Georgia awards $25M for 12 park, trail and conservation projects across state

A saffron flower blooming in a patch in Chattahoochee Hills. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the recipients of its Outdoor Stewardship Program grants totaling $24.6 million for 12 conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the state.

The Outdoor Stewardship Program was created in 2018 when Georgia voters approved a measure to dedicate sales tax on outdoor recreation equipment to conservation and parks projects. It is the state’s first dedicated funding source for the conservation of priority lands, stewardship of state wildlife management areas and support of local parks and trails.

This year’s round of grantees includes $1.9 million for the city of Chattahoochee Hills in south Fulton County to buy property along the Chattahoochee River to expand an existing park and increase access to fishing, boating, hiking and camping.