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Atlanta Gets Down to Earth
On Friday, April 4th Earth Share of Georgia will host our 7th annual Party in the Park and Silent Spring Auction at Magnolia Hall in Piedmont Park, kicking off a month-long list of Earth Day activities. Environmental champions, corporate leaders and eco-minded citizens alike will gather at the state's largest Earth Day event to raise a glass for their Mother Earth. The event will feature music from the Non-essentials, light fare donated by Mick's and Pleasant Peasant, "Treehugger Pilsner" provided by Dogwood Brewing Company, wine from organically grown grapes compliments of Whole Foods Market, and organic coffee donated by Starbucks. Tickets are available by calling the Earth Share office at 404-873-3173 and at the door for $25 per person, or visit our website to RSVP. Sponsoring hosts of the Party include Bank of America, Business to Business Magazine, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot.

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Georgia Employees Blow Earth Share Fundraising Goals Out of the Air, Land & Water
To many Georgia employees, investing in our future is as simple as giving "green at work" by participating in their company's Earth Share payroll deduction campaign. This year companies like Kaiser Permanente, Worldspan and Primerica are blowing Earth Share's fundraising goals out of the proverbial water and raising thousands of dollars for the member agencies who work to protect it.

In their first year running an Earth Share fundraising campaign, Kaiser Permanente exceeded fundraising goals by more than 20 percent, raising $23,000 for our member groups. Supporting the environment was a natural choice for the health insurance providers. "We realize that protecting our environment means protecting our health and the health of our members," said President, Carolyn Kenny.

Worldspan added Earth Share as a choice alongside United Way in 1998 and has since raised nearly $150,000 to support environmental causes, $38,000 in this year alone. "Worldspan recognizes that a healthy environment is important, not just in the workplace, but to the community as a whole," commented Paul Blackney, president and chief executive officer for Worldspan. "Supporting Earth Share is another way Worldspan and its employees support the communities in which they live and work – through protecting our precious natural resources."

In addition to the growth of existing campaigns, Earth Share of Georgia added 12 new campaigns this year, reaching over 10,000 new employees at businesses including Hewlett-Packard, Agnes Scott College and AFC Enterprises (for a complete list, visit our website at www.earthsharega.org). Together with employees, Earth Share and its member agencies are creating a cleaner and greener Georgia.

Find out how easy it is to add Earth Share to your existing United Way campaign by calling 404-873-3173, or visit our website.

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New Alternatives for Eco-minded Energy Consumers in Georgia

'Green Energy'
After years of pressure from environmental groups and much anticipation on the part of eco-minded consumers, 'green energy' will finally be available to Georgia Power customers. The program, mandated by two-years-old state legislation, requires Georgia Power to feed renewable energy sources such as landfill gases, wind and solar power into the power supply grid. They will begin signing customers up this summer and a year from now they will be able to purchase blocks of 'green energy' at slightly higher prices; $6 per month for each 100 kilowatt block.

Earth Share member groups like Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and the Sierra Club have been long time advocates of the program. But there is concern among them that too much power is being supplied from landfill gases which Jen Giegerich from Georgia PIRG describes as "toxic soup."


Summertime "Power Credits"
And just in time for smog season, Georgia Power is introducing their "Power Credit" program designed to minimize the energy used by home air conditioning units. When you sign up GP will come to your home and install a switch that is connected to the air conditioner. When electricity demands peak in the summer, they will send a signal to reduce the length of time your air conditioner runs. You'll experience minimal temperature difference and receive power credits every time it is put to use. Customers who sign up now receive a $20 credit. The service is only available to single-family homes with ground level, outdoor air conditioner units. Call Georgia Power at 1-800-843-4916 to sign up.

Members of the Sierra Club have even more incentive to sign up. Beginning March 15th and ending the first day of smog season, May 15th, the Clean Energy Committee of the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club will be holding a contest for the club member who can get the most people to sign up for the Georgia Power "Power Credit" program. The winner will receive a $75 gift certificate to REI. To receive the form to get everyone you know signed up, contact Colleen Kiernan at 404-607-1262 x 229 or colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org.

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Work Party Scheduled at Temple-Inland Flatwoods Conservation Easement
On March 8, 2003, join Nature Conservancy Ecologist Malcolm Hodges for a volunteer work party in Floyd County at the Temple-Inland Flatwoods Conservation Easement site. Volunteers will assist with firebreak maintenance, trash pick up, erosion control and seed planting. If interested in volunteering for this event, contact Malcolm Hodges at 404/253-7211 or email mhodges@tnc.org.

Trail Work Parties at Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville
On Saturday April 5th Volunteers will join forces to work on erosion control on the Mathis Trail. No experience is needed, training is provided and there are jobs suited to all abilities. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Bring your lunch, water, gloves and raingear.

Adopt a Trail at Elachee
Individuals or groups can adopt a trail or section of a trail to maintain Year-round. Walk your trail at least four times a year, perform small maintenance tasks and communicate trail maintenance needs. Contact Cynthia Crotwell at 770-535-1976 or write preserve@elachee.org.

Atlanta Audubon Society seeks volunteers for various projects in the Douglasville and Emory area Opportunities include removing invasive plants, creating walking trails and performing general trail maintenance. Call Kim or Kenny Ragozzino at 404-635-9486 for details.

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One tree can absorb 6 to 8 decibels of noise.

Altamaha River Floodplain Tract for Sale to Conservation Buyer
Located in Wayne County, Ga., this 183-acre privately-owned tract is for sale to a buyer interested in conserving the land's natural ecology. The Nature Conservancy is working with the current landowner to sell the property to a buyer who is willing to place a conservation easement on the land.
The property contains beautiful swamp forests, including permanently flooded cypress-tupelo sloughs and occasionally flooded hardwood forests with a diverse mix of species. Large, beautiful hardwoods cover approximately 80 acres, while other portions of the property contain younger hardwood stands with scattered old trees. High-quality bluff forests are also found on the tract. The property is abundant with wildlife and excellent fishing opportunities. According to the owner, the land is rich with history and may contain a Native American site.
For more information about conservation easements or to visit the property, contact Alison McGee at The Nature Conservancy, 912/437-2161, ext. 230, or email amcgee@tnc.org .

For the Birds Birdhouse/Birdfeeder competion
Enhance your backyard habitat with a beautiful birdhouse while supporting National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the birds in your backyard! Handmade birdhouses are up for auction on eBay, with all proceeds benefiting NWF and the Backyard Wildlife Habitat(tm) program. Not only will you help songbirds find a home in your backyard; you will support NWF and the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, too! The auction starts today, so click here to see the birdhouses and place a bid!

One Used Printer Cartridge...One Simple Way to Dispose of It.
Starting in March, your used printer cartridges can earn support for the environment! Earth Share's new recycling partner GreenFund Network, will donate money to Earth Share for each returned cartridge. For more information, write info@earthshare.org or call 866.734.6548

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One tree taxes approximately 13 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year; equal to the emissions of one automobile driven an average of 6,000 miles

A Day's Pay for Earth Day
Earth Share of Georgia is partnering with businesses to encourage employees to donate their day's pay on Earth Day, April 22nd. Funds will support Earth Share of Georgia's 60 member groups to protect Georgia's environment and our quality of life - locally and globally. Ask your employer about hosting a Day's Pay campaign, then call Earth Share at 404.873.3173. Members include Trees Atlanta, The Nature Conservancy, Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, Trust for Public Land and others.

Green Day
On Saturday, April 26th, an all-volunteer morning is planned with teams of corporate volunteers to work on park clean-ups, trail maintenance, tree care and other outdoors projects. Participating teams from Worldspan, Turner Broadcasting, Millerzell, BellSouth Long Distance and Starbucks will work with Park Pride and Trees Atlanta throughout the metro area.

Borders Benefit Days
During the weeked of April 25-27. Borders will donate 15% of sales in metro-Atlanta area stores to Earth Share of Georgia, at no cost to the customer. The Borders Benefit Days will feature musical entertainment by recording artists Gerard McHugh and Paul Melancon. Customers must present a voucher for Earth Share to benefit from their purchase. Vouchers are available online at www.earthsharega.org, at Borders stores, in Creative Loafing, by contacting one of the Earth Share member organizations, and at various retail locations throughout Atlanta.

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One tree eliminates 40 pounds of trap dust per year, equaling ,240 worth of air cleansing-- (All tree stats compiled from the The Environmental Almanac, Published by the University of California at Berkely)