Submitted by The Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia
The Board of Directors of the Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia (MCT) has named Bill Sapp as its new executive director. He will lead fundraising, community engagement, land conservation, and all activities related to our mission.
Although Sapp traces his roots to Georgia, he grew up in a small lumbering town in the Adirondack Mountains. The Adirondacks nurtured his love of nature. He brought this passion for the outdoors to Georgia over 30 years ago and has been working tirelessly to protect the state’s natural resources ever since.
“I grew up in a mountain town much like those in the north Georgia mountains surrounded by a lush environment that looks and feels remarkably similar to the mountains here,” said Sapp. “I can’t wait to work with the property owners and communities of this region to preserve the special nature of the area for future generations.”
His background as an environmental attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, combined with his success in protecting and preserving wetlands and at-risk land throughout Georgia, prepares him well to lead MCT.
The mission of MCT, currently in its 34th year of conservation work, is to permanently conserve the natural resources and scenic beauty of the foothills and mountains of north Georgia.
At SELC, Sapp’s biggest accomplishment was to form and lead the Okefenokee Protection Alliance in its fight against the Twin Pines mine. This coalition comprises over 52 local, state, and national organizations, with a combined membership of more than 5 million individuals. After six years of battling the mine, the Alliance was able to lay the groundwork for a conservation buyout by The Conservation Fund. Sapp hopes to bring the same collaborative spirit to his land trust work in the north Georgia mountains.
He is deeply committed to fostering partnerships with local stakeholders and advancing innovative conservation strategies. His vision includes expanding educational outreach, enhancing stewardship programs, and building lasting relationships with organizations throughout the region to ensure the long-term protection of north Georgia’s landscapes.
Bill is deeply committed to fostering partnerships with local stakeholders and advancing innovative conservation strategies. His vision includes expanding educational outreach, enhancing stewardship programs, and building lasting relationships with organizations throughout the region to ensure the long-term protection of north Georgia’s landscapes.
“We are very pleased to welcome Bill as our new executive director,” said Jim Kaminer, the MCT board chair. “He brings passion, energy, and excellent interpersonal skills to the position. These qualities, together with his unique work experience, will make Bill a valuable asset for MCT. The Board feels very fortunate to have Bill as our new leader.”
Some of Sapp’s other experiences include positions at the EPA, Region IV, Alston & Bird, the U.S. District Court in Savannah, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Sapp attended St. Lawrence University and then went on to earn a law degree at Harvard Law School.
