At first glance, the Middle Oconee River winding through Athens might be dismissed as just a murky stretch of water. However, it is a habitat that supports a critical ecosystem, one containing opportunities for discovery and study.
The Oconee River Land Trust (ORLT), a nonprofit organization aiming to conserve land throughout the state of Georgia and the Southeast U.S., champions the mission to protect it. After receiving a grant from the Riverview Foundation, the organization is currently working to set aside conservation along the river between West Broad Street and Macon Highway.
ORLT has begun a series of events to raise awareness and funds for the Middle Oconee River Conservation Corridor initiative. On Sept. 4, ORLT hosted a kickoff event in the University of Georgia Ecology Auditorium. James Porter, researcher and Josiah Meigs distinguished professor of ecology at the University of Georgia, gave the keynote address.
Why the River Is Important
Porter highlighted the importance of the Middle Oconee River corridor for its support of approximately 50 butterfly species. Many southern species, he said, have yet to go through the taxonomic process, meaning they have not been classified and differentiated from one another.
Most of these will be described long after the species has gone extinct, unless we conserve the habitats in which they occur. And that is what Oconee River Land Trust is trying to do,” Porter said.
Cryptic species make up a large portion of the butterfly population in Athens. These are organisms that look similar to one another, but differ genetically. They require study in order to receive valid taxonomic names.
Without a habitat to support them, extinction poses a threat and researchers can lose the chance to study the species while they are still alive. Porter said studying cryptic species is crucial to understanding ecosystem health.
“There are more undescribed species in the South than anywhere else in North America. This is the biodiversity hotspot of the U.S. Most are found in the Oconee River corridor. To protect them, we must protect the land on which they currently survive,” Porter said.
How Conservation Works
ORLT works with landowners in Athens to ensure conservation through partnership. Executive Director Dan Crescenzo said residents who have a conservation easement on their property “can continue to do what they do with the land” as long as the natural resources located there are not negatively impacted.
A conservation easement, as defined by the National Conservation Easement Database, is a legally binding, voluntary agreement between landowner and land trust that protects the property for future generations.
“I want to clarify that you’re not going to give up all your rights to do things. It’s really a discussion between the land trust and the landowner. But we are serious about getting those conservation values get protected,” Crescenzo said.
The nonprofit has found some landowners hesitant to conserve due to property rights concerns. Conserving habitats on a property may mean landowners are restricted in developing or improving the land. Still, others have been willing to partner with the organization in order to contribute to the Athens community.
Dan Coenen, professor of law at the University of Georgia and landowner along the Middle Oconee River, has been one such willing partner.
I mean, this is Athens. Who are we? What makes us special?”
“I think one thing is doing things like this,” Coenen said. “Like stepping back, seeing an opportunity to create a good thing in the world, and shouldering the wheel to make that happen.”
More Events
ORLT continued to host events, such as a fundraiser at Ciné on Sept. 25 in conjunction with photographer Jason Thrasher and local river guide “Oconee Joe.”
With the help of local Athens landowners, donations and funding from the Riverview foundation, ORLT moves forward with its goal to protect natural resources and biodiversity along the Middle Oconee River.
Anna Kadet is a third-year student majoring in journalism in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
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