Our Approach

The Nature Conservancy has developed a strategic, science-based planning process called Conservation by Design, which enables us to identify the highest priority landscapes and seascapes that, if protected, will ensure the highest level of biological diversity possible over the long-term.

In Georgia, the Conservancy staff has applied the Conservation by Design process to systematically identify priority projects around the state. From restoring stream banks along the Conasauga River in north Georgia to revitalizing native longleaf pine forests in the coastal plain with prescribed fire to monitoring the migration patterns of the endangered shortnose sturgeon in the Savannah River, Conservancy scientists are dedicated to protecting Georgia’s lands and waters for future generations.

Since the Conservancy began its work in Georgia in the 1960s. we have protected more than 267,000 acres – from the marshes and barrier islands to the upland forests and freshwater rivers. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done. As a result, our work has never been more crucial.

In addition to its state headquarters in Atlanta, the Conservancy has eight field offices located around the state of Georgia, each staffed with experienced scientists who work within the framework of Conservation by Design to accomplish specific objectives with lasting, meaningful results for all Georgians.

Our Methods and Techniques

The Nature Conservancy cannot protect all of these places single-handedly. Partnerships are essential to our work. By collaborating with communities, businesses, governments, other conservation organizations and individual landowners, the Conservancy is ensuring precious lands and waters will be safeguarded for future generations. There are several tools available to protect special places:

• Land acquisition
• Conservation easements
  A conservation easement is a voluntary, legally binding agreement that limits certain types of uses or prevents development from taking place on a piece of property now and in the future, while protecting the property’s ecological or open-space values. Download the Georgia Conservation Easement brochure.
• Conservation Tax Credits (federal and state)
  Signed into state law in 2006, the Conservation Tax Credit legislation provides incentives to Georgia landowners to keep their land undeveloped or as forests through the use of a conservation easement. Also, new federal legislation has recently been enacted that expands tax incentives for donations of land or conservation easements to conservation organizations.It may be financially beneficial to make your year-end gift using appreciated stocks or mutual funds. 
  By donating securities and allowing The Nature Conservancy to sell them, you avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation, and you are entitled to a charitable tax deduction for the full value of the stock!

To learn more abut how you can preserve your land, contact Michelle Cable at (404) 253-7213 or mcable@tnc.org