate the orchids to a nearby SCT-owned private preserve. With the City’s approval, SCT’s Director of Parks & Planning and members of its Conservation Team carried out the effort, ensuring the relocation was done responsibly and with the greatest chance of success. Over the following year, plans were refined, permits were secured, and timing was carefully aligned with the orchids’ natural growth cycle. With advisory input from members of the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, including experts from the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, SCT’s Conservation Team began the delicate process of transplanting the orchids in early spring 2026, carefully relocating more than 100 individual plants with intact root systems to a safeguarded habitat at a nearby SCT-owned private preserve, where another population of Pink Lady’s Slippers already exists and thrives naturally. The work required precision, patience, and teamwork, as transplanting these orchids is notoriously difficult, even under ideal circumstances, and should only be undertaken with proper expertise and authorization. Each plant was carefully cataloged, tracked, and replanted under conditions designed to mirror its original environment, with close attention to growth stage and long-term viability. Early signs are encouraging, with many of the transplants already showing resilience following the move.
