RABUN GAP, Ga. — Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School has entered into a long-term partnership with Naturion to restore and permanently protect a tract of school-owned land southwest of its central campus.
The ecological initiative will revive underused pasture and wetlands off School Farm and Indian Lake roads, restoring the property to its natural state and placing it under a perpetual conservation easement. School officials said the designation ensures the land will never be sold or developed, preserving a natural buffer around campus and maintaining the rural character of the area.
“For two years, the Board of Trustees and staff have explored land mitigation as a way to best steward our land and ensure the mission of the school,” Head of School Jeff Miles said. “This collaboration with Naturion is a win-win that enables us to restore the natural beauty and health of our watershed while protecting the school’s borders from development forever.”
Miles said the partnership allows the school to retain ownership and stewardship of the property while generating additional resources to reinvest in scholarships and preservation of its historic facilities and residential campus.
Naturion will oversee a multi-year restoration process that includes stabilizing stream banks and planting native vegetation to improve water quality and biodiversity.
In addition to environmental benefits, the site will serve as an outdoor classroom for students. School officials said native plantings and stream restoration features will provide hands-on learning opportunities in biology, ecology and land conservation.
“The opportunities that this project creates for our students to interact with nature while further exploring important curricular concepts result in powerful learning and connect today’s students with those throughout our school’s history,” Miles said.
Community members may see subcontractors on-site in the coming weeks as preliminary work begins.
