Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia

06/09/2026

This past Saturday, MCT staff was present for the ribbon cutting of the new Byron Herbert Reece Trail at Blood Mountain! ⛰️
Kudos to Georgia Appalachian Trail Club and Appalachian Trail Conservancy for their years-long efforts in collaboration with the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to create a more natural, traditional backcountry experience! The new BHR will be a sustainable trail through the beautiful forest with less chance of erosion, less ongoing maintenance, and less human intervention.

06/06/2026

Happy from north Georgia's trails to yours!🌳
MCT and American Hiking Society hope you use today as a chance to get outdoors and become a steward of the trails you love!

05/13/2026

One week ago, we lost Ted Turner. Today, we honor his life, legacy, and impact that expanded beyond media and business and into the landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems he strove to protect.

Through his conservation efforts, Turner helped preserve millions of acres of open land across the American West and South, which helped to create critical habitats for native species and champion the restoration of bison populations in North America. His belief that conservation and stewardship were essential to the future of our planet inspired generations of landowners, environmentalists, and nonprofit organizations alike.

We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and all those inspired by his work. May we continue carrying forward the vision he so passionately advanced.

05/05/2026

A message from our Executive Director:

“Recently, I had the honor of presenting to and hiking with the 2026 Class of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leaders. We discussed the role that the Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia plays in conserving and stewarding lands in the North Georgia mountains. We went on a wonderful hike along Anderson Creek in Gilmer county. The native trilliums were in full bloom, and we even found a white pine tree where a black bear had left its claw marks. The most exciting part of the hike was crossing a bouncing log bridge across the creek—everyone made it! We heard that some IGELians in previous classes opted to turn around at the prospect!”

04/29/2026

This past Saturday, MCT’s executive director Bill Sapp hosted his famous “Blue on Green” event! 🌿💧
Here, representatives from environmental groups across the state joined together to celebrate and spotlight the incredible work being done to protect the land, waters, plants and wildlife of the region.
Thank you to all who attended, and to our speakers: Sally Bethea (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper), Stacy Funderburke (The Conservation Fund), Tony Able (Southeast Beaver Alliance), and David Haskell (author of “How Flowers Made Our World”).

04/24/2026

We are REEL-y excited to attend the 2026 Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures festival TOMORROW 4/25! 🎣
So thrilled to be a part of Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival, come see us at booth number 65 from 10 AM-4:30 PM!

04/23/2026

Important info from the Georgia Forestry Commission!

🔥 Wildfire Safety Resources – Know How to Protect What Matters Most

As wildfire activity continues across Georgia, it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones - not just from fire, but from smoke and changing conditions.

On our wildfire information page, the Safety & Preparedness tab includes practical tips to help you stay safe, along with resources from trusted partners, including guidance on:

➡️ Protecting your lungs and overall health from wildfire smoke
➡️ Keeping children and family members safe during poor air quality
➡️ Caring for pets and livestock during smoky conditions
➡️ Preparing your home and family for potential evacuations
➡️ Staying aware of changing conditions and safety recommendations

These resources are designed to help you make informed decisions and stay prepared during active wildfire conditions.

🔗 Explore safety resources:
https://gatrees.org/current-wildfire-information-and-resources/

When conditions are this dry, preparation and awareness matter more than ever.

Fighting fire. Protecting forests. Serving Georgia.

04/22/2026

Did you know that we are in the heart of the spring migratory season? 🐦‍⬛
According to our friends at Birds Georgia, most migrating birds pass over Georgia at night for a calmer, safer flight. But bright lights, such as outdoor lighting in residential or commercial areas, can disorient these fliers.
To protect our feathery friends, we are participating in Birds Georgia’s “Lights Out Georgia” campaign—and we hope you will too! 💡

04/22/2026

MCT will be at Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival this Saturday 4/25! Swing by our booth anytime between 10AM - 4PM! 🎣

Holy smokes, we're only a month away from Trout Fest '26! Check out the official poster for this year's festival, save the date, and spread the word! Tickets & more info here: https://blueridgetroutfest.com/

04/13/2026

“[These] are some black bear shots from my backyard. I was sitting on the deck with my trained attack cat under my chair growling.” —Bob Appleget, photographer 📸

How lucky are we to protect the lands and waters of the north GA mountains—home to the iconic black bear!