Our Mission

The Athens Land Trust’s (ALT) mission is to promote quality of life through integration of community and the natural environment by preserving land, creating energy-efficient and affordable housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods. With 753 acres in Athens-Clarke, Oconee, and Walton Counties protected under conservation easement, another 350 acres in process, and over 100 affordable housing units, the ALT is producing visible results.

ALT receives National Land Trust Accreditation

The Athens Land Trust is one of two land trusts in Georgia, and one of the first in the nation, to be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The national commission awarded accreditation to 39 land trusts from across the country at its inaugural awards ceremony in Pittsburgh on September 19 during the Land Trust Alliance Rally, the largest annual gathering of land conservationists in the country. This is a milestone for the land conservation community.

"At a time when the public is demanding increasing accountability from nonprofit organizations and government, including land trusts, the new independent accreditation program provides the assurance of quality and permanence of land protection the public is looking for," said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. "The accreditation seal will be a mark of distinction in land conservation signifying that the accredited group meets national standards for excellence, upholds the public trust and ensures that conservation efforts are permanent."

ALT Named a Finalist for the 2008 Magnolia Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has named ALT a finalist for the 2008 Magnolia Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing in the Homeownership category. According to DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, "given the breadth and quality of affordable housing activities in our state, your selection as a Magnolia Award finalist is truly a great accomplishment." The Magnolia Awards will be presented at DCA's Housing Georgia Conference on November 20 in Atlanta, where finalists will present their innovative approaches to the challenge of providing affordable housing, covering topics such as homebuyer education, rental property management, financing, and building techniques.

ALT Receives Major Donation for Permanent Office Space from Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Emmanuel Episcopal Church recently donated the historic cottage at 685 N. Pope Street to the Athens Land Trust. ALT will rehabilitate the building to be used as our office. The cottage, built in 1906, has many interior historic features still intact. According to Athens Land Trust Executive Director Nancy Stangle, "Athens Land trust is very grateful to Emmanuel Episcopal Church for this donation. With our background in rehabilitating historic homes, we are very excited about having this important historic structure as our office. Having a permanent home will provide ALT with the stability and sustainability to carry out our mission more effectively."

Land Recently Protected by ALT

By December 31, 2007, ALT had completed conservation easements protecting 188 acres of working farmland in Oconee County, 50 acres in Oconee County and 13 acres along the North Oconee River in Athens-Clarke County.

ALT Recognized for Affordable Housing and Historic Preservation Efforts

ALT received three awards this spring for our work!

• 2007 Affordable Housing Award for Multifamily Development from the Athens-Clarke County Department of Human and Economic Development, recognizing Fourth Street Village
• Best New Development of 2007 Award from Athens Grow Green Coalition for Fourth Street Village
• 2008 Preservation Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation for long-term positive impacts to the Historic Hancock Corridor

- The Athens Land Trust is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1994 with the dual goals of land preservation and affordable, energy efficient housing. ALT believes in a holistic approach to sustainable development that addresses environmental, economic and community needs.

- ALT builds affordable houses for low to moderate income families and permanently protects important green space in the Athens-Clarke County Area through its Affordable Housing and Land Conservation Programs.

- Your support is critical to our continuance. Become a member and receive the Athens Land Trust Newsletter (US Mail) or request a sample copy