Give 'Green' for the Holidays
For a limited time, make a tax-deductible gift to Earth Share of Georgia in honor of that special "greenie" in your life and we'll send them a holiday card and Earth Share tote bag made from recycled bottles to let them know you care. Give a "One-Earth" gift to be shared by all Earth Share members or designate it to one of 62 leading environmental non-profits. You can make your gift online now using your credit card, or send it to: Earth Share of Georgia, 1447 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 214, Atlanta, GA 30309. Don't forget to include the recipient's name and postal address.

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Metro Atlanta Employers Set the PACE for Improving Region's Air Quality
Now in its fifth year, the PACE Awards is an annual event that recognizes metro Atlanta employers, individuals, and property managers who successfully encourage employees and tenants to drive less and make use of commute alternatives. Employer and property management company winners included: *Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, *Emory University and *Emory Healthcare, *Georgia Department of Education, Equity Office Properties, The Art Institute of Atlanta, MAPICS, Inc., and Trojan Battery Company. Melanie Francis of *Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. was awarded the PACE Setter Award for her leadership role in managing TBS's Clean Air Commute Program. Thanks to all for helping us breathe easier in Atlanta! For more information,visit www.cleanaircampaign.com.

*Denotes Earth Share marketing and/or workplace partner. For full listing, >>click here>>

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Rivers Rejoice as Million in Funding Goes to Chattahoochee National Forest
The Nature Conservancy in Georgia applauds the recently announced appropriation of $1 million in federal funds to purchase land within the Chattahoochee National Forest located in North Georgia. The appropriation will allow The Nature Conservancy to work with the U.S Forest Service to purchase tracts of land located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, particularly along Holly Creek, a critical tributary of the Conasauga River, and the Etowah River, which is located in north Georgia. The Conasauga and the Etowah Rivers are two of The Nature Conservancy's key projects.

The Chattahoochee National Forest, which covers approximately 750,000 acres across north Georgia, contains parcels of privately-owned land interspersed with publicly-owned lands. Acquiring these in-holdings, particularly the lands around Holly Creek and the Etowah River, is critical to protect the water quality and natural diversity found in these watersheds.

"Land use and impacts upstream have a direct impact on water quality and species survival downstream," said Tavia McCuean, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "Acquiring critical in-holdings within the Chattahoochee National Forest will help protect the water quality and natural diversity of the Conasauga and Etowah Rivers." For more information visit nature.org

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EPA Ranks Top 10 Fuel Efficient Vehicles
Is a brand new car on your holiday wish list? If so, then you will want to check out the 2005 top 10 fuel efficient vehicles recently released by the EPA and the DOE. It's probably no surprise that hybrids again lead the list of fuel-efficient vehicles for the new model year with the Honda Insight topping out at 61 mpg in the city. In fact, seven of the top ten are hybrid vehicles. However, it might surprise you that an SUV debuts at number 12 in overall mileage; the Ford Escape hybrid sport utility vehicle leads the SUV class at 36 mpg in the city. In addition to being fuel efficient, hybrids are among the cleanest running vehicles available. To see how your vehicle ranks, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

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Leading Carpet Manufacturer Treads Lightly on Planet
Interface, Inc., the world's largest commercial carpet manufacturer with headquarters in Atlanta, has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), a voluntary multi-sector market for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions. As a member of the CCX, Interface has committed to quantifying and reporting emissions from the manufacture of its products in North America. Interface has also agreed to further voluntarily reduce its greenhouse gas emissions as one of several steps the company is taking towards their goal of becoming a climate-neutral company. Now entering their 10th year of sustainability, Interface participates in a number of climate change initiatives and recently won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2004 Climate Protection Award for its climate neutral products and programs. Kudos to Interface for these worthy achievements! To read further, visit www.earthsharega.org. To learn more about Interface's sustainability project go to www.interfaceflooring.com.

