Snapfinger Creek Nature Preserve Acquisition

ATLANTA (October 01, 2023) – Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), a non-profit which acquires and stewards land for conservation, recreation, and community, is proud to announce the acquisition of 155-acre Snapfinger Creek Nature Preserve in DeKalb County, Georgia. It’s southern boundary is contiguous to I-20 west just outside of I-285. SE Trust will perpetually protect and care for this important green space. It will always be natural land that is available for public use for the quiet enjoyment of nature. It is bisected by Snapfinger Creek and has multiple wetland areas.

This site was a golf course known initially as Snapfinger Woods Golf Course and later Atlanta International Golf and Country Club. It operated from 1972 until 2005. In 2008 the site was activated as a mitigation bank. The objective of this process which was undertaken under the supervision of the US Army Corps of Engineers is ecological improvement from an impaired site to a functioning aquatic ecosystem. The restoration plan provided for greater tree species diversity, which will support increased use by a larger array of native fauna, thus increasing biological diversity at the site. Permanent protection of the restoration property was enacted by a perpetual Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions executed with the deed of record for the property. Pedestrian access for inspection, research and passive recreation will be allowed but limited to usage compatible with the provisions of the deed restriction and with a strong bias towards protecting the environmental values of the property. No future development or land use is permitted, which would conflict with the conservation functions and values of this property.

SE Trust’s Director of Conservation Keith Ray notes “This place is truly a gem, where our expertise in native habitat improvements will help with local ecosystem functions. It will make this a place of enjoyment, for the neighbors and the wildlife.”

“Acquiring, conserving, and perpetually stewarding this property is a shining example of SE Trust’s mission of Conservation, Recreation, and Community. It’s size and location in a heavily developed area of DeKalb County, Georgia adds to our excitement over acquiring it.” SE Trust’s Board of Directors President Will Tate

About Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land
Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust) formed in 2012 with the mission of acquiring and developing land for the benefits for conservation, recreation, and community. Since then, the non-profit has acquired and activated thousands of acres of land across dozens of properties in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. It’s volunteer board of directors and staff create public parks and undertake environmental stewardship projects to provide the benefits of scenic open space, free public recreation, wildlife habitat, forest restoration, and storm water mitigation. In 2023 SE Trust planted 200,000 longleaf pine seedlings on its protected lands. For more information, visit: www.stpal.org.