Peachtree City Mayor Kim Learnard welcomed attendees and expressed her support for the continued efforts to promote responsible growth and conservation throughout Fayette and Coweta Counties. “Peachtree City supports the Flint Rising Initiative because the Flint River is so important to all of us. The issues at hand do not end at our city or county borders. The decisions we will make about land, water, environmental protections, conservation, and growth will have a direct effect on all of our communities.”   

The forum featured perspectives from Stacy Funderburke of The Conservation Fund, Gordon Rogers of Flint Riverkeeper, and Sara Leaders of the City of Milton, who shared insights on strategies communities can use to balance development with natural resource protection and greenspace preservation. The event was held at the historic Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, providing a fitting backdrop for conversations about regional growth, stewardship, and long-term community sustainability.

“It was exciting to bring together such a diverse group of community leaders from across the region,” said Chris Doane, President and CEO of the Southern Conservation Trust. “The level of  participation demonstrated a shared interest in finding ways to balance economic opportunities with the preservation of greenspace and natural resources. These conversations are an important step toward building stronger, more sustainable communities for generations to come.” 

The Flint Rising Leadership Forum is part of SCT’s broader effort to foster collaboration among regional leaders and build a shared vision for the future of the Upper Flint River region. By bringing together voices from across municipal, county, business, and conservation sectors, Flint Rising aims to encourage informed decision-making and develop strategies that support both thriving communities and healthy natural systems. 

To learn more about the Flint Rising Initiative, visit FlintRising.org. Flint Rising is a five-year initiative to guide a community driven effort to balance development and conservation within the Upper Flint River region of Georgia with an initial focus on Fayette and Coweta Counties. It establishes shared goals, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes to ensure that growth in the region elevates rather than diminishes the natural systems that sustain local communities. 

To stay connected with the Southern Conservation Trust and learn about upcoming initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved, subscribe  to SCT’s monthly newsletter at sctlandtrust.org.