Georgia Water Coalition

resources, which are essential for sustaining economic prosperity, providing clean and abundant drinking water, preserving diverse aquatic habitats for wildlife and recreation, strengthening property values, and protecting the quality of life for current and future generations.

The Georgia Water Coalition was formed in 2002 in response to an initiative to privatize water in Georgia. The Georgia Wildlife Federation was a founding member along with Southern Environmental Law Center, Georgia Conservancy, and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. The Coalition grew and quickly became statewide advocates for Georgia’s water resources. GWC’s first major success came in 2003 with the defeat of legislation which would have allowed for water permit trading and privatization of our state water resources. Twenty years later, the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) is an even more formidable voice for Georgia’s water with over 250 member organizations from around the state and the southeast.

Today, Georgia Wildlife Federation is proud to still have a major role within the Georgia Water Coalition. GWF continues to serve on the Leadership Team, co-chairs one of the GWC’s legislative priority committees, hosts partner meeting and Leadership retreats, and provides a dedicated staff member, Emma Alligood, to serve as the Director of Operations.

Every two years, the GWC members vote to select the next legislative priority issues. These issues can be nominated by the Leadership Team or other members, but they must be in the latest Biennial Report, the GWC's foundational policy document. The priorities for the next legislative session are protecting the Okefenokee Swamp, PFAS transparency, and data center transparency.

Capitol Conservation Day is an annual opportunity for all Georgians to gather at the Capitol to tell our state representatives and senators that we value water for our families, economy, health, and future generations.

Georgia Water Coalition hosts two membership meetings each year with many of them hosted by Georgia Wildlife Federation. This is a time for old friends to catch up and to meet new faces while hearing the latest updates on water policy in Georgia.