Conservation Partnership Protects 130 Acres at Wharton Conservation Center
Jasper, Georgia (October 6, 2026)— Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia (MCT) has taken on the stewardship of a 130-acre conservation easement at the Wharton Conservation Center (WCC) in Towns County, ensuring the property’s exceptional natural resources will remain protected for generations to come. MCT is assuming responsibility for the easement, formerly held by The Conservation Fund, in partnership with The Orianne Society, which owns and manages WCC. The property features forests, streams, waterfalls, and mountain habitats that support exceptional diversity among reptiles, amphibians, plants, and other wildlife.
WCC serves as The Orianne Society’s headquarters and Southern Appalachian hub for conservation, research, education, and collaboration. The center honors the legacy of Dr. Charles H. Wharton, an ecologist, educator, and conservationist whose work helped shape conservation in Georgia. MCT’s stewardship of the conservation easement, together with The Orianne Society’s management of the property, will help ensure that this special place remains a lasting conservation legacy in the Southern Appalachians.
“We are honored to partner with MCT to conserve the incredible biodiversity at Wharton Conservation Center,” said Dr. Chris Jenkins, CEO of The Orianne Society. “This partnership ensures that the conservation vision pioneered by Dr. Charles H. Wharton will continue for generations, safeguarding these remarkable mountain habitats while advancing research, education, and stewardship.”
“With private landowners and conservation partners, we are stitching habitat together to permanently protect the cultural and natural resources of the North Georgia mountains,” said Kristen Kordecki, Executive Director of MCT. “Collaborating with The Conservation Fund and The Orianne Society highlights the positive impact we can have on conservation when we work together. Whether it’s family land or a working farm, MCT helps landowners realize their vision for their property and their legacy.”
MCT encourages landowners across the mountains and foothills of North Georgia to consider conservation easements as a way to permanently protect their land from future development while retaining private ownership. Conservation easements can offer valuable tax benefits while protecting the natural resources, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty that define the region’s distinctive landscapes. For more information, visit mctga.org or call (706) 600-1561.
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Contact:
Perry Fears, MCT Outreach & Communications Manager
phone: (706) 600-1561
email: perry@mctga.org