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Our Story

The Mountain Conservation Trust was born because people care about the mountain environment.

The concern in 1991 was that much of the open land in North Georgia was being irresponsibly managed and carved into pieces not suitable for sustaining natural ecosystems.

In response to plans by Georgia Pacific to clear almost 800 acres of the steep, forested slopes abutting Oglethorpe Mountain, a group of 10 like-minded people* gathered at the home of Miriam and John Kiser. Socially and economically diverse, this group’s conversation began the journey to protect the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains they called home. 

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Our Mission & Approach

The Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia (MCT) is dedicated to the permanent conservation of the natural resources and scenic beauty of the North Georgia foothills and mountains. With a mission focused only on the North Georgia mountains and foothills region, we serve as a regional catalyst for critical conservation efforts in North Georgia.

The Etowah River watershed and Lake Allatoona are identified in the top tier of importance for protecting drinking water. Maps created by the US Forest Service show areas of the country that are experiencing high consumer water demand and are facing significant development threats. The darker blue the watershed, the higher the importance of the watershed.

The mountainous region of North Georgia is celebrated for its ecological diversity and remarkable recreational opportunities. As the southernmost reach of a vast mountain range, the hardwood forests of the Blue Ridge region are home to the richest temperate freshwater ecosystems in the world, providing refuge to native mussels, fish, crayfish, and invertebrates. The Etowah River, which drains a significant portion of North Georgia, is renowned for its unique and globally significant biodiversity, or the variety of life found within it. The river and its tributaries are home to several endangered and/or threatened fish species, which are indicators of watershed health. These species include the amber darter (Percina antesella), the Etowah darter (Etheostoma etowahae), and the Cherokee darter (Etheostoma scotti) and are found nowhere else in the world.

Formed in 1991 by dedicated residents and champions of the North Georgia mountains, the Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia is the only land trust with a stated mission to protect this region. MCT focuses on land protection, collaborative partnerships, and education designed to preserve and enhance the environmental quality and rural character of the mountains.

Over the years, our tactics have evolved to meet the ever-changing challenges facing the region, but our mission is unfaltering: to permanently conserve the natural resources and scenic beauty of the North Georgia foothills and mountains.

Email us to get a copy of the full Case Statement

 

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