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Archive for the ‘Sustainability’ Category

Register for Decatur Trees 101

Posted in Events, Sustainability on February 28, 2015 | 1 Comment »

Trees give us shade, clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and beautify our landscapes. The City of Decatur recognizes that all of us can contribute greatly to the health and structural integrity of these living treasures if we are empowered to recognize common problems and take proactive steps. Our goal is to help you help your trees and to provide that empowerment through education.

What: Decatur Trees 101 – The homeowner’s role in caring for Decatur’s urban forest

When: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 12, 2015

Where: Community Room of the Eloise T. Leveritt Public Works Building, 2635 Tally St.

How much: FREE (for 20 City of Decatur homeowners only)

How to sign up: Email India Woodson at India.Woodson@decaturga.com with your name, address and contact information (must have email response with seat number for verification)

City of Decatur Tree Ordinance Overview:  This session will explain the new ordinance, what it means to the average homeowner and show you how to measure the canopy of your trees.

Tree Identification: The first step in taking proper care of your trees is to know what you have. Decatur Trees 101 will guide you through the steps on how to develop an inventory of what is on your property. You will also learn the basic characteristics of trees that will help you identify the species of trees that you have.

Tree Planting and Maintenance: This information session will teach you how to choose the right species for your landscape and feel confident that you are planting it in a way that ensures success. If you have planted trees that are struggling with the transition to their new home, learn what it takes to direct your trees toward long productive lives.

Structural Pruning: Also known as ‘formative’ pruning, this method of care can provide surprising benefits. Decatur Trees 101 can take the mystery out of this technique and show you how easy it is to work pruning into your tree maintenance plan

Tree Walks (TBD): Get to know your local trees while getting to know your community. We will introduce the trees to you by name and explain the distinguishing features that make each species unique. These events are always interactive and participants are challenged to practice their newly acquired skills!

tree harmony park

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Trees planting in Decatur Feb. 28

Posted in Sustainability on February 15, 2015 | Leave a Comment »

Through a partnership between the City of Decatur and Trees Atlanta‘s NeighborWoods program, volunteers will be planting trees on Saturday, Feb. 28 in city right-of-ways. Trees Atlanta has been planting and caring for trees in neighborhoods across metro Atlanta for about 30 years. The organization waters the trees diligently for two years, and mulch and prune the trees for three years after planting to insure that the trees are well-established.

If you’re interested in volunteering to plant trees in Decatur, gather at Glennwood Elementary, 440 East Ponce De Leon Ave., at 9 a.m. on Feb. 28.

If you have any questions regarding your right of way tree, do not want a right-of way tree, or would like to add an additional shade tree in your front yard, contact NeighborWoods Program Manager Susan Pierce Cunningham at susan@treesatlanta.org or 404-681-4896.

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Baa, Baa, more sheep in Decatur!

Posted in Sustainability on February 5, 2015 | 1 Comment »

Sheep are returning tomorrow to the Agnes Scott Oakhurst Greenspace to eat away invasive ivy and privet. This is an area adjacent to the Green Street PATH trail and just south of the Agnes Scott campus. The flock is expected to be on site for one to two weeks or until they run out of invasive vegetation to eat.
They will be visited daily by the shepherd (Jennif Chandler) or one of her assistants. The sheep will be contained by low-voltage temporary electric fencing—the fence delivers a shock similar to a strong static charge which is not harmful, but it is still advisable to prevent children and pets from contacting the fence. Dogs usually make a beeline for the sheep when they see them, so please keep dogs leashed while in the greenspace.
Thanks for your support of the invasive removal project and for allowing the sheep to be your temporary neighbors! If you have any further questions or concerns, or notice a problem while the sheep are onsite, please contact either Jennif Chandler with Shady Brook Sheep (706-248-3745) or Brian Williams with Trees Atlanta (404-681-4901 or 912-856-1600).
Sheep in Decatur cemetery, September 2013

Sheep in Decatur cemetery, September 2013

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Decatur 1st metro Atlanta city to achieve Platinum “Certified Green Community”

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , , , , on January 28, 2015 | 1 Comment »

ARC platinum green communities 1.28.15This week, the City of Decatur was one of seven local governments to be recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for leadership in implementing policies and practices that contribute to efficient and sustainable use of resources in metro Atlanta.   The city became the first jurisdiction in the 10-county region to achieve Platinum level as a Certified Green Community, the highest certification level. Representatives from the city received its award at ARC’s January board meeting.  ARC recognized the City of Decatur, along with two other cities – Alpharetta and Sandy Springs, and Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, which either renewed or upgraded certification in ARC’s five-year-old Green Communities program.

Commenting on Wednesday’s presentation, ARC Chairman Kerry Armstrong said, “The seven local governments the Atlanta Regional Commission recognized today are working hard to use resources wisely and well, and I commend them for their achievements. Their efforts are contributing to cleaner air, reduced water demand, less waste going into landfills and more. As a result, we have a cleaner, greener region.”

After first achieving Green Communities certification at the Bronze level in 2009, and upgrading to the Gold level in 2010, the City of Decatur has renewed its certification at the Platinum level this year, the first local government to reach the highest achievement possible. Some of the actions Decatur took to become certified include:

  • Developing an Environmental Sustainability Plan as direct response to a charge from the people of the city seeking to become even more environmentally responsible. The plan outlines goals and strategies that the city and community should take to deepen their commitment to serving as good stewards of the environment and resources.
  • Expanding the Safe Routes to School program to include all eligible elementary and middle schools in the City Schools of Decatur system along with College Heights Preschool and two private schools. An average of 55 percent of students participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day each year.
  • Committing to building LEED certified facilities, the latest of which, Fire Station No. 1, is on course to obtain LEED Platinum. Sustainable technologies include high efficiency equipment and lighting, green roof garden, a geothermal vertical-closed loop heat pump system, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting and greywater reclamation. The building is designed to achieve a 33 percent reduction in energy consumption and in water usage.
  • Supporting several community gardens with financial and in-kind support. At Decatur’s Kitchen Garden, more than 30 refugee families grow hundreds of pounds of fresh food each season, combating hunger that their families and neighbors face. The produce is also sold at the Decatur Farmers Market and a number of Decatur restaurants.

ARC developed the Green Communities Program to foster greater environmental stewardship and to recognize local governments that invest in programs leading to a more sustainable region. The nationally recognized program showcases the ways in which local governments are helping to transform the region by reducing their environmental footprint. Since 2009, 18 jurisdictions in the 10-county region have been certified. Cities and counties earn Green Communities certification by implementing practices and policies in 10 categories, ranging from energy efficiency and green building to transportation and water efficiency. ARC’s Green Communities program was the first program in the country seeking to transform a region by promoting sustainability through a “green” certification program for local governments.

Complete information about ARC’s Green Communities Certification Program, including the measures each community has implemented, is available on the agency’s website.

The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 69 other cities.  The Atlanta Regional Commission serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.

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Sheep coming back to Decatur Cemetery

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , on November 3, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

Trees Atlanta will return this week with its herd of sheep to help control Japanese hops, kudzu and other invasive plants on the steep slope between Section 14 and the creek at the Decatur Cemetery.

“Sheep offer a low-impact solution for controlling invasive plants on hard to maintain sites,” said Trees Atlanta Forest Restoration Coordinator  Brian Williams.  “As long as the sites do not contain sensitive or endangered plants that we want to keep safe, sheep can graze and help us eliminate invasive plants until they are gone,” he continued. Trees Atlanta led the recent woodland restoration effort in the stream corridor on the east side of the Cemetery.

The sheep in this program are protected by a human shepherd and livestock guardian dogs, and the sites are surrounded by solar powered, low-voltage electrified fencing to keep the sheep safe and on-task while they are working. The work is expected to take 7 to 10 days at the Cemetery.

Trees Atlanta has used sheep to help eradicate invasive plants at Decatur Cemetery, the Atlanta Beltline, Chastain Park, Kirkwood Forest, Morningside Nature Preserve, Candler Park, Herbert Green Nature Preserve