Metro Atlanta: Assessing Conservation Opportunities

Foundations, corporations, institutions, federal and state agencies, land trusts, and local governments turn to The Conservation Fund to help them define and implement their conservation objectives by developing a framework for identifying conservation priorities, determining data collection needs, defining conservation analysis requirements, and designing a strategy for implementation.

Parks are the green heart of Atlanta. They are our most inclusive and diverse gathering spots, providing opportunities to connect people often separated by social and income barriers.

- Arthur Blank, Founder, Home Depot and Arther M. Blank Foundation

Summary

To support the design of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation's new conservation grants program, The Conservation Fund undertook an assessment of open space protection opportunities in Metropolitan Atlanta.

Challenge

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation wanted to make downtown Atlanta more livable. As Arthur Blank states, "America’s parks are often our first experience with nature and the outdoors. We must nurture and protect these special places if we are to inspire the next generation of conservationists.”

Solution

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation funded an open-space assessment conducted by The Conservation Fund, which found that Atlanta has one of the nation’s lowest percentages of parkland per capita. With Blank’s support, the Fund is working with the city to identify and set priorities for land protection efforts, expanding open space while helping to attract economic investments.

Results

Based on the Fund's recommendations, the Foundation focused on providing greenspace and parklands in currently underserved and economically disadvantaged areas inside Interstate 285. Already, the Fund and the city have protected more than 140 acres of prime parkland worth $2 million, providing both environmental and economic benefits to a rapidly growing region.

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