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The Nature Conservancy Celebrates 50th Anniversary on October 22.

The Conservancy and its more than one million members have helped protect more than ninety million acres, including 200,000 acres in Georgia

Atlanta, GA — The Nature Conservancy, the organization known for protecting nature's Last Great Places, will celebrate its 50 anniversary on October 22, 2001. 

Dedicated to preserving the lands and waters that harbor the world's array of plant and animal species, a small group of scientists founded the Conservancy in 1951, and soon set a precedent of taking direct action for conservation by purchasing and protecting 60 acres of land in New York.  The Conservancy has remained true to its founders' vision, and now has protected more than 12 million acres in the United States, and helped protect more than 80 million acres in 28 other countries across the rest of the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.  In sum, the Conservancy now has helped protect more than 92 million acres, an area greater than three times the size of the entire state of New York. 

In Georgia, The Nature Conservancy's presence began in 1964 with a 73-acre donation of property, their Charles Harrold preserve.   The organization still retains ownership of this property located near Metter.  Since that time, the Georgia Chapter has protected over 200,000 acres in Georgia, owns and manages 17 preserves and has over 20,000 member households.

"It is an honor to be part of an organization that has accomplished so much in 50 years.  The Georgia Chapter is focused on continuing to align ourselves with The Nature Conservancy's guiding principles and science-driven approach.  These philosophies have helped secure our place as the leading conservation organization in the world," said Tavia C. McCuean, Vice President and State Director of the Georgia program.

The Conservancy uses science to identify conservation priorities, and then works in a collaborative and non-confrontational way to achieve tangible, lasting results to protect these places.  Although the Conservancy is perhaps best known for its outright purchases of ecologically important areas, it now employs a wide array of additional conservation tools, from conservation easements, which allow private landowners to protect their property, to the negotiation of innovative agreements with private companies and government agencies.

As part of its effort to protect vital habitats, the Conservancy's work in the United States has led to the creation of a network of more than 1,400 nature preserves that are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.  In Georgia, some of the Conservancy's best known preserves include Broxton Rocks in Douglas, the Moody Forest Natural Area in Baxley, Marshall Forest and Black's Bluff in Rome and Heggie's Rock in Augusta.

"The Nature Conservancy will continue to move forward eagerly and with confidence, inspired by the importance of the mission and propelled by the success of the past," said Steve McCormick, president and CEO of the Conservancy.