ATLANTA—The Georgia Conservancy has announced the selection of Clay Mobley as its coastal director. Mobley, a Savannah native, will lead the Conservancy’s coastal operations from its office in Savannah.

“The Georgia Conservancy is dedicated to the protection of the Georgia coast.  But we know that no one loves the Georgia coast more than the people who live there,” said Pierre Howard, president of the Georgia Conservancy. “We are proud to have Clay Mobley, who grew up in Savannah, leading our coastal effort. As a zoologist and advocate for ocean protection, Clay is ideally suited to the task.  He wants to preserve the natural assets of our beautiful coast for his children and grandchildren.”

The Conservancy has been a presence in Savannah for more than 40 years as an advocate for the protection of the Georgia coast. It has focused on the preservation of the barrier islands, and the conservation and stewardship of coastal lands and resources. Among the Conservancy’s current coastal priorities are the adoption of a conservation plan for Jekyll Island, the proposed deepening of the Savannah Harbor, and the transfer of retained rights of former landowners on Cumberland Island to the U.S. Park Service.

The Conservancy also has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Association of County Commissioners Georgia to create detailed maps that show the location of globally imperiled species and habitats in the 11 coastal counties. The maps have been made available to county and city planning agencies to help guide development away from biologically sensitive areas.

“My love for the Georgia coast is tied into my best memories,” Mobley said.  “Growing up, I explored its marshes and rivers with my parents and brother. Now, as a husband and father of two, I share the beauty of our barrier islands and estuaries with our children. It is the new experiences that drive my passion for conserving our coast so that it is pristine for generations to come.”

Mobley previously served as the executive director of the Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, a nonprofit organization that promotes the conservation of marine resources, for almost six years. In that capacity, Mobley managed the group’s advocacy, communications and fundraising operations, developed 11 Georgia chapters and coordinated 150 volunteers around the state.

A Savannah native, Mobley and his family live in the area and volunteer with several coastal community groups, including the Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy, Savannah Ocean Exchange and the organic farm program at Bethesda Academy Gardens. Mobley is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Savannah.

“As Georgians, we need to treasure our coast and preserve its integrity. It’s reassuring that the Georgia Conservancy recognizes that and devotes significant resources to the area. Clay is a welcome addition to that effort,” said Lee Hughes, former Georgia Conservancy trustee.