George Sanford McGee grew up in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee near Savage Gulf/Stone Door wilderness areas.
From an early age exploring these wild places and the headwaters of scenic Collins River, he has been an outspoken advocate for conservation. After pursuing a B.S. in biology, he was a naturalist with Tennessee State Parks and afterwards followed his dream of teaching. The headwaters of the Duck River in Manchester, Tennessee was where he taught biology for many years. The River and its watershed served as a living laboratory for his students. In the mid-1980’s he founded “Terra Treks”, an international eco-trekking company with bases in New Mexico, Tennessee and the French Alps.
George is the co-founder of the South Cumberland Regional Land Trust (SCRLT.ORG) and serves on its board. McGee is a founding board member of The Mack S Prichard Foundation. These two organizations continue to promote conservation education in Tennessee. He currently lives at Jump Off Community Land Trust near Sewanee, Tennessee building his off-grid solar home on land protected by conservation easement while focusing on his nature-based art (www.mcgeestudio.com).
