A Newsletter of ARC's Green Communities Program
September 2016
From the National Environmental Education Foundation
On September 24, you can help celebrate our nation's public lands by volunteering at a park for National Public Lands Day (NLPD). From neighborhood parks and beaches to our nation’s awe-inspiring national parks, public lands of all sizes and varieties are places where we live, learn, play, exercise and relax.
NLPD is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. And NPLD is a fee-free day for all federal public lands and many state parks. Whether you volunteer for NPLD or enjoy some boating, hiking, fishing or camping or simply learn more about your public lands and the plants and wildlife that live there, we hope you will take some time on September 24 to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate our public lands for all they give to us.
To participate, search for an NLPD event near you or register for a NLPD event you are planning, and learn more about National Public Lands Day.
Master plan for South Gwinnett Park
Local governments can earn points in ARC's Green Communities program for developing effective greenspace plans. Eligible plans must include natural areas, open spaces and greenways that provide connectivity.
Gwinnett County has an exemplary greenspace plan that outlines the following primary goals:
With 46 award winning parks, Gwinnett County has more than 9,000 acres of greenspace that protect natural lands and increase recreational activities in the county.
How can you support your favorite public lands?
Georgia EPD declares level 1 drought response, encourages water conservation
Atlanta on track to create low-cost financing for green energy at homes, businesses
Georgia World Congress Center honored for stellar zero waste practices
Solarize Decatur-DeKalb launches
Glass recycling makes a comeback in DeKalb
A look at the largest landfill gas-to-energy project in metro-Atlanta
Transforming glass from a headache to an asset
GreenCircle label deflates greenwashing with verified performance data
A community garden became an alternative to juvenile detention
Five great GreenBiz videos about water
Strengthening emergency preparedness through alternative fuel vehicles
EPA adds waste and materials tracking to portfolio manager
Quantifying the value of trees
The health benefits of solar power
Conservation vs green growth: Which is going to win?
7 Tips to maximize LED retrofits
WELL Food Production: Reinventing urban spaces into nutrition hubs
American City and County Municipal Leader of the Year
Nominations due Sept. 24
Free Smart Growth Technical Assistance
Applications due Oct. 6
Every Body Walk! Collaborative Micro Grants
Applications due Oct. 15
Wild Ones Seeds for Education Grant
Applications due Oct. 15
Georgia Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant
Applications due Oct. 31
Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant
Applications due Oct. 31
AmeriCorps Grants
Letter of Intent due Dec. 7
Walk Friendly Community Designation
Applications due Dec. 15
Walmart Fdn. Community Grant
Applications due Dec. 31
Bicycle Friendly Community Designation
Applications due Feb. 9
Ford Fdn. Sustainable Development Grant
Applications ongoing
Kresge Fdn. Healthy Housing & Neighborhoods Initiative
Applications ongoing
SolSmart Community Designation
Applications ongoing
Green by the Numbers
Park Stats!
2018 International Energy Conservation Code Update Series
Sept. & Oct. | Webinar
Georgia Tech Serve-Learn-Sustain Environmental Justice Series
Fall 2016 | Atlanta
Tailgate for Trees
Sept. 22 | Atlanta
2018 IECC Key Commercial Code Change Proposals
Sept. 22 | Webinar
Atlanta Streets Alive
Sept. 25 | Atlanta
4th Annual RayDay
Sept. 25 | Chattahoochee Hills
The Sustainable High Growth Revolution
Sept. 26 | Atlanta
Intro to Virtual Power Purchase Agreements
Sept. 28 | Webinar
Sustainability is Growing in Atlanta Luncheon
Sept. 29 | Atlanta
Brownfields Assessment and Remediation to Support Community Revitalization
Sept. 29 | Webinar
Just Energy Summit
Sept. 30 | Atlanta
8th Annual Solar Summit
Oct. 20 | Atlanta
2016 SEEA & AESP Southeast Conference
Oct. 25 & 26 | Atlanta
GAWP 2016 Fall Conference
Nov. 15-16 | Dalton
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.