SouthWings’ work directly benefits conservation non-profits, from grassroots groups to national organizations; elected officials/policy makers; and members of the media. The tools we provide these partners increase their understanding of the environmental challenges facing the Southeast and strengthen their campaigns, resulting in a much greater chance of success.
Photo courtesy of Chris Irwin, United Mountain Defense
SouthWings takes people up in the air to see environmental challenges in a way no one bound to the Earth can. We craft flight experiences that give passengers the inspiration and evidence they need to take action to protect and restore the communities and ecosystems of the Southeast. Without exception, the flight experience and the powerful stories we bring back to Earth draw reactions, open eyes, and lead our partners to creative conservation solutions.
SouthWings enters campaigns at different junctures and will continue to consider any new issue area or campaign carefully to ensure that it will further our mission and that our specialized niche will bring value to the campaign. For expanded campaign or issue work, we will tap recognized experts, advocates, researchers and professional conservationists to educate ourselves. We will not attempt to become “issue experts” ourselves.
We will look at the interconnectedness of these issue areas, find ways to “work smart” and employ criteria for evaluating new emergencies as they arise to determine SouthWings’ specific role. We will continue to be an educational organization and will advocate certain positions on a case-by-case basis, based on sound science, our mission and fit with our focus areas.
Our current priorities for choosing flight partners include the following areas of environmental concern to the Southeast:
Mountaintop removal (MTR), surface mining, coal ash/coal slurry, coal facilities and expansions, hydraulic fracking, and clean energy alternatives such as wind and solar.
Public lands protection and acquisition, protection from biofuel threats, cypress ecosystem protection, and the areas threatened by Corridor K in NC and TN.
Gulf oil industry and the Nature Coast, Gulf Monitoring Consortium/Emergency Response (SouthWings, SkyTruth, Waterkeeper Alliance), Gulf Future Campaign (Gulf Restoration Network and affiliated organizations), coastal climate adaptation, and Atlantic offshore oil drilling.
Watershed protection, Riverkeeper and other monitoring flights, and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
Sprawl/development, environmental justice, and transportation.