Conservation Efforts
Our Nature Screensaver
Celebrate environmental stewardship with a free screensaver that includes 12 beautiful photographs of wildlife and habitat.
Mother nature has given us a lot. Common sense says, let's return the favor. At Southern Company, we're improving wildlife habitats and biodiversity by enhancing company-controlled land, transmission rights of way, and other areas in partnership with owners, stewards, and various conservation groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Our efforts are anchored by three major programs, Power of Flight, Longleaf Legacy, and Five Star Restoration, all in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Southern Company has committed $10.5 million through 2013 to undertake conservation and biodiversity projects through these three programs. With matching funds from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and project grantees, more than $33 million will go toward conservation in the Southeast. Through 2007, 93 grants were awarded and are in action.
Trees - We've planted more than 4.6 million trees on 7,180 acres of corporate land since 2000 and 2.4 million trees on more than 4,850 acres of public and private land through the Longleaf Legacy program.
Forests - We manage more than 222,000 acres of forest land.
Parks - We manage 50,680 acres as state parks and wildlife management areas for public hunting and wildlife viewing in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Recreation - We manage more than 195,000 acres of public lakes that feed hydroelectric facilities, help ensure water supply, and provide recreational areas.
Wetlands - We've started a program to create and enhance a Georgia wetlands bank.
Rights of Way - We manage more than 300,000 acres of rights of way.
Additionally, our support of Wildlife Incentive Non-Game Subsidy in Georgia has fostered the conversion of more than 15,000 acres; and Wild Power in Alabama has converted more than 1,500 acres to support wildlife.
Our land management and partnership activities contribute to many conservation efforts, including:
- North American Wetlands Conservation Act
- North American Waterfowl Management Plans
- State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plans
- Georgia's Forestry for Wildlife Program
- Wildlife Habitat Council's certification program
- The Nature Conservancy's Heritage Program
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife's Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Recovery Plan
- Quail Unlimited's Northern Bobwhite Quail Initiative
- National Wild Turkey Federation's Energy for Wildlife program