Atlanta Protects Trees

Saving the Hemlocks was her passion and inspirational for all of us. A beautiful spirit and job well done.

The forests of southern Appalachia have lost a true champion. Environmentalist, community leader, educator and founder of Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, Donna Shearer passed away on June 16, 2024, after bravely battling a long illness.
In the early 2000’s, Donna discovered that the hemlocks surrounding the log cabin she shared with her husband Mark were infested by an invasive insect, the hemlock wooly adelgid, which threatened to kill the trees and destroy their shady, streamside sanctuary. Rather than accept the conventional wisdom of the time, that nothing could be done, Donna began researching and discovered the trees, in reality, could be treated and saved. The successful results motivated Donna to share the benefit of her knowledge and experience with others.
In 2009, she and a small group of kindred spirits formed the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Save Georgia’s Hemlocks. She created and ran the Hemlock Help Line, fielding calls 7 days a week with a kind and welcoming voice to provide one-on-one information for the care and treatment of hemlocks. This accessible and responsive communication channel not only provided valuable assistance to those seeking guidance, but also strengthened a sense of belonging within the community. With unparalleled dedication, she developed a comprehensive facilitator training course (including a 600 page guide covering everything from hemlock anatomy to chemical composition) for DIY treatment. The trained facilitators, in turn, educated friends and neighbors about the plight of hemlocks to become volunteers for treatment and restoration. She also developed an educational initiative for grade school students and taught the hemlock message emphasizing ecosystem interdependencies along with the importance of environmental stewardship.
Furthering the initiative for DIY assistance, Donna established and meticulously tended a robust, research-based website. This online resource serves as a valuable repository of information, enabling individuals to educate themselves about hemlock conservation and take meaningful actions. These efforts have equipped volunteers to treat tens of thousands of hemlocks on privately owned property. With her leadership, SGH created a hemlock sapling program where volunteers nurture and grow hemlock saplings in private nurseries. These saplings are later adopted or donated for tree planting projects.
Donna worked tirelessly to establish partnerships with publicly managed land agencies such as the US Forest Service, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and agencies in neighboring states. Through these collaborations, Save Georgia's Hemlocks’ successful treatments on public land, have contributed significantly to the preservation of hemlocks throughout southern Appalachia.
While all of these accomplishments are impressive, Donna never once took a paycheck. Furthermore, throughout her tenure, the entire organization was a 100% volunteer effort. In 2012, Donna was honored for her exceptional leadership in conservation by receiving the Cox Conserves award, which carried a $10,000 award. She, of course, immediately granted SGH the funds for use to continue to increase educational and charitable service outreach.
In 2023, the Donna Shearer Endowed Scholarship was created to be awarded to University of North Georgia rising juniors who demonstrate interest in forestry, environmental sciences specifically dealing with forestry ecosystems, or conservation. These recipients should be guided by the example of Donna Shearer in her years of dedicated service in saving Georgia’s hemlocks.
Donna Shearer has left an indelible impact on everyone involved in her cause. Her motivating presence, humor, empathy and leadership have served as the driving forces behind the success of Save Georgia's Hemlocks. Likewise, her passion and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on Georgia's hemlock ecosystem. Donna Shearer’s greatest legacies are the healthy and thriving hemlocks found throughout our forests.
Her family invites all who knew her to join in celebrating her life at Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home in Dahlonega, Georgia, on June 30, 2024, at 3:00 PM. Visitation will precede the service from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Save Georgia's Hemlocks, Lumpkin County Animal Shelter, or Habitat for Humanity, reflecting Donna's enduring commitment to making the world a better place for all. www.andersonunderwood.com/obituary/donna-shearer

“Normally when I’m asked to watch the latest environmental documentary, I admit to being susceptible to that mild sense of dread we all get when we’re about to be presented with the problems of the world further solidified before our eyes. But Common Ground Film is anything but bleak. To the contrary, it offers desperately needed hope…” - Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/common-ground-testament-power-film-change-hearts-and-minds