A Newsletter of ARC's Green Communities Program May 2017 Lights Out AtlantaDayna Thompson, Southface According to the Atlanta Audubon Society, an estimated 350 million to 1 billion birds die in the United States every year due to building collision. Because most birds migrate at night, brightly lit cities, such as Atlanta, can confuse and disorient birds in migration causing them to fly straight into buildings. Indoor shrubs and plants placed near brightly lit windows can also confuse birds, causing increased incidents. Lights Out Atlanta, a new program launched by the Atlanta Audubon Society in partnership with the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, aims to encourage people to turn off or reduce artificial light use, whether in homes or commercial buildings, during peak migration periods. Participants will take a pledge to reduce non-essential lighting during the spring and fall migration period of March 15 to May 31 and Aug 15 to Nov 15. The goal of the program is not to create a darkened city during evening hours, but to create a safe path in Atlanta for birds passing through the city at night. Green Communities SpotlightCommunity Outdoor Lighting Efficiency Local governments can earn points for Green Communities Measure #15 by putting in place an ordinance or policy that requires or incentivizes the efficient operation of outdoor lighting. Cherokee County has implemented this measure by adopting an Outdoor Lighting and Road Glare Ordinance. The ordinance encourages the efficient use of outdoor lighting and the reduction of light trespass, sky glow and glare. The ordinance includes an 11pm curfew for outdoor lighting and a requirement that plans for new projects show how the project will comply with the ordinance. Make it Personal5 Ways You Can Reduce Light Pollution
Read more details on how to reduce your light pollution here… Sustainability News ClipsGreen news from near and far: Atlanta commits to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 Soccer in the Streets honored for its ‘Station Soccer’ initiative Atlanta celebrates bike share expansion SunTrust Park to add 61 EV charging stations Step Up For Atlanta: The Living Transit Fund and a path to a new Atlanta way A wave of net zero energy schools crests in the South A green infrastructure guidebook for city planners Cities of the future will depend on resiliency to meet urbanization demands Why resilience is essential in a volatile world Community resilience building workshop guide Another “E” for Earth Day: equity in multifamily recycling Cultivating the coexistence of agriculture and solar farms Cities make strides to improve solar Portland Metro targets 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 Invest in local food systems to set a chain reaction This magic Dutch traffic light helps bicyclists avoid stopping
Get Green for Going Green Recognition of Outstanding Resilience-Building Infrastructure Projects Sustainable Connections Local Community Proposal Green Communities Program Cultural Corridor Consortium Grant Diesel Emission Reduction Program Grant The Southeast Sustainable Communities Fund 2017 Water Reflections Calendar Photo Contest Funding for Curbside Recycling Carts Funding for Scrap Tire Clean Up LED Street Lighting Solutions and Training Urban Land Institute 2017 Technical Assistance Panels Kresge Fdn. Healthy Housing & Neighborhoods Initiative Ford Fdn. Sustainable Development Grant SolSmart Community Designation Green by the Numbers 35 – percent of light wasted by poorly designed outdoor lighting fixtures 13 – percent of U.S. residents’ electricity used for outdoor lighting 15 million – tons of CO2 emitted annually to power U.S. residential outdoor lighting Sustainability HappeningsINPUT NEEDED: Georgia Climate Research Roadmap LBC Free DIY Backyard Wildlife Workshop International Compost Awareness Week Re-Designing Urban Foraging Smart Tree Risk Assessments Trees Atlanta Lunch & Learn Top 10 Ways to Upgrade Your Stormwater Program Making Crossings Safe, Convenient, and Inviting USGBC GA Annual Meeting INSS Conference: “Smart, Connected Communities” The End of Tree Plagues 2017 EcoDistricts Summit Green Infrastructure – Learn the Environmental, Community and Economic Benefits The Green Matters e-newsletter is designed to give you a glimpse of important sustainability initiatives happening around the metro Atlanta region and beyond. Whether it's the latest research, new educational offerings, environmental stewardship efforts or potential funding opportunities, this e-newsletter will help you stay abreast of what's happening in this important subject area. |