Community Partner Spotlight: Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and CVB (Georgia’s Blue Ridge)

Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and CVB is the Destination Marketing Organization for Fannin County, known as Georgia’s Blue Ridge. This beautiful area is a popular visitor destination in the North Georgia Mountains. Around 2020, as a result of COVID-19 and increased visitation to the area, they joined the Leave No Trace Community Partnerships program. The trails and outdoor natural resources were being damaged, and the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and CVB started looking for ways to educate locals and visitors to prevent more damage. 

We recently spoke to Christie Gribble about their accomplishments and how their Leave No Trace partnership helps support their community. 

What problem is your organization solving, and where are you based?

Our organization is working toward preserving the beauty and natural resources that are harmed by overdevelopment and tourism. We are a rural mountain county on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, at the start of the Appalachian Trail.

How are you promoting or incorporating Leave No Trace into your work? 

We use the information in ads, on billboards and on our website, which reaches over a million visitors and locals annually. We reference the Leave No Trace principles and information in a publication that goes out six times a year and distributed to over 60,000 people annually. We also offer free drawstring bags to visitors with information about Leave No Trace. Since 2020, we have given out thousands of drawstring bags to visitors with information about Leave No Trace with an emphasis on “Pack It In, Pack It Out

What tips would you like to share with other Community Partners for incorporating Leave No Trace into their work or programming? 

The training and resources add to our organization’s toolbox, and we benefit from Leave No Trace’s international reputation. It’s a great framework for starting a stewardship effort and a trusted source and community. 

What are some of the biggest accomplishments your organization has achieved? 

Our Lights Off, Fireflies On! campaign started last year and has evolved into a community effort around planting milkweed. We distribute postcards and magnets to short-term cabin rentals and visitors, along with public service announcements on the radio. Everyone can play a role in protecting our fireflies, starting with turning your lights off at night and planting wildflowers, such as milkweed, in backyards. Local middle and high school students grew over 600 milkweed plants to give to the public. We also provided native milkweed seeds for the entire community. 

What do you value most about your partnership with Leave No Trace?

It is a great framework and a trusted source with a far-reaching reputation for protecting natural areas. 

Click here to learn more about joining as a Leave No Trace Community Partner. Already a partner and want to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight? Send an email to Community Engagement Manager, Faith Overall, at [email protected].