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Georgia companies take on Green Day Challenge

Georgia companies take on Green Day Challenge

(WXIA) -- Companies across Georgia are gearing up for the EarthShare of Georgia's Corporate Green Day Challenge, to be held Saturday, April 6 in various parks in the metro area.

Employees from local businesses form teams and complete projects in a good number of parks to help the environment. In 2012, over 1,000 volunteers took the challenge and went to work at 12 different locations. 

For 2013, EarthShare of Georgia expects over 12,000 to take part in the challenge. 

The projects will take place from 9:00 Saturday morning until noon. 

Teams signed up for 2013 come from companies including:

Sweep the Hooch registration open

Sweep the Hooch registration open

ATLANTA -- This year's Sweep the Hooch event is expected to be the biggest one yet.

The annual Chattahoochee River clean-up to slated to attract nearly 600 volunteers at a number of locations along the water.

Last year, Sweep the Hooch participants gathered up nearly four tons of trash.

"This is the kind of hands-on work that Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and our partners do that reaffirms our commitment to keeping our river clean," Chattahoochee Riverkeeper executive director Sally Bethea said in a statement. "We'll have volunteers paddling the river, wading in the water and combing the shoreline for trash."

Clean-up locations along the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area run from Buford Dam to Paces Mill.

Sweep the Hooch will be Saturday, Apr. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To sign up as an individual or with a group, visit sweepthehooch.org.

 

2013 Georgia Rides to the Capitol to raise cycling support

2013 Georgia Rides to the Capitol to raise cycling support

ATLANTA -- The 2013 "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event will be held through the city on Tuesday, March 26.

A spokeswoman for the ride said more than 1,000 cyclists are expected to participate, as part of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association "GEORGIA BIKES!" program. The bike ride will be escorted by police, and run track through Decatur and Roswell. Leading the pack will be Commissioner Fred Boykin and Mayor Jere Wood, along with more city officials. 

During the "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event, cyclists hope to raise support for other types of transportation through the metro region. Plus, they hope conditions will improve to allow easier cycling, including the development of regional systems and both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails. 

Fulton County Cooperative Extension offers assistance to homeowners concerned about radon

Fulton County Cooperative Extension offers assistance to homeowners concerned about radon

ATLANTA -- According to the University of Georgia College of Family & Consumer Sciences, although radon is present throughout the environment, when high levels of radon enter a home or building, people are exposed to more of its radiation and their risk of cancer increases. Such a situation can easily be discovered and corrected.  Fulton County Cooperative Extension offers assistance to concerned homeowners to identify potential harm from the dangerous radioactive gas.

“Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless,” states Menia Chester, Director of Fulton County Cooperative Extension. “A radon test is the only way to find out how much radon is in your home.”

FMSA Takes World Water Monitoring Challenge

FMSA Takes World Water Monitoring Challenge

ATLANTA -- Fourteen students, ages 7 - 11, from First Montessori School of Atlanta, recently participated in the World Water Monitoring Challenge™ at The John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Preserve in the City of Sandy Springs. WWMC is an international education and outreach program that encourages people of all ages to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.

Centennial High School Gets New Pergola

Centennial High School Gets New Pergola

The Environmental Club at Centennial High School started a campus garden and outdoor learning area five years ago. "The Rock Garden" is named for two large boulders in the area. Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of the students, the grassy area has grown to include nine raised vegetable beds, fruit trees and shrubs.

Michael Joseph, a project manager with MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers], recently volunteered his time and expertise to help build an attractive pergola to mark the entrance to The Rock Garden. MOSAIC Group also provided supplies for the construction project.

The nearly 50 students who are members of the Environmental Club raised funds from paint recycling events to purchase the Lawn Master do-it-yourself kit from Home Depot.

Centennial High School is located off Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. The club sponsor is Julie Burroughs, a math/TAG teacher. Additional assistance is provided by Anne Kennedy, a master gardener and parent volunteer.

Atlanta Chefs Celebrate First Pastured Poultry Week, June 11-17

Atlanta Chefs Celebrate First Pastured Poultry Week, June 11-17

Georgians for Pastured Poultry (GPP), an alliance that is promoting the use of high-welfare, pasture raised poultry in Georgia, has created Pastured Poultry Week to take place Monday, June 11 through Sunday, June 17, 2012.

As part of this annual event, Atlanta restaurants will help spread the word about the many virtues of pastured poultry – its superior taste, the natural life of the chickens, and the positive impact on both human health and the health of the environment – by serving it on their menus every day during this designated week. Additionally, chef demonstrations at local farmers markets throughout the spring and summer will educate consumers on ways to prepare pastured poultry in order to continue raising awareness.

Participating restaurants include: