Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is a virtual treasure map of rare plant and animal species, marking the most important ecological areas for our entire state.
These hubs and corridors intentionally create a connected web of habitat across Georgia. As coastal development fragments our natural landscapes, protecting these connections is essential for both wildlife and the resilience of our communities.
Maps included in the SWAP clearly show what little natural land is left in Georgia. Laid out in tan and olive on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (GADNR) “Conservation Opportunity Area Viewer” map are fragile ribbons of natural habitat. These areas are surrounded by gaps created by development like holes in a beating heart.
Bordered by the Okefenokee hub and the White Oak Creek/Turtle River corridor, Brantley County is unique among South Georgia counties as it is completely encircled with conservation hubs and corridors. The Satilla/St. Mary’s hub weaves through Nahunta and Hoboken.
It’s in these undeveloped habitats where some of Georgia’s rarest flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) make their homes. The list includes the eastern indigo snake, purple honeycomb-head, Chapman’s Fringed orchid, and red-cockaded woodpecker.
These are just a few of the species with the SWAP-designated “Highest Conservation Concern” found right here in Brantley County (and some species, like the affectionately named hairy rattleweed, are found nowhere else in the world but in Brantley County’s intact pine flats).
You can see all 58 rare species which live in your backyard by going to georgiabiodiversity. org.
Brantley County is at risk of losing these unique habitat corridors if proactive planning does not happen right now. Hyper-scale data center developments threaten to upend Brantley County’s conservation areas.
These large-acre technology parks eat up land, as do the infrastructure build-out required to operate, like expanding electrical grid additions and natural gas pipeline extensions.
Brett Albanese, assistant chief of Wildlife Conservation for GA DNR, confirmed state and local regulators have not assessed how the rapid expansion of the data center industry affects SWAP hubs.
As the number one state for data centers in the country, Georgia is experiencing an accelerated state-wide habitat loss, preventable only if due diligence is done at the planning stage.
While SWAP’s purpose is to monitor and proactively prevent extinction of these species, local governments can use this invaluable information to identify opportunities for eco-tourism. For local example, DNR, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, selected portions along the Satilla watershed as a winner of their annual “Conserve Georgia” grants through the Outdoor Stewardship Program conserving these areas with plans to provide public access.
Just over the border, our southern neighbors in Florida have utilized their own SWAP to launch a visitors’ campaign for The Florida Wildlife Corridor — with a tagline promising “when you step into the Corridor, you’re in the real, wild Florida.”
Given that Brantley County is blessed with such rare, wild habitat, we have a similar opportunity. Best of all, it won’t take experimental human engineering or outside corporations to turn these green spaces into economic green, only thoughtful planning that pulls from existing expert-level research.
Prioritizing conservation provides a path toward cleaner water and clearer air preserving resources for residents rather than handing them over to outside industries.
How will data centers affect Brantley County’s wildlife hubs with the level of infrastructure build-out required to fuel this resource hungry industry?
This question, among many, has so far been unanswered by Brantley County Commissioners, who have remained tight-lipped since publicly announcing their intent to introduce a data center ordinance in January of this year.
The list of partners assisting the commission with understanding the data center industry notably lacks land-use experts. This summer, the commissioners toured the massive QTS tech campus, the data center infamous for stealing 30 million gallons of water from the city using on–site water hook-ups in Fayette County, Ga.
And, they created the county’s draft data center ordinance using Loretta Riggins Hylton, the Planning and Zoning Director for Tift County, as far back as November 2025.
Other than these snippets, the general public does not know who has been involved in the plans to bring data centers to Brantley County. Residents have repeatedly asked the commission to adopt a data center moratorium, a legal tool local governments can use to pause development applications, so safeguards through zoning regulations can be thoughtfully implemented with input from both experts and citizens.
Brantley County sits at the crossroads of two futures. One treats conservation as an obstacle to growth. The other recognizes that our open spaces, our rivers, forests, and wildlife, are economic assets worth protecting.
You can ask your commissioner about data center development and share your concerns and vision for Brantley County’s future at their monthly work sessions*. These are typically hosted the first Tuesday of the month, at the Brantley County Commission Office (33 Allen Road, Nahunta, behind the Dairy Queen).
Before decisions are made that could permanently alter Brantley County’s landscape, residents should urge county leaders to engage wildlife experts, conservation planners, and the GADNR in a transparent conversation about the county's future.
Because when it comes to protecting our irreplaceable species, habitat, and quality of life, there are no do-overs. We only get one chance, so let’s get it right.
*Note: To speak to the commission at the monthly work session, you must sign up no later than one week prior to the meeting date, either by email (bclerk@brantleycounty- ga.gov), or by phone at 912-462-5256.
Kat Montgomery, South Coast Advocate, One Hundred Miles.
Comments