Sustainable Development
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant engage Georgians in environmental stewardship and sustainable land use practices while simultaneously encouraging sustainable environmental and economic development.
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provide guidance on practices to protect water quality, reduce runoff, recharge groundwater supplies and reduce pollutants from human activities are offered.
Weather-related hazards such as flooding, hurricanes and storm surge present constant challenges in coastal Georgia. Our hazards program partners with national, state and local agencies to identify specific coastal community hazard needs and provide local governments with technical expertise, data and tools to guide in hazard preparedness.
Recognizing the importance of local planning to encourage sustainable environmental and economic development, our planning program provides technical assistance to local planners, managers and elected officials to strengthen local comprehensive plans and outreach to community stakeholders.
Cities and counties along the Georgia coast have worked closely with UGA staff to adopt plans that include incentives for stormwater management, water conservation, quality growth, sustainable land use and climate adaptation.
Here are a few examples of our sustainable development initiatives:
Altama Community Transformation (ACT) District Corridor Plan
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provided sustainable land use planning, tools and design technical assistance for a Brunswick-Glynn County UGA Archway Partnership Project, the Altama Community Transformation (ACT) District Corridor Plan (Phase 1).
This plan was fueled by future population growth prospects, expansions of nearby hospitals, colleges and schools, and business and property owner interest for a thriving community. This project helped unite multiple agencies and organizations in the 1,600-acre region of Brunswick. Utilizing research and analysis, public input and stakeholder engagement, design and implementation, plans were created for Phase I, the Altama Avenue Corridor.
Initiated in 2011, the final report was adopted by the UGA Brunswick-Glynn County Archway Partnership Executive Committee and Growth Task Force in 2012.
Jekyll Island Authority Master Plan Revision
Part of the Georgia State park system, Jekyll Island is managed by the Jekyll Island-State Park Authority (JIA). Open for public use, this coastal barrier island has limited commercial and residential development due to its intended ecosystem preservation. Managing this balance is a Master Plan.
Since 2012, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant have provided natural resource protection and sustainable land use planning technical assistance for the JIA Master Plan. Marine Extension staff serve on the 65/35 Land Development and Environmental Planning Task Force that is reviewing all environmental planning elements of the Master Plan revision, including integration of the existing JIA Conservation Plan.
Charged with reviewing current development definitions, best planning practices and development map, staff make recommendations for creating the most accurate land-use map based on current best planning practices. Developed and affirmed information is presented in a public forum and to the JIA Master Plan Steering Committee.
Once finalized, the updated JIA Master Plan is intended to provide clear and consistent guidelines on future Jekyll Island sustainable development and natural resources management.