Georgia’s population is growing and will reach nearly 11 million by 2015. Statewide, over 106 acres are lost each day to development-55 acres per day in Atlanta alone. By 2015, only two years beyond the horizon of this SCORP, 12 counties are projected to experience growth in excess of 75%.

As Georgia becomes more urbanized, sustaining a connection to our natural resources becomes extremely challenging. Parks and nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities provide critically important connections to our natural world and help to advance an effective conservation ethic.

Georgia is facing an obesity epidemic. At a time when obesity rates among adults and children are skyrocketing, the important role of physical activity and access to outdoor recreation resources cannot be underestimated.