The Nature Conservancy in Georgia Launches New South River Neighborhood Network Initiative

The Nature Conservancy in Georgia (www.nature.org/georgia) has just launched its new ” South River Neighborhood Network” initiative (http://bit.ly/2omodbNB), part of the Conservancy’s global conservation in cities program. One project is the installation of a native plant pollinator garden in Sugar Creek Garden and Herb Farm at the Wylde Center in Decatur.

The garden’s main purpose is to grow herbs for wholesale to local restaurants. It’s also home to pollinators, birds and small animals, so Wylde Center staff has made it a priority to plant native plants for both food and habitat. Both the herb beds and pollinator gardens are interpreted through regular education programming.

Atlanta has long been known as the “city in a forest” due to its many trees, uncommon in major cities. Two major river systems, the Chattahoochee and South Rivers, run through Atlanta and support the forests, but are largely hidden. The Sought River spans the boundary between the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County, running through many unique communities like the City of Decatur.

Working with DeKalb County, Park Pride, the South River Watershed Alliance, Trees Atlanta and many other community partners, this initiative will fund and support stream and forest revitalization projects to improve water quality, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

The Conservancy will hold community events to engage Decatur residents in the shared benefits of public greenspaces and to heighten community engagement around environmental issues in south Atlanta.