The Nature Conservancy Preserves 355 Acres in North Georgia

Private Landowners Participate in Land Deals That Protect the Etowah and Conasauga Rivers

Atlanta—April 29, 2005—In two separate land deals with private landowners, The Nature Conservancy has protected 355 acres of significant forest habitat in north Georgia. The two tracts of land are located within the Chattahoochee National Forest and provide critical forested buffers for two of Georgia’s freshwater river systems – the Etowah and Conasauga rivers.

"The purchase of these properties is a significant step towards protecting our freshwater resources in north Georgia," said Tavia McCuean, director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "Through partnerships with private landowners and agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, we are able to safeguard these special places throughout the state."

The larger tract represents more than 315 acres along Holly Creek in the Conasauga River watershed in Murray County, Ga. Surrounded on three sides by the Chattahoochee National Forest, the property was identified by The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service as a priority for conservation.

"The family has treasured the property and are delighted to see that it will be protected in its pristine state," said landowner Randolph Thrower. "We are pleased that the land is in the hands of The Nature Conservancy and will continue to be cared for."

The second tract, 40 acres in Lumpkin County, Ga., is The Nature Conservancy’s first acquisition of a two-phase land purchase that will protect a total of 80 acres. Both tracts are located in the Etowah River watershed and are vital to the protection of the river habitat.

"As citizens of the world, I think it is our responsibility to steward our land and waters the best that we can for future generations," said Nancy Forsyth Noblin, whose family has owned the property for more than a century. "Working with The Nature Conservancy to make sure my land is protected is one very small way that I can do my part to protect our natural resources."

The Nature Conservancy will manage both of the newly acquired lands until they are transferred to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Forest Service will purchase these properties from The Nature Conservancy with funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

"U.S. Representatives Nathan Deal and Charles Norwood and U.S Senator Saxby Chambliss and former U.S. Senator Zell Miller have played a tremendous role in supporting federal appropriations for preserving our natural resources in north Georgia," said Thomas Farmer, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "Their support, in addition to partners such as the Georgia Wetland Trust Fund and the U.S. Forest Service, has made it possible for The Nature Conservancy to protect land and water resources in Georgia."

About the Conasauga River
The headwaters for the Holly Creek start within the Chattahoochee National Forest and feed into the Conasauga River. Covering nearly 500,000 acres of land -- including 119,000 acres in the Chattahoochee National Forest – the Conasauga River supports 26 species of rare fish, federally protected mussels, rare dragonflies and ranks in the top six of 2,000 watersheds in the United States in terms of natural diversity. The Conasauga River is also one of 12 U.S. Forest Service National Watershed Projects. The Nature Conservancy has been working closely with private landowners, government agencies, and industries in the Conasauga watershed to establish best management practices, restore and protect riparian habitat, and establish permanent conservation easements.

About the Etowah River
The Etowah River watershed, located approximately an hour north of Atlanta, joins the Oostanaula River in Rome, Ga., to form the Coosa River which then flows west into Alabama. The Nature Conservancy is working in the upper portion of the Etowah basin above Lake Allatoona where the aquatic biological diversity is mostly intact. With over 76 species of fish, including 17 rare or declining species, scientists have estimated that the Etowah River has more imperiled aquatic species than any other river system of its size in the southeastern United States. The greatest threat to the river system is sprawling urban growth. The Nature Conservancy is working with local communities to develop sustainable land use planning practices that would protect ecologically sensitive areas.