We often take for granted what we depend on for the quality of life that we want to have.  Every day, I open the blinds and look at a lovely expanse of marshes. I always expect it to look beautiful and healthy. I take for granted that it will always be able to fulfill its job of acting as a natural filter for our waterways.

Water is something we also take for granted. You turn on the kitchen faucet for a drink, water flows into your glass. What would you think if one day you turned the faucet on and no water came out? Or what if water came out, but it was brown and dirty? In many parts of the world, water is a critical issue. Do not be mistaken: Our days here of taking water for granted are winding down.  The quality and accessibility of water as well as the protection of our wetlands and marshes are issues that should concern all who live in Coastal Georgia. Dealing with these issues is critical to the future.

You are invited to a Progress Through People luncheon June 21 to discuss the future of water in Coastal Georgia. These luncheons are provided each month by the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. They are a great way to learn about issues affecting Liberty County. This month, Keep Liberty Beautiful is sponsoring the luncheon at noon in the CenturyLink 50 x 50 Building on Patriots Trail.

Our speaker for the event is Clay Mobley, the coastal director for the nonprofit Georgia Conservancy. The conservancy is a member-supported environmental organization. The mission of the conservancy is to protect Georgia’s natural resources for present and future generations by advocating sound environmental policies, advancing sustainable growth practices and facilitating common-ground solutions to environmental challenges. Called “the state’s most influential environmental organization” by Georgia Trend magazine, the Georgia Conservancy focuses on environmental advocacy, land conservation, coastal protection, growth management and water quality and supply.

Mobley leads the coastal operations for the conservancy from its Savannah office. He is a 1987 graduate of Benedictine Military School in Savannah and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1992, majoring in zoology. Before starting with the conservancy in 2011, he was executive director for the Coastal Conservation Association Georgia for five years following a career as an investment advisor for more than a decade.  

Mobley’s topic will be, “The Georgia Conservancy Coastal Program: Striving for common-ground solutions to today’s environmental challenges.” The conservancy’s vision is “a Georgia where people and the environment thrive.”
 
Luncheon tickets are $15 each  for chamber members and $20 for others. To make a reservation, call the chamber at 368-4445 or email to ryan@libertycounty.org.

I hope you will be able to join us. We can’t take our natural resources for granted.

Upcoming KLB events

Win-dex Awards — Nominations for this quarter’s Win-dex Business Recognition Awards are being accepted through June 30.  This quarterly awards program is our way of recognizing attractive businesses in our community.  Nomination forms are available by calling 880-4888 or 368-4445 or emailing klcb@coastalnow.net  or ryan@libertycounty.org.