Page 25 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 4 - Fall 2021

COMMUNICATIONS
Building Momentum Among Stakeholders
The forestry community has a strong grasp on the benefits of forests to clean and abundant source-water supplies, but there is still a disconnect with water util- ities and the general public. Long-term success of market development projects depends on our ability to effectively com- municate the value that forests provide to communities across the state in the form of water quality and quantity. GFF is partnering with Keeping Forests and Georgia-Pacific to produce a short docu- mentary that is focused on highlighting a success story in our own backyard: the Savannah River Clean Water Fund.
The Savannah River Clean Water Fund is an ecosystem services project that includes portions of Georgia and South Carolina along the Savannah River. The program encompasses a broad group of stakeholders, including five drinking water utilities participat- ing as buyers in efforts to sustain the local forests’ ability to provide water ecosystem-service benefits for commu- nities and companies operating in the Savannah River Watershed. Recently, International Paper became the first partner from the private sector to join the list of buyers participating in this Clean Water Fund.
The Clean Water Fund has raised more than $585,000 from water utilities to enroll 14,165 acres of forestland in conservation easements. Utilities also contributed $180,000 to a direct land purchase and another $50,000 to land- owner outreach and education within the watershed. The documentary is focused on exploring how the partnership was established, its current challenges and opportunities, and plans for the future. The documentary will be used to raise awareness of source water conservation using ecosystem service markets, with water professionals, legislators and key decision makers across the state and the U.S. South participating through the Keeping Forests network. The documen- taryisslatedtobereleasedthisfall.
MATT HESTAD IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE GEORGIA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION.
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