Lumpkin Coalition is a diverse group of wonderful folks — young and not-so-young, working and retired, Georgia natives and transplants from all over the country — united by a common commitment to preserving and enhancing the special quality of life here in north Georgia. Many of our members share an intense interest in nature and outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, camping and backpacking, swimming and fishing, canoeing and kayaking, climbing and caving. We have students and teachers, artists and musicians, computer gurus and conservationists, writers and photographers, engineers and organic farmers; you name it and we probably have one of them volunteering!
We are all volunteers, so 100% of the work we do and the funds we raise, go toward our mission-based projects.
The Contact Us page has information to put you in touch with a number of people who can tell you how to attend one of our meetings, or answer any questions you may have about the Lumpkin Coalition and its activities.
Our Team
The Lumpkin Coalition is a 100% nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization. For this reason our team is run by a cooperative effort between our hardworking volunteers and our gracious sponsors. The work we do and the funds we raise go toward our mission-based projects.
Lumpkin Coalition Mission Statement
The Lumpkin Coalition is a 100% volunteer non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization formed to facilitate projects that benefit North Georgia, Lumpkin County, its residents and visitors. We are dedicated to preserving quality of life for all those who share it. To this end, we support the preservation of a clean and healthy environment, responsible living, and responsible growth.
Lumpkin Coalition
3865 Dawsonville Highway
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
“I want to thank you and the rest of the Lumpkin Coalition, and all of the folks who participated in Hemlockfest this year. Without your help, our lab would soon run out of funds to operate. Hopefully we will make a difference in the survival of the Hemlocks in the southern Appalachians. I am in your debt.”
Paul T. Arnold Director, Predatory Beetle Lab – Young Harris College
Documentation
Articles of Incorporation
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Incorporation
501c3 Status with IRS
Clarifying Comments & Narrative
Bylaws
Conflict of Interest Policy
Why You Should Care
Hemlock stands keep streams cool enough for the fish (particularly trout) to live, and the trees help keep stream banks stable, preventing erosion. The hemlock also provides food and shelter for wild animals and birds, a source that will be gone if we can’t stop the HWA.
Other Lumpkin Coalition Initiatives
River Cleanup
The Lumpkin Coalition, in partnership with Georgia Rivers Alive, conducts annual river cleanup events on the Etowah and Chestatee rivers in Lumpkin County. This campaign has been hugely successful, with 100s of participants and collecting tons of trash. The cleanup is typically held each fall.
Restoration of the American Chestnut
Since 2016, HemlockFest also supports local efforts to bring back a mighty giant of the Appalachian forest – the American Chestnut tree. A century ago these trees were the dominant hardwood tree here, but were almost completely wiped out by an invasive fungal blight. The American Chestnut Foundation has made progress in developing a blight-resistant tree, and reintroduction is beginning.
Learn more about American Chestnut efforts by visiting https://www.acf.org/ga/.
Logan Turnpike Trail Maintenance
The Logan Turnpike trail is located in the the Raven Cliffs Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. It connects with the Appalachian Trail at Tesnatee Gap, mile 37.4 from Springer Mountain. The trail follows a portion of the route of a historic wagon road between Cleveland and Blairsville, originally known as the Union Turnpike. The Lumpkin Coalition is the lead volunteer group for maintenance of the trail, in partnership with the US Forest Service.
Quick Facts
- Established in 2005 as a non-partisan, issue-based organization to
facilitate projects that benefit north Georgia, Lumpkin County, and its
residents. - Registered as non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization in 2006
- Held first HemlockFest in 2005 and every year since
- Helped raise over $100,000 for the Hemlock cause so far, including:
- Direct contribution of $10,000 to UGA in 2005
- Direct contribution of $10,000 to UGA in 2006
- Direct contribution of $5,000 to UGA, $5,000 to Young Harris, and $6,000 to
NGCSU in 2007 - Contribution of $37,000 through Forest Watch to UGA in 2007
- Direct contribution of $5,000 to Young Harris and $5,000 to NGCSU in 2008
- Direct contribution of $5,000 to YHC and $9,000 to NGCSU in 2009.
- Direct contribution of $5000 to NGCSU, and $5000 to YCH in 2010.
- The direct contribution of $25,000 and $34,000 donation via Forest Watch
were matched by a Turner Grant Foundation, doubling their value
($124,000) to UGA! - Other private donations made directly to the labs as a result of LC
activities/promotional materials
Affiliate Programs
Atlanta Audubon Society–
Dahlonega Jaycees —
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club —
Georgia Forest Watch–
Georgia Trout Unlimited —
Medicine Bow —
Sierra Club, Georgia Chapter —
Stop I-3 Coalition —
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
Yahoola Trails Conservancy —
Other Georgia/Southeast Links
Chattahoochee and Oconee National
Forests –
Dogwood Alliance
Fernbank Science Center
Georgia Botanical Society –
The Georgia Conservancy –
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Georgia Environmental Action Network
Georgia Forestry Commission
The Georgia Museum of Natural History
Georgia River Network –
Georgia Wildlife Federation
Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
Southern Appalachian Man and the
Biosphere
Southern Environmental Law Center