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Hooks & Bullets Unite! GWF Launches Camouflage Coalition
Think conservation is just for tree huggers? Try telling that to this group of sportsmen. Georgia Wildlife Federation recently launched the Camouflage Coalition to unite hunters and anglers around the state to take a stand on conservation issues that affect wildlife and recreation. Members will pay no dues but they will be asked to contact their local legislatures on key issues. Though not a registered lobby group, the Camo Coalition will be fully active during the 2005 legislative session, kicking off with Camo Day at the Capital on January 11. You can learn more and join online at www.camocoalition.org.

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Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable: Livable Centers Initiative Report
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) launched The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) program in 2000 to provide seed money for planning and redevelopment in town centers and activity centers throughout the region. Over the past five years, 58 LCI studies have been completed and ARC has committed more than $108 million in transportation improvements to support implementation of these planning studies.

Join Southface on December 3 for the recently completed LCI report. ARC staff will present an overview of the program and annual report findings. Visit www.southface.org for details and registration information.

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Earth Day Georgia 2005
Earth Share is seeking volunteer professionals to lend their expertise in event planning, marketing & PR, fundraising and more for this year's Earth Day party of the year. Please visit our website for event recaps and photo galleries of Earth Day Georgia 2004. Call 404-873-3173 for inquiries.

Shop at REI and Raise Funds for the Sierra Club!
Volunteers needed to wrap gifts at REI's Perimeter and I-85 stores over two weekends: December 10-12 and December 17-19. All proceeds will benefit the Sierra Club Inner City Outings (ICO). Last year, ICO raised over $2,000, all of which went directly to taking inner city youth on outdoor adventures. To volunteer at the Perimeter store Contact Marie Neff at marie.neff@prgx.com or call 770-565-3869. For the Atlanta store at I-85, contact Erin Bracey at erin.wieckert.bracey@kcc.com or call 678-637-5162.

Docent Training at Chattahoochee Nature Center, January 29:
Are you a person who is fascinated by the natural world? Do you want to share it with others? If so, then head on out to CNC to explore your role as an education volunteer with the Nature Center. In this introduction class, explore the various areas of education volunteering including leading guided hikes on the weekends, interpreting exhibits around the grounds, and doing live animal presentations for visitors. Space is limited so register early by calling 770-992-2055 ex. 237.


Follow these links for other volunteer opportunities with an Earth Share Member Group:

•Sierra Club 101
•www.chattnaturecenter.com/volunteer
• www.treesatlanta.org/calendar
•www.parkpride.org/volunteer_services
•www.gwf.org/volunteers
•www.elachee.org/volunteers
•nature.org

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We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.-- Mother Theresa

•Kinko's Midtown-- 17th & Peachtree Street, Atlanta
•Kinko's Westside--2235 West Broad Street, Athens
•Southface Energy Institute-- 221 Pine St. Atlanta (Next to Sci-Trek)
•San Francisco Coffee House-- 1192 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta
•REI-- All Atlanta locations.

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There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use--Mother Theresa

GWF February Tradeshows: Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Show at the Atlanta Expo Center, February 4-6 and Perry Fisharama/Turkeyrama at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, February 11-13. Volunteers are needed at both of these shows. For details visit www.gwf.org.


Save the Date for One Earth, One Day, One Party, April 23, 2005: The 2005 Earth Day Party of the year will showcase the achievements of businesses "caught in the act" of being environmental stewards, starting with the choice backdrop of this year's venue--the Platinum LEED certified Interface Showroom in the newly revitalized Techwood district of Midtown Atlanta. Distinguished by its access to public transportation and maximum water and energy efficiency, this showroom is a shining example of all that can be accomplished when businesses invest in their communities the natural way. Major sponsors for the 2005 Party already include Whole Foods Market, BP North America and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. For information on how your business can get involved in the celebration contact Richard Judy at 404-873-3173 or richard@earthsharega.org.

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If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.--LBJ