Strategy for the Future

It is no secret that environmental protection in Georgia, especially rural Georgia, is a complex issue. Our coast’s rural communities are full of wildlife and history, vast landscapes and peaceful settings—but they are also complicated places where residents struggle with poverty, gentrification, and the lasting impacts of polluting industries.

Added to this complexity is the idea held by many of our decision makers and community leaders that conservation and economic development are at odds with each other. This perceived competition must be addressed head-on if we are to achieve the goal of protecting our coast. Through the years, OHM has been successful in part because we highlight the connections between economic development and conservation. We fight for decisions that will both help our economy and protect our environment. We recognize past mistakes made in our communities that have excluded and harmed our neighbors. Finally, we work across the political spectrum with everyone who loves our coast to do better.

Over the past year, OHM staff and board have embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process that builds on our foundation of success while setting the stage for even more significant impacts to come. We worked to measure the progress we have made over our first 10 years and evaluated what is needed to accomplish more in the future. Together, we have crafted a new strategic plan that is bold, pragmatic, and reflective of the values of OHM and the people and communities we serve.

OHM is the organization we are today because of our practice of observing and listening to people in communities, learning the facts about the potential impact of proposals, and hiring a team of employees who are dedicated to building relationships and furthering their understanding of the truth. As we close the chapter on the start-up phase of our organization, our 2025-29 strategic plan sets the stage for the further amplification of voices across our communities. As always, we will rely heavily on our educational programs to improve the understanding of our coastal environment and connect community members into the systems and processes where decisions are made that affect their quality of life.

I’m sure you are aware that there is a lot of angst in the environmental sector lately. We know that at the federal level, changes are occurring that will impact Georgia’s coast and special places across our nation. But here in our local communities, a shared love for our coast and a commitment to its protection are non-partisan. The best weapon to combat any potential threat—whether it be federal policy change, bad development proposals, or climate change—is us. All of us working together is the key to protecting Georgia’s coast.

I encourage you to take a minute to peruse our new strategic plan. I hope it inspires you and gives you confidence that we have what it takes to protect Georgia’s extraordinary coast far into the future. I look forward to updating you about the progress we are making towards each of our goals.

Thank you for supporting us through the years. And thank you in advance for supporting us as we enter this transformative new stage of our organization.