Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Fund

What Do You Want the Future of Your Land to Look Like?

Conservation assistance for landowners in Fayette and Coweta Counties


You own your land. You know why it matters to you. Maybe it's the woods you've walked for years, a creek that runs through your property, wildlife you enjoy watching, family land you hope to pass down, or simply the open space you want to see remain for generations.


Flint Rising helps eligible landowners in Fayette and Coweta counties explore options for permanently protecting the land they love.


You don't have to be an expert in conservation. You don't have to have everything figured out. And exploring conservation does not mean giving up ownership of your land.


If you're curious about what conservation could look like for your property, we'd love to hear from you.

think your property might be a good fit?

You don't need to know whether your property qualifies before you contact us.

Submit the Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Form to tell us more about your property and conservation goals.

ready to

apply?

Apply for conservation assistance.

If you're ready to take the next step, complete the full Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Fund application.

why this fund?

We help make conservation possible.
Permanent conservation can feel complicated. Surveys, appraisals, title work, legal work, conservation planning, and other costs can create significant barriers for landowners who want to protect their property.


The Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Fund was created to help landowners move from conservation interest to conservation action.

Eligible assistance may help reduce some of the financial and logistical barriers associated with pursuing permanent land conservation.


what can the fund help with?


Eligible support may include:

  • Assistance with due diligence expenses
  • Cost-share or matching support for conservation-related costs
  • Prioritization of high-value habitats, greenspaces, and watershed protection areas
  • A more accessible pathway to permanent conservation


Available assistance varies by project and is subject to program eligibility, evaluation, approval, and available funding.

why landowners sometimes don't take the first step

"It sounds expensive."

Surveys, appraisals, title work, legal work, and other costs can add up.

FLINT RISING: Eligible landowners may receive financial assistance with certain conservation-related expenses.


"I don't understand the process."

Conservation easements and other conservation tools can involve unfamiliar legal, financial, and technical considerations.

FLINT RISING: SCT's conservation team can help landowners understand the process and work alongside the appropriate professional advisors.

"I'm not sure what conservation means for my property."

Every property — and every landowner's goals — is different.

FLINT RISING: Start with a conversation. You don't have to commit to a conservation project just to explore your options.


"I don't know if my land is important enough."

You don't have to determine your property's conservation value on your own.

FLINT RISING: SCT evaluates properties based on conservation value, regional priorities, and program criteria.


HOW IT WORKS

  • 1. START WITH A CONVERSATION

    Tell us about your property and what you're hoping to accomplish.


    You don't need to have all the answers.

  • 2. EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

    SCT staff will learn more about your property and goals and help you understand whether Flint Rising and permanent conservation may be a good fit.

  • 3. APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

    If your property appears to be a fit, you'll complete the full Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Fund application.

  • 4. SCT REVIEW & EVALUATION

    SCT's Conservation & Stewardship team evaluates projects based on conservation value, regional priorities, and program criteria.

  • 5. FUNDING DECISION

    Following staff and executive review, the SCT Board of Directors reviews recommendations and votes on funding approval.


    Approved projects may receive cost-share assistance, matching support, or funding for eligible conservation expenses.

  • 6. CONSERVATION PLANNING & CLOSING

    If you ultimately decide to pursue a conservation easement, you'll work with SCT and your own legal and financial advisors to develop and record an agreement tailored to your property.


    This process typically takes 6–12 months to complete.


    Remember:


    Talking with SCT or submitting an initial inquiry does not commit you to a conservation easement.

IS MY PROPERTY A GOOD FIT?

✔ Is Located in Fayette or Coweta County

✔ Contains forests, waterways, wildlife habitat, agricultural land, or other conservation values

✔ Has strong potential for long-term conservation

✔ Is important to you and you want to explore options for protecting it

✔ You are interested in permanent land protection — even if you're not sure what that means yet

not sure? that's okay.

Start with a conversation.

READY TO APPLY?

Apply for conservation assistance.

QUESTIONS LANDOWNERS OFTEN ASK

  • WILL I STILL OWN MY LAND?

    Yes. A conservation easement generally allows the landowner to retain ownership while permanently protecting specified conservation values on the property.

  • CAN I STILL USE MY PROPERTY?

    Potentially, yes. A conservation easement is tailored to the property and establishes which future uses are compatible with the conservation goals of the agreement.

  • DO I HAVE TO SELL MY PROPERTY TO SCT?

    No. A conservation easement is different from selling or donating your property outright. The landowner generally retains ownership.

  • DOES APPLYING MEAN I HAVE TO CONSERVE MY LAND?

    No. An initial conversation or inquiry does not commit you to a conservation easement.

  • WHAT EXACTLY IS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT?

    A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization that permanently protects specified conservation values on a property.

  • CAN MY CHILDREN INHERIT THE PROPERTY?

    Generally, yes. Ownership can remain with the landowner and can be transferred to heirs, subject to the terms of the conservation easement.

  • CAN I SELL MY PROPERTY LATER?

    Generally, yes. A conservation easement typically remains with the property when ownership changes, meaning future owners are also bound by its terms.

  • HOW MUCH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN I RECEIVE?

    Assistance varies by project and is subject to program eligibility, evaluation, approval, and available funding.

  • WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHETHER CONSERVATION IS RIGHT OR ME?

    That's okay.


    You don't have to know the answer before you contact us.


    Start with a conversation and let our team help you understand your options.

  • DO YOU PLAN TO EXTEND THE FUND TO OTHER COUNTIES?

    Yes. Flint Rising is a regional initiative, and we hope to expand Conservation Assistance Fund support to additional counties as funding becomes available.


    Our current regional focus includes counties within the Upper Flint River region, with Fayette and Coweta counties currently prioritized for available assistance. As additional funding becomes available, we will evaluate opportunities to support conservation in other priority areas.


    If you own property outside Fayette or Coweta counties and think your land could be a good fit for conservation, we still want to hear from you. Complete our Tell Us About Your Land form so we can learn more about your property and keep you informed about future opportunities.


    TELL US ABOUT YOUR LAND FORM

THANK YOU TO OUR FOUNDING FUNDING PARTNER

The Flint Rising Conservation Assistance Fund is proudly supported by Georgia Power, whose investment is helping expand permanent conservation opportunities across Fayette and Coweta counties.

the flint rising initiative

Powered by Partnership. Rooted in Conservation. Focused on the Future.

PURPOSE

Flint Rising is a five-year initiative to guide a community-driven effort to balance development and conservation within the Fayette and Coweta region of Georgia. It establishes shared goals, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes to ensure that growth in the region elevates, rather than diminishes, the natural systems that sustain local communities.


VISION STATEMENT

A thriving Fayette and Coweta area where community-driven conservation, responsible development, and ecological resilience rise together.


MISSION STATEMENT

To bring the community together to elevate nature by promoting balanced growth, encouraging conservation, restoring ecosystems, and empowering collaboration across the Fayette-Coweta area.

SUPPORT FLINT RISING: HELP EXPAND CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES

Additional contributions help expand conservation opportunities, reduce barriers for landowners, and protect more greenspace for future generations.