The Orianne Society acquires 129-acre conservation center in north Georgia

By AI, Created 9:00 PM UTC, May 22, 2026, /AGP/ – The Orianne Society has acquired the Charles H. Wharton Conservation Center, a 129-acre property in northeast Georgia that will become a base for conservation, research, education and collaboration in the Southern Appalachians. The site will support ecological research, habitat restoration and training while extending the group’s Appalachian Highlands Initiative.

Why it matters: - The Charles H. Wharton Conservation Center gives The Orianne Society a permanent foothold in a biologically rich part of the Southern Appalachians. - The 129-acre site will support long-term research, habitat restoration, student training and public engagement focused on reptiles, amphibians and the ecosystems they depend on. - The property adds a new platform for regional conservation work in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the eastern United States.

What happened: - The Orianne Society announced the acquisition of the Charles H. Wharton Conservation Center in Clayton, Ga., on May 22, 2026. - The property was donated to The Orianne Society by the Charles H. Wharton Conservation Center, the nonprofit that previously owned and managed the land. - The organizations will work together to carry forward Charlie Wharton’s long-term vision for the property.

The details: - The property sits in the mountains of northeast Georgia and will serve as a hub for conservation, research, education and collaboration in the Southern Appalachians. - The land includes mature forest, streams, wetlands and diverse mountain habitats. - The site supports salamanders, snakes, turtles and other species of conservation concern. - The Orianne Society says the property will strengthen its Appalachian Highlands Initiative. - The center will also support habitat restoration and environmental monitoring projects tied to regional conservation efforts. - The property honors Charles H. Wharton, a Georgia naturalist, conservationist and educator known for his work in ecology and commitment to conservation in the Southeast. - Dr. Chris Jenkins, CEO of The Orianne Society, called the acquisition “a transformational moment” for the organization and said the site will help expand conservation impact, host students and researchers, and build partnerships. - Ed Taylor, a friend of Charlie Wharton and board member of the CHWCC, said the land is going into “an even more able set of hands” and that the move reflects Wharton’s intentions for the property. - The property will host workshops, internships, volunteer programs and educational events throughout the year. - The Orianne Society plans to bring students, scientists, land managers and conservation partners to the site.

Between the lines: - The acquisition appears to turn a single property into a long-term operating center, not just a preserved parcel. - The emphasis on education, research and partnerships suggests The Orianne Society wants the site to function as both a field station and a convening space. - The preservation of Wharton’s name and stated vision helps frame the transition as continuity, not a change in mission.

What’s next: - The Orianne Society will launch a broader campaign in the coming months to highlight the property’s history and future role. - The group plans to release video tours, interviews and stories on its social media platforms and website. - Those updates will focus on the landscape, Charles H. Wharton’s legacy and future conservation and research opportunities at the site.