Earth Share

of Georgia

Text Box: Green at Work Online

Welcome to the January edition of Green at Work Online. This is your monthly newsletter of environmental volunteer opportunities, special eco-events, and news from Earth Share of Georgia, the nonprofit federation of 64 local, national and international environmental groups. In this issue:

--ECO News—

--Environmental Advocacy—

--Volunteer Opportunities, Events & Workshops—

--ECO Etc.—

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ECO NEWS

>Trees Atlanta Volunteer Coordinator, Greg Levine, and Web Master, Neil Norton, were recently nominated City of Decatur Home Town Heroes for their work on planting trees in Decatur neighborhoods.

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>BellSouth has slimmed back the yellow pages by 25% with more efficient design. A Bell South spokesperson claims, "Region wide, we save about 50,000 cubic yards of landfill space and over 250,000 trees because of the need for less paper." Join 8 million others and use www.realpages.com and cancel your phone book to save more trees.

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> From now until February 1, 2002, Georgia Wildlife Federation will be accepting nominations for Conservation Achievement Awards recognizing volunteers, companies and other organizations for efforts to improve our environment. Any Georgia individual, group, or company is eligible for nomination (except GWF staff and volunteer leaders). Contact Mitch Russell (mrussell@gwf.org) at 770-787-7887 to receive a nomination form.

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>Interested in learning more about creating wildlife habitats on school grounds? A workshop on March 30 at Georgia Wildlife Federation's Alcovy Conservation Center in Covington will teach you how your schoolyard can become an important part of a functional ecosystem to provide essential wildlife habitat and inspiration for students, teachers and the community. SDU credit is available for classroom teachers. For more information, contact Laura (lbryant@gwf.org) at 770-787-7887.

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>Big Tree Search 2002: Park Pride's search for metro Atlanta's largest trees has begun! Citizens throughout metro Atlanta can nominate trees through January 30^th, 2002. At the heart of this program is the belief that trees provide economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits to our urban communities. Nominations can be made be requesting a form from Park Pride by phone. Call (404) 817-7969 or (404) 607-8355. For the computer savvy, nominations may be made online at www.parkpride.org.

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>Atlanta has only 3.7% of its land area dedicated to open space and/or parks. Compare that number with New York City -- almost 26% -- and San Francisco and Washington D.C. with almost 20% -- all cities with higher population densities. (See info on February's Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable "Atlanta's Commitment to Green Space" below).

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>Atlanta-based Collective Good (http://www.collectivegood.com) is collecting and refurbishing outdated mobile phones for donation to people in developing nations who have never owned phones.

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>Students at Sandersville Technical College refurbish old corporate computers and then give them to schools and nonprofit agencies. If you have a few to donate, or need a computer, contact them at 478-553-1269.

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>Earth Share of Georgia is looking for Earth Day Projects and Volunteers!! Once again, we will partner with Hands On Atlanta for Green Day on April 20. We're looking for good quality volunteer projects for the day. Even better if you can add an educational component to the project, that is, while you've got the volunteers on site, teach them how to embrace environmentalism into their lifestyles. It's a great outreach opportunity. We'll need at least a general idea of your project by the end of January. And if you're a volunteer, sign up as an individual or team at our website, http://www.earthsharega.org/forms.nsf/Volunteer?OpenForm.

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>Reynolds Nature Preserve has named Stephanie Lucas as its new manager. Stephanie has been an environmental educator and ecologist for many years, and is looking forward to expanding the organization's outreach to Clayton County schools, and adding more indoor wildlife to its existing habitats.

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>Atlanta Bicycle Campaign wants to hear from car-less cyclists! Send your story: how you get to work, how you get groceries, and how you do other things people often do by automobile. And what do you do when you find you need a car? Tell of the extra challenges you face without a car, but also the hassles you avoid because of it. ABC will publish some of the stories to give other readers ideas on the possibilities of using a car less, and the bicycle more! For your trouble, they'll send you a free bicycle "bumper sticker" with the message, "MY OTHER CAR ISN'T ONE EITHER!" Send your story to ABC, PO Box 5525, Atlanta, GA 31107, or e-mail to atlantabike@mindspring.com.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

>Join an electronic advocacy network to let legislators and others know of your support for strong protections for Georgia's environment. Join the Georgia Environmental Action Network. GEAN uses e-mail-to-fax technology to put you in touch with key decision-makers when they are working on issues such as clean air and water, wilderness, sprawl, traffic and coastal development. You will receive e-mail alerts per year on the most critical conservation issues supported by The Georgia Conservancy and a coalition of other conservation organizations. To join GEAN, http://www.actionnetwork.org/add.tcl?domain=gean . Don't forget to check The Georgia Conservancy box at the end of the GEAN join page!

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>American Forests has initiated a tree-planting program to honor the people who lost their lives on September 11. Memorial Trees encourages individuals, businesses, agencies, and others to help plant memorial groves of trees in sites across the country to serve as symbols of hope for the future and provide important environmental benefits for generations to come. Help plant Memorial Trees by visiting http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/.

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>Earth Day Network recently pledged to help AMERICAN FORESTS plant 285,510,788 trees - one tree for every American. Called Trees Across America, the Earth Day Network program will provide environmental education materials to thousands of teachers and encourage them to take positive action for the environment by raising funds to plant memorial tree groves at their schools or neighborhoods. A granite marker customized for each school will identify the grove as a September 11th Memorial project. Additionally, the planting project will allow teachers to tie environmental education to American history. Visit http://www.earthday.net/.

"I am at two with nature."

--Woody Allen

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

>Help plan the hottest party of the year with the coolest people in town! Join Earth Share for the initial meeting of the Down To Earth Day Volunteer Committee on January 17 at 6:30 p.m. at our Midtown office, 1447 Peachtree Street, Suite 214. RSVP with enthusiasm to Blake Eno (blake@earthsharega.org) or call 404-873-3173.

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>Trees Atlanta – All projects are from 9am-Noon. If interested, e-mail Greg Levine at greg@treesatlanta.org or call 404/522-4097.

January 5 Parkview

January 12 Oakland City

January 19 Edgewood

January 26 4^th Ward

February 2 MLK Planting

February 9 East Atlanta

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>Upper Chatthoochee Riverkeeper – Contact Kristi Rose at 404-352-9828 ext. 17 or krose@ucriverkeeper.org for more information.

--Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Workshop, Saturday, January 19, 2002, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Smithgall Woods Nature Center, Helen, GA. Please join Riverkeeper and learn how to adopt your local waterway. This workshop will train citizens how to conduct monthly chemical tests to assess the health of creeks and rivers. For directions to Smithgall Woods, please visit: http://www.georgiamagazine.com/outdoors/statepks/smthgall/

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>The Georgia Conservancy : Contact Bonnie Jackson 404.876.2900 x18 bjackson@gaconservancy.org

--Awesome Oyster Roast: Saturday, January 5, 2002 at Melon Bluff, a privately owned, nature-based getaway located 35 miles south of Savannah. Oysters and barbecue for members and friends of The Georgia Conservancy.

--Generation Green Meeting: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at Southface Energy Institute, 241 Pine Street in Midtown Atlanta. Topic "The New Energy Future" featuring Jennifer Giegerich from PIRG and Richard Judy from BP Amoco

--Native Seasons Workshop: Saturday, January 19, 2002 at Medicine Bow, near Dahlonega
Winter educator workshop on native plants, wild foods, ecology, conservation, animal tracking, and Native American use of the land. The workshop is full. Contact us to be placed on a waiting list

--Winter Birding: Saturday, February 2, 2002 at Newman Wetland Center in Clayton County
Field trip to the Metro area`s best winter birding spot with expert birder Tim Keyes.

--Georgia's Growing Thirst: Friday, February 15, 2002 at Coastal Georgia Center, 305 MLK Blvd. in
Savannah. Challenges for Coastal Georgia. A symposium on water conservation and efficiency.

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>The Nature Conservancy, Georgia Chapter. Work parties needed at the following locations. Contact Beth Bays 404-873-7979 x224

--January 12: Camp Meeting Rock - boundary marking

--January 26: Oakbin Pond - trail maintenance, firebreak maintenance

--February 9: Black's Bluff - boundary marking

--February 23: Moody's Forest - non-native invasive plant control

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>Southface Energy Institute: Call 404-872-3549 for information

--Greenprints: February 20-23, 2002, Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Green Design Charrette, Green Tradeshow, Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Eco-Atlanta Tour… over 25 sessions led by practitioners and visionaries committed to changing the way we think about architecture, energy and transportation in the 21^st Century. Find out more or register online at www.greenprints.org

Volunteer opportunities at Greenprints—interact with national leaders in sustainable design and construction and receive free registration.

Other volunteer opportunities at Southface:

--Development and maintenance of sustainable landscaping at the Southface Environmental Resource Center. Learn about urban wildlife habitat, organic gardening and edible intensive, native and water efficient landscaping.

--Assist with the construction of Southface's traveling 'Home Energy Clinic' which exhibits throughout the southeast as an educational tool for the general public on energy and resource efficiency. To set-up an interview for placement, contact: Aziza Cooper, 404-872-3549 x 114 or aziza@southface.org

--Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable—February 1, 2002, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. at Scitrek Science Museum, 395 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308, "Atlanta's Commitment to Green Space." Register online at http://www.southface.org/home/sart/sustainatlanta.html#RSVPform

--GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL RECEPTION, January 30, 2002, 6:00pm-8:30pm at

Southface. Don't miss the annual GEC Legislative Reception where you will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with legislators in a relaxed setting. RSVP- 770/945-3111 or Chassell@mindspring.com

--HOMEBUILDING SCHOOL at Southface Energy Institute. These courses takes a holistic approach to homebuilding by educating participants on: Design, Foundations, Framing, Windows & Doors, Exterior Finish, Interior Finish, Roofing & Decking, Energy Efficiency, Comfort & Indoor Air Quality, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical Systems and Contracting and Financing. To register, call 404/872-3549 ext.114 or for more information click on www.southface.org .

April 25-28 4-Day Short Course

June 8-16 9-Day Course

August 15-18 4-Day Short Course

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>Park Pride Arbor Day Activities

--Atlanta's Official Arbor Day Ceremony at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, February 16^th, 12 Noon. Park Pride will announce the winners of the Big Tree Search, honor the recipient of the "I Believe in Trees Award", plant the ceremonial Arbor Day tree with City of Atlanta officials, and provide important tree protection information to the public. Contact Park Pride for more information: melaniejones@earthlink.net ; 404.607.8355; deann@parkpride.org ; 404.817.6761

--Community Tree Plantings and Educational Series throughout North Fulton County and Sandy Springs. Activities will be held in N. Fulton School throughout the month of February and Tree planting will be between February 9^th -16^th. Contact Keep Sandy Springs/N. Fulton Clean & Beautiful for information on how you can get involved. Call 404.551.7766; Email mreamy@mindspring.com

--Bicycle Tour of Trees hosted by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign.

--Community Tree Planting in Grant Park on February 16^th at 9a.m. Contact the Grant Park Conservancy for more information. Email pcuthbertson@gpconservancy for more information.

--Piedmont Park Tour of Trees on Saturday February 9^th at 9 a.m. Visit the Piedmont Park Conservancy online at www.piedmontpark.org or call 404.875.PARK for details.

--Week long tree-related activities and education hosted by DeKalb County Parks and Recreation. Afterschool activities are being held in DeKalb Counties recreation facilities February 11^th-15^th. Contact Sue Pickens by email at sspicken@co.dekalb.ga.us.

--Atlanta tree plantings by Trees Atlanta. Find them on the web at www.treesatlanta.org

For more information or to participate in any of these events, contact Melanie Jones at Park Pride. Email melaniejones@earthlink.net.

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>Atlanta Bicycle Campaign has the following volunteer needs: Graphic artist - Lay out flyers and brochures for bicycle promotion events, including a Bike Safety Ride in April, and the annual Bike There event in May; Set-up for food and meeting at the "Bicycle Morning at the Capitol" event. Tuesday, February 12, 8 a.m.; Legislative research on the web, to prepare for "Bicycle Morning at the Capitol" event. Tuesday, February 12, 8 a.m.; Assistant Event Planner to help with preparation for Bike Festival in May. Includes coordination of volunteers, and event logistics.

"The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders."

--Edward Abbey

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ECO ETC.

>How earth friendly is your Internet service provider? Does it give you access to the World Wide Web and support the environment? By subscribing to www.EcoISP.com, you can choose to have 50% of your net monthly subscription fee (about $2.75 per month) donated Earth Share of Georgia. EcoISP offers an array of unique benefits to subscribers such as up-to-date environmental news and powerful search engines. Sign-up today at www.EcoISP.com and support our efforts!

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>Get your caffeine fix and save the planet with CafeCanopy, which is planting trees through AMERICAN FORESTS' Global ReLeaf program. For every 14-oz bag of AMERICAN FORESTS-Global ReLeaf Blend of coffee purchased, CafeCanopy will plant one tree in one of AMERICAN FORESTS' ecosystem restoration projects. The company will plant 5 life-nurturing trees with the purchase of a 5-lb bag of the Global ReLeaf blend. CafeCanopy's website is http://www.cafecanopy.com/default.asp . For Fair Trade shade-grown coffee, try Café Campesino of Americus, Georgia. It's local, it supports the monthly Atlanta Sustainable Roundtables, and it's a great bunch of folks. www.cafecampesino.com .

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>Go Fish: for a map of trout streams and regulations around the state, check out http://www.gofishgeorgia.com, sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

--From Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Happy New Year!

Earth Share of Georgia (http://www.earthshare.org)

To be added or removed from our Green at Work Online e-mail list, contact Elicia Fritsch. (elicia@earthsharega.org )