Athens-Clark County | 11
tion plants and its employees have earned
top honors by the Georgia Association of
Water Professionals; awards demonstrat-
ing these operations reflect best practices
in the industry.
HEALTHY HABITATATION
The Athens-Clark County Unified Gov-
ernment GreenspaceAcquisition Program
has been instrumental in the protection of
habitats enjoyed by both wildlife and na-
ture lovers. Vast acres of land have been
preserved through this program which in-
cludes a recent acquisition of more than
300 acres of ecologically diverse forest-
land that borders the Middle Oconee Riv-
er. The acquisition followed more than
two years of negotiations with the land-
owner and collaboration with local orga-
nizations that include the Oconee River
Land Trust and the Athens Land Trust.
The Athens Land Trust is a private,
not-for-profit corporation who has not
only been vital to land preservation, but
the creation of community gardens and
farmers markets. It has also advanced in
neighborhood revitalization initiatives
and programs that promote both afford-
able and energy efficient housing. Those
efforts have prompted considerable com-
munity engagement with schools now de-
veloping educational curriculum around
the work that takes place in managing
local gardens, in many cases, that work
is performed local students. Athens Land
Trust Operations Director Heather Ben-
ham says some students have actually
secured jobs in helping manage area gar-
dens, and in other cases, the experience
and references gained from that work has
led to even greater employment. And in
an era which has given way to a national
epidemic in child obesity rates, Benham
indicates another benefit that has resulted
from the creation of community gardens
– “Studies show that when kids help grow
vegetables, they are more likely to include
vegetables in their diet.”
Affordable housing and community
revitalization projects have also taken
root through the work of the Athens Land
Trust, and not without some challenges
that had to be overcome. Benham says in
the green areas, outside of the main ur-
ban corridor, land is cheaper and some
felt these areas should be designated for
