New programs aimed at youth and business involvement
BLUE RIDGE, GEORGIA—MAY 2025—Becky Griffin loves to empower others when it comes to environmental issues. She works as the Community and School Garden Coordinator for the northwest district of the Georgia Center for Urban Agriculture at the University of Georgia.
Griffin had a great idea. It concerned fireflies, those illuminating insects we grew up with and loved. Fireflies could use a helping hand these days as light pollution and urban development threatens their habitats.
“The North Georgia Mountains may have around 50 species of fireflies, give or take,” Griffin said. “In fact, Georgia is one of the most for diversity.”
At a recent conference on natural resources, Griffin met Christie Gribble, president and CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB. She immediately found a comrade.
“Christie has a head for conservation and grew up in this area,” Griffin said. “It went ballistic after that.”
In 2023, the two initiated a plan. Griffin met with area schoolteachers, primarily in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Future Farmers of America (FFA) and agriculture. They developed lessons plans that focused on two primary goals: firefly education—the insect’s biology, why they illuminate, etc.—and conservation efforts to assist fireflies, such as how to build and maintain habitats. They developed the “Lights Off, Fireflies On!” campaign to eliminate light pollution that hinders fireflies from lighting up and mating with each other.
“Students have learned about the lifecycle of fireflies, how they communicate with pattern recognition and how we can help to create a better habitat to protect them,” said Tori L. Arp, STEM Educator at Blue Ridge Elementary School. “With Becky’s help, students have stratified milkweed, watched it germinate and grow, then transplanted and raised the plants until they were able to give them away at our FREE Milkweed community event, in partnership with the Chamber. It warmed my heart to see my second graders telling our community members about how to help our local fireflies. We focused our Earth Day event this year on our firefly project, so students were able to participate in a myriad of firefly activities with their families.”
Staff members at Arp’s school also helped.
“Our gym teacher created a firefly flashlight tag game, our media specialist created a firefly read-a-loud station and our music teacher created a firefly beats lesson that helped students understand their patterns,” Arp said. “We reviewed the importance of leaving exterior lights off at night and protecting leaf litter.”
Future plans are to install gardens at East Fannin Elementary and Union County High School and to create a firefly habitat at one of the local parks to allow students “a sense of ownership in helping to create a solution to our problem,” Arp said.
“The dedication of our students and community to environmental stewardship is inspiring and necessary for preserving our precious natural resources,” said Gribble. “Through partnerships like these, we hope to instill a lifelong commitment to conservation and improving the quality of our local habitats.”
Conservation is important to Blue Ridge. On Earth Day, the Chamber launched its Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program at Mercier Orchards, an initiative that recognizes and rewards businesses that actively adopt eco-friendly practices, demonstrating a dedication to preserving the natural beauty and resources of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The program includes six categories and to participate businesses are asked to commit to one item in at least three categories, Gribble said. A site review is also required of the annual program and businesses are encouraged to share their work on social media and to network with other community businesses and organizations.
Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program members receive recognition from the Chamber, as well as a certificate, window cling and placement on the Chamber’s conservation webpage, displaying their commitment to conservation.
Blue Ridge’s Mercier Orchards is the first to join the C2C program. Mercier Director of Farm Operations, Ashley Hoppers, takes an ecosystem approach to the farm’s apples, its main crop, so applying those conservation methods to the whole environment was a natural, she said. Mercier plans a reduction in pesticides and the attachment of solar panels to reduce their electric bill by 50 percent.
Mercier customers will receive biodegradable bags made of plant-based materials and the installation of a water filtration system will eliminate the use of plastic water bottles. “Those are ways we’re trying to reduce our plastic waste,” Hoppers said.
Mercier Orchards has also received a grant for pollinator research. They will be planting and studying 40 different flowering species and grasses, fodder for North Georgia Mountain insects.
“Insects are the reason we have food,” Hoppers said.
Noontootla Creek Farms contains one of the premier trout streams in the Southeast—in Fannin County that’s known as the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia—and has been attracting fishermen and hunters to Blue Ridge for decades. The farm is run by the Owenby family, with its youngest member, Emily Owenby, focusing on the big picture.
“Everything we do on the farm revolves around conservation,” Owenby said.
Owenby has planted native trees between the creek and fields to keep the waters pure; cleaner water means more insects for the trout to feed on. Her “small but mighty” greenhouse is filled with native plants such as pawpaw trees and milkweed to create future riparian buffers between water sources and agriculture.
Because of her education in environmental science and business management, and her conservation work on the farm, Emily became a conservation consultant to the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and its C2C Program in 2024.
“It’s a real passion,” she said. “I want to implement conservation efforts with a business angle.”
Ways Visitors Can Participate
July 2 has been designated as Fannin County Firefly Day, where visitors and residents are encouraged to turn off outdoor lights and witness the firefly light display! Visitors can pop into any of the visitors centers to receive a fun firefly-themed gift. Visitor center locations are 282 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Suite A, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513; or, 53 East Market Street, McCaysville, Georgia 30555.
On any day, folks may enjoy the Lights Off, Fireflies On! Game. Travel around to five Blue Ridge parks to find the five secret words about fireflies and in the process, learn firefly facts. Once the game is completed, stop by one of the three Fannin County Chamber & CVB Visitor Centers for a prize. The game is also available on the VisitBlueRidgeGA! App.
Want more ways to get involved? Visit Mercier Orchards (8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, 706-632-3411) to enjoy a tractor tour of the expansive farm property, pick fruit in season or purchase any of the farm’s many products in their store. Don’t forget to try their delicious fried fruit pies!
At Noontootla Creek Farms (3668 Newport Road, Blue Ridge, 706-838-0585), enjoy the farm’s four quail fields, the two and a half miles of trophy trout streams and a sporting clays course that’s open to the public. You can also grab lunch at the newly opened restaurant, The Mill, on property.
Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company (416 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, 706-258-2473) sells everything one needs to attract birds to their home and gardens, from bird feeders and water fountains to a variety of bird seed. The store even offers guided bird walks.
Why Conservation Matters
The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce’s Commitment to Conservation (C2C) Program is dedicated to the following:
Preserving Biodiversity: Our region is home to unique flora and fauna. Protecting these species ensures a healthy ecosystem.
Sustainable Tourism: Promoting eco-friendly practices helps sustain our local economy and attract visitors who value nature.
Community Well-being: A clean and healthy environment contributes to the quality of life for all residents.