273
0
Fayetteville, GEORGIA, November 6, 2026 – On Monday, November 2, the Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) convened community leaders, regional stakeholders, and elected officials from Fayette and Coweta Counties for the Flint Rising Leadership Forum. The gathering focused on strengthening regional collaboration and exploring how communities can balance economic growth with natural resource conservation, water resources protection, and greenspace preservation.
As development continues to shape the Upper Flint River region, the forum provided an opportunity for leaders across municipal, county, business, and conservation sectors to exchange perspectives, explore best practices, and discuss opportunities for more thoughtful, coordinated growth. The conversation emphasized the importance of looking beyond jurisdictional boundaries to protect the natural resources and greenspaces that connect and sustain local communities.
Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the region, including the City of Newnan, Newnan Utilities, Newnan-Coweta Chamber, City of Senoia, Coweta-Fayette EMC, City of Peachtree City, Town of Tyrone, Fayette County, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Development Authority, Three Rivers Regional Commission, Atlanta Regional Commission, Canvas Planning Group, Keep College Park Beautiful, Outlaw Consulting, Alta Planning, Flint Riverway, The Conservation Fund, Flint Riverkeeper, Atlanta Gas Light and the City of Milton.
Peachtree City Mayor Kim Learnard welcomed attendees and expressed her support for the continued efforts to promote responsible growth and conservation throughout Fayette and Coweta Counties. “Peachtree City supports the Flint Rising Initiative because the Flint River is so important to all of us. The issues at hand do not end at our city or county borders. The decisions we will make about land, water, environmental protections, conservation, and growth will have a direct effect on all of our communities.”
The forum featured perspectives from Stacy Funderburke of The Conservation Fund, Gordon Rogers of Flint Riverkeeper, and Sara Leaders of the City of Milton, who shared insights on strategies communities can use to balance development with natural resource protection and greenspace preservation. The event was held at the historic Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, providing a fitting backdrop for conversations about regional growth, stewardship, and long-term community sustainability.
“It was exciting to bring together such a diverse group of community leaders from across the region,” said Chris Doane, President and CEO of the Southern Conservation Trust. “The level of participation demonstrated a shared interest in finding ways to balance economic opportunities with the preservation of greenspace and natural resources. These conversations are an important step toward building stronger, more sustainable communities for generations to come.”
The Flint Rising Leadership Forum is part of SCT’s broader effort to foster collaboration among regional leaders and build a shared vision for the future of the Upper Flint River region. By bringing together voices from across municipal, county, business, and conservation sectors, Flint Rising aims to encourage informed decision-making and develop strategies that support both thriving communities and healthy natural systems.
To learn more about the Flint Rising Initiative, visit FlintRising.org. Flint Rising is a five-year initiative to guide a community-driven effort to balance development and conservation within the Upper Flint River region of Georgia with an initial focus on Fayette and Coweta Counties. It establishes shared goals, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes to ensure that growth in the region elevates rather than diminishes the natural systems that sustain local communities.
To stay connected with the Southern Conservation Trust and learn about upcoming initiatives, events, and opportunities to get involved, subscribe to SCT’s monthly newsletter at sctlandtrust.org.
About Southern Conservation Trust
Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) is a Georgia-based land trust dedicated to elevating nature through exceptional stewardship. SCT is a 501(c)(3) public charity that impacts and stewards more than 65,000 acres across the Southeast, including five public nature areas and the Flint Nature Center in Fayette County. Through land conservation, environmental education, and public access to nature, SCT works to ensure protected lands benefit both people and the environment. Learn more at sctlandtrust.org.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.