South Fork Conservancy raises $74 k and unveils Buckhead bridge design at Creek Rising

By Evelyn Andrews for the Reporter Newspapers

The South Fork Conservancy unveiled concept designs for the Confluence Bridge planned for Buckhead at its 10th-anniversary celebration and annual fundraiser.

The April 26 event held at Zonolite Park raised $74,000 for the nonprofit, which creates trails along the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. The South Fork runs between Buckhead and Emory University. The conservancy plans to link the trails with PATH400, which has already been completed near Peachtree Creek. It also plans to connect to the Atlanta BeltLine and Brookhaven’s planned Peachtree Creek Greenway.

Read the full story and see SFC's bridge concepts here.

South Fork Conservancy Surpasses $2 Million Campaign Goal

Atlanta, GA (October 2017) – South Fork Conservancy (SFC) is working to complete approximately five miles of creekside trails in the heart of Atlanta with funds donated to its capital campaign, Revealing the Creek.

Fourteen months after announcing a goal of $2 million for its first-ever capital campaign, SFC announced that it has surpassed that goal during a celebration on October 24. Campaign co-chair and Board President, Billy Hall said, “This is a milestone in our vision to connect people and communities and our natural environment.  The funds from this campaign will launch the effort to create 30 miles of trails connecting greenspace from Lindberg to the perimeter.”

To date, the campaign raised $2,041,000 and funds are still being received. Notable donations include a $500,000 gift from the Kendeda Fund and a $250,000 grant from Park Pride. Local business, Catalyst Development Partners and NewFields, contributed five-figure gifts.

Dozens of individuals also joined the campaign and the median gift was $36,400. Campaign co-chair, Joni Winston said, “Foundations, businesses, and our local community have all enthusiastically joined us and we are deeply grateful for their generosity. Their support shows a powerful connection to our mission of creating an urban oasis along Peachtree Creek.”

Campaign funds are already being put to work on six impactful trail projects. Once completed, these infrastructure improvements will connect the SFC pedestrian trail system to the Atlanta BeltLine, PATH400, and Peachtree Creek Greenway near the intersection of I85 and GA 400. This trail hub will eventually connect Buckhead to Emory University’s Campus. This connectivity to greenspace is designed to enrich the lives of community members, enhance the livability of Atlanta, and add to the city’s character.

“We hope that surpassing our goal in our first capital campaign will help more people learn about our trails and inspire even more community members to join us through membership and volunteering,” said Billy Hall. For information on donating, or visiting South Fork’s four completed creekside trails, visit www.SouthForkConservancy.org and check their Facebook page for updates.

South Fork Conservancy Named a Water Hero in Clean 13 Report

‘Clean 13’ lauded by environmental and conservation groups in Georgia

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution11:43 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017

The Georgia Water Coalition released a new report Wednesday applauding the “Clean 13,’” people, businesses, local governments and others from across the state that it says are working to make local waterways cleaner.  Read the full story here: http://on-ajc.com/2gP2Vha

The Coca-Cola Co. funds South Fork Conservancy’s efforts at Zonolite Park

By David Penderedfor the Saporta Report

The effort to improve Peachtree Creek now includes a $25,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Co. that was used to install a rainwater harvesting system at Zonolite Park, in northeast Atlanta.

South Fork Conservancy board member and NewFields Chairman Billy Hall presents a plaque to John Radtke, director of Coca-Cola’s Water Sustainability Program. The plaque reads: ‘This rainwater harvester is a gift from The Coca-Cola Company to the watershed and all the life it supports.’ Credit: Eric Voss

“We’re so grateful to The Coca-Cola Co. for this gift, and can’t wait to keep working with them to preserve the creeks and waterways of our city,” said Sally Sears, a founding and current board member of the South Fork Conservancy.

The grant speaks to the momentum gathering around the volunteer-driven effort to restore the corridor along one of Atlanta’s historic waterways.

Read the full article at http://saportareport.com/coca-cola-co-funds-south-fork-conservancys-efforts-zonolite-park/

Dave Butler's Fantastic Adventure November 19, 2016

Dave Butler has the calmest tone of anybody I know. Even, soothing, unflappable. Perfect for the green space restoration expert that he is, accustomed to working with deadlines measured in seasons and years. Nothing hasty. So I knew something was up when a voicemail came through recently. 

He was almost breathless.  I heard "amazing" and "fantastic." Dave? Was he smoking something?  I played the message again. 

Dave Butler in his birding cap shares a tale along the Cheshire Farm Trail with South Fork Board Chairman Bob Kerr.

"I am out here at Zonolite...saw the folks working on the pollinator garden up front.  First time I've actually seen it.  Looks great. Nice to see that vision actually come out looking good."

He had run into the Floataway volunteers tending the six-month-old garden at the trailhead. After years of talking about attracting birds and bees, the blossoms in just six months were a bright bouquet.  And carefully tended and watered by people who love the new park.  For an experienced project manager like Dave, having volunteers actually performing what we all too easily promise to do, and don't,  can be surprising.  Maintaining something? Wow! 

Then he kept talking.  

"But also, more amazing is the number of birds out here in the wetland and field, because of the grasses and plants that have grown up over here. Literally hundreds of birds are out here this morning. Flocks flying over, some in the trees, but a lot in that growth."

Dave loves birds. I first saw him with binoculars in both hands, on a DeKalb County public school trip to Ossabaw Island. He really knows birds. Here he is, former Audubon Board member,  cooing over the bird habitat Zonolite's restoration created. "That growth" means the waist high wild grasses going to seed along the trail through the meadow. Some might see an un-mowed rough. I saw an orange band of broom sedge. Dave saw the homes and dining tables for birds. 

"Which is the perfect situation... I mean this is just a perfect example of what we are trying to accomplish."

I stared happily at my phone. Was this really Dave? Saying "Perfect example?" Then he topped himself.

"Fantastic to see this!"

It is fantastic these days when projects take forever to get approval, and cleaning up $2 million worth of asbestos pollution requires a bankruptcy judge to say yes. Then agreeing with neighbors on a best plan for a wildlife corridor that includes people. Of course, how often do volunteers consistently show up?  How carefully does the county actually mow the meadow? Dave Butler and dozens of other wildlife lovers from Trees Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Audubon and Park Pride are steering the rare creekside woodlands in metro Atlanta back to a safe harbor. Even more rare is an urban floodplain meadow. Keeping it a meadow, and not letting kudzu and privet return? That requires persistence. 

"I just spoke to Adam from Audubon, and we had discussed before the cutting that may need to be done to keep the woody vegetation down. And when best to do that."

As the South Fork trails mature and connect, we will all have ideas about maintenance. When to mow? When to leave for seed production? How to keep sight lines open? Who will pay? These are the conversations we are beginning with all our partners. The answers will allow us to grow with grace and respect for our vision of connected corridors for people and wildlife, laying lightly on the land. All of that is ahead. Now, the thrill in Dave Butler's voice reminds me to pause and enjoy what we are already doing.

"Fantastic to see this!"

Thanks, Dave.

Julia Chandler Named South Fork Conservancy Treasurer

Atlanta (Nov. 2016) – Julia H. Chandler, CPA, has joined the board of the South Fork Conservancy as Treasurer. It’s the latest step forward for the nonprofit organization, which is restoring and conserving habitats along Atlanta’s Peachtree Creek, while building trails to provide more access to the natural environment.

Chandler is Vice President and Treasurer of the Carlisle Companies, a $3.5 billion multinational company. She recently relocated from Charlotte to Atlanta.

“The trails are very beautiful and the potential is exciting,” Chandler said. “I am very interested in the efforts to conserve this area within Atlanta and to create natural walking spaces in the city.  I’m also interested in contributing my background while learning from the rest of the board members about the many other disciplines that make this come together.”

Chandler’s responsibilities include monitoring the nonprofit group’s overall financial soundness, as well as helping guide its capital campaign, which recently got a $500,000 infusion of cash from The Kendeda Fund.

“After learning of Julia’s interest and reviewing her qualifications we were very eager for her to join the Board of Directors,” said Board Chair Bob Kerr. “She provides incredible financial and business experience and will fit seamlessly into the role of Treasurer. I’m eager for her to begin the process of adding more rigor and transparency to our financial management.”

Chandler earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University with a concentration in Finance & Accounting. She received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Amherst College.

For information on donating, or visiting South Fork’s urban wilderness trails, visit www.SouthForkConservancy.org. Check our Facebook page for updates.

About South Fork Conservancy

South Fork Conservancy is actively developing walking trails along Atlanta’s Peachtree Creek. Its goal is to conserve the urban waterway, connect existing and future trails, and restore the area’s natural beauty. SFC’s first phase is to create a trail system that connects Buckhead, Atlanta’s upscale business and residential center, with Emory University’s campus. Open trails include The Confluence, Cheshire Farm and Meadow Loop trails in Buckhead, and Zonolite Park in DeKalb County.  

South Fork with Sally: Teamwork Builds a Trail!

Co-founder Sally Sears reports from Peavine Creek, near the Emory University campus. 

At the Emory Village Alliance Streets Alive event, I made wreaths - from kudzu that South Fork Conservancy yanked from the creek - and decorated them with flowers.

I got so involved twisting them onto the heads of young boys and girls I didn't notice a young man studying the proposed trail maps on the poster behind me. At first, I thought he might be a little old for a wreath. But his comments were the crown of my day. 

He introduced himself as Lance Harden, cross country coach for Emory's runners. He says his team runs the trails along Peavine and the South Fork daily. And they'd like connections between the existing trails. He loves Zonolite, Herbert Taylor Park and Peavine's shorter trail. Could the trails connect so the runners could use them without having to drive? He offered an upcoming public service day for the team. Could they help?

COULD THEY HELP?

Photo by South Fork Conservancy Executive Director Kimberly Estep

Two weeks later, with big approvals confirmed by David Payne, Jimmy Powell and others in the Emory hierarchy too high or low to name here, this happened. Notice Dave Butler, in the green cap on the right. Certified arborist, former Greenspace manager from DeKalb County, wise in the ways of volunteer management. He got the materials to the site, across the green space from 1456 Emory Road, NE. Note the shovels from the Tool Bank are Emory Blue. 

Lance Harden and some thirty of his finest runners showed up on the dot of 9:00 a.m. (College kids on the dot? Wow! What discipline!) And off they went, carving a good running trail from the privet along Peavine Creek, adding some 200 yards of green trail to the Peavine Trail already well used, and installing nine of the dozen expected steps to let the rest of us ease on down the slope to the trail.

The Emory students opened the new trail with a ribbon-cutting using hedge clippers. 

Curious neighbors showed up. They helped drag unwieldy litter out of the woods. Enthusiast and landscape architect Kit Eisterhold stayed with Dave Butler, Lance Harden and the crew for the morning's work. Now we have more trail, more trail users, and a well-done day of public service by a winning Emory team.

How great is that?

Thanks, all, for the opportunity provided by Emory Village Alliance Streets Alive to further the South Fork Conservancy's vision of connected creeks and neighborhoods. I'm cheering for the Home Cross Country Team!

Sally

South Fork Conservancy Receives $500,000 Kendeda Fund Grant

Sept. 1, 2016 - Plans to connect Buckhead to an urban wilderness is getting a big boost. The Kendeda Fund has pledged $500,000 to South Fork Conservancy, which builds and connects trails along Peachtree Creek in Atlanta and DeKalb County. The Kendeda Fund’s many goals include sustainability and improving connections to the natural world.

The announcement of the grant coincided with the kick-off of South Fork’s first capital campaign: Revealing the Creek. The group hopes to raise more than $2 million to build an iconic pedestrian bridge, footpaths and other improvements that will link the Lindbergh area, PATH400 and the Atlanta BeltLine to South Fork’s existing creekside trails. 

"Kendeda’s magnificent grant gives us a solid base on which we can work to raise additional money – including promised matching funds – and demonstrates that our goal is within reach,” said South Fork Board Chairman Bob Kerr. 

“You have to experience the South Fork Trails to really grasp their importance,” said South Fork co-founder Sally Sears, noting that philanthropist Diana Blank has visited the urban greenspace. “She saw long ago what a difference this very generous grant might make.” 

Key South Fork supporters heard the news at an August 18 event hosted by capital campaign co-chairs Billy Hall and Joni Winston. Shortly before the surprise announcement, urban planner Ryan Gravel, best-known for inspiring the Atlanta BeltLine, recalled collaborating with Hall and Sears on South Fork’s initial Vision Plan.

“This topography and this terrain and this kind of watershed is all over Atlanta, but ‘all over Atlanta’ isn’t doing this,” said Gravel, whose new book is called “Where We Want to Live.” “I think that the South Fork vision here is a real model for the rest of the region in terms of connectivity, stream restoration, nature, biodiversity and all the other kinds of elements that are part of this plan.”

For information on donating, or visiting South Fork’s four completed urban wilderness trails, visit www.SouthForkConservancy.org. Check our Facebook page for updates. 

About South Fork Conservancy
South Fork Conservancy is actively developing walking trails along Atlanta’s Peachtree Creek. Its goal is to conserve the urban waterway, connect existing and future trails, and restore the area’s natural beauty. SFC’s first phase is to create a trail system that connects Buckhead, Atlanta’s upscale business and residential center, with Emory University’s campus. Open trails include The Confluence, Cheshire Farm and Meadow Loop trails in Buckhead, and Zonolite Park in DeKalb County.

South Fork Conservancy Adds Board Members

Atlanta (August 2016) – The South Fork Conservancy, which builds and connects trails along Peachtree Creek, is welcoming two prominent Atlantans to its board. They are: 

• Glenn Kurtz
• Christian P. Larsen, M.D., D.Phil.

"These two gentlemen bring additional capabilities to the board and enhance the abilities of the SFC to fulfill its mission,” said South Fork Board Chairman Bob Kerr. “They have excellent experience and exceptional energy, intellect and leadership skills. They also have a strong passion for connectivity of green spaces and neighborhoods through a low impact trail system, providing the opportunity for urban residents to get closer to nature within a reasonable walking distance and offering adults and children alike a nature-based education opportunity, improving both physical and mental health."

       Glenn Kurtz

Kurtz, director of parking at Georgia Institute of Technology, has been involved in transportation planning and management for more than 20 years. He serves as the chairman of the board for the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and the Grant Park Conservancy. He also serves on the Green Parking Council’s advisory board. He served several years on the Chastain Park Conservancy’s advisory board and was a member of the 2011 Leadership Atlanta class. Before joining Ga. Tech, he was executive vice president - Transportation and Sustainability for Lanier Parking Solutions. 

Christian Larsen, M.D.

Dr. Larsen is dean of the Emory School of Medicine, CEO and chair of the board of directors of Emory Clinic, and vice president for health center integration for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center. He is an internationally recognized leader in transplant surgery and immunology, and was founding director of the Emory Transplant Center. 

South Fork Conservancy is actively developing walking trails along Atlanta’s Peachtree Creek. Its goal is to conserve the urban waterway, connect existing and future trails, and restore the area’s natural beauty. The group’s goal is to create a trail system that will eventually connect Buckhead, Atlanta’s upscale business and residential center, with the Emory University campus and beyond. Active trails include The Confluence, Cheshire Farm and Meadow Loop trails in Buckhead, and Zonolite Park in DeKalb County. For more information, visit www.SouthForkConservancy.org. 

Resolution Honors Martha Porter Hall

The South Fork Conservancy has honored board member Martha Porter Hall for her extraordinary leadership chairing the 2016 Creek Rising Committee. Under her guidance, the event raised more funds than ever before. The resolution follows:

RESOLUTION HONORING AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO

MARTHA PORTER HALL

WHEREAS, Martha Hall joined the Board of Directors of the South Fork Conservancy with a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a passion for the mission of the SFC; and

WHEREAS, The South Fork Conservancy relies on the “Creek Rising Party” as a major fund raising tool; and

WHEREAS, Martha Hall accepted the challenge of helming a project unlike any in her environmental, city planning, zoning, and public spaces organizer experience; and

WHEREAS, Martha Hall worked tirelessly with her husband Van and a small group of volunteers to lay the foundation for a successful enterprise; and

WHEREAS, Martha Hall successfully negotiated the obstacles associated with a major leadership transition; and

WHEREAS, Martha Hall was effective in attracting major corporate sponsors and individual donors; and

WHEREAS, Martha Hall, aided by her band of volunteers, was successful in influencing, the suppliers, the local businesses, the participants themselves, and even the weather; and

WHEREAS, The 2016 Creek Rising Party was the most successful fund raising event in the history of the South Fork Conservancy.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the South Fork Conservancy commends Martha Porter Hall for her unselfish and untiring dedication and service to the people of Atlanta and the mission of the South Fork Conservancy.

            Adopted this 16th day of June, 2016