Deron Davis

Statement Regarding U.S. House Approval of the Great American Outdoors Act

July 23, 2020

The U.S. House of Representatives vote to pass the Great American Outdoors Act is welcomed news for the people and nature of Georgia and the state’s economy.

As a result of this decision by the House, some of Georgia’s most special public lands, like the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in north Georgia, the Ocmulgee Mounds Historical Park in Macon and the Cumberland Island National Seashore in Camden County can benefit from full and permanent funding of $900 million each year through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, derived from offshore oil and gas revenues – not tax dollars. In addition, there will be an investment of $1.9 billion annually for the next five years toward maintenance in national parks and other public lands.

Outdoor recreation generates more than $8 billion in wages and salaries and almost $2 billion in state and local tax revenue in Georgia. Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act can make a significant investment in natural resource protection and the outdoor recreation economy in our state. The Nature Conservancy is grateful to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation for making nature a bipartisan priority.

Deron Davis, Executive Director
The Nature Conservancy in Georgia

The Nature Conservancy in Georgia: Weathering the Economic Downturn

July 10, 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic downturn are impacting all sectors of business and life for supporters of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia and for the organization itself. The already complex financial management of a nonprofit is made more complex by the massive job losses and financial market impacts our supporters are experiencing.

The majority of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia’s funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who call our state home. While the funding mix also includes government grants, income from a small endowment and limited revenue from programs including ecological timber harvesting, land leases for hunting and rental income, donor contributions are the core of our funding model.

We are projecting a $250,000 deficit in our 2020 fiscal year despite early forecasts which indicated we would end the fiscal year with a surplus of up to $2 million. We are thankful to the many supporters who provided emergency funding and contributed their time and talent to the issue of our organizational sustainability.  

Our Leadership Approach

To weather the economic downturn, The Nature Conservancy in Georgia (TNC-GA) is taking the following approach, which includes making tough decisions that will result in narrowed priorities. While our scope of work will be smaller, we intend to continue delivering conservation outcomes statewide.

1. Forecast financial impact
   Using a U-shaped model of economic recovery, one that demonstrates a sharp decline and remains depressed over 12 to 24 months before bouncing back, TNC-GA is estimating a 20% reduction in donor contributions and membership revenue. With this reduction in revenue we forecast a $1.5 million shortfall in the 2021 fiscal year, which began July 1, 2020.
2. Clarify conservation priorities
   Before the Covid 19 crisis, TNC-GA launched a strategic planning process to identify our conservation priorities in Georgia for the next three years (FY21-23). In alignment with the global conservation priorities, we will protect oceans, freshwater and lands, and help communities adapt to and mitigate climate change in Georgia. We will also advance a visionary project to establish an equitable conservation corridor in Atlanta.
   
3. Make staffing adjustments
   To address the projected revenue gap, we are significantly reducing expenses, which unfortunately means staff adjustments. Through a combination of work hour reductions, furloughs, mandatory vacation and layoffs, the TNC-GA leadership team is striving to strike a delicate balance between mission effectiveness, staff satisfaction and financial sustainability.
   
4. Carefully manage revenue and expenses
   With the staffing adjustments in place, we will not fully close the projected revenue gap. We will continue to carefully monitor and manage revenue and expenses throughout the fiscal year to identify additional cost-saving measures.
   
5. Continually engage supporters
   Our large and diverse group of supporters have fueled TNC-GA’s conservation achievements for more than four decades. From local communities and our 15,000 members to federal agencies and our major donors, The Nature Conservancy works collaboratively with all sectors of society. As we continue to navigate uncertain terrain we are committed to transparency and will share timely information with you along the way. The best way to understand the benefits of conservation is to see them up close on the ground or in the water. During this time of physical distancing we are also committed to providing creative opportunities for our supporters to meet our scientists and learn more about our conservation priorities throughout Georgia.

As we navigate these unprecedented times, know that it is my intention to keep you, our Conservancy supporters, as updated as possible. 

Today and always, I am especially grateful for your support as we work together to create a world where all of nature, including humanity, thrives.

Deron Davis
Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy in Georgia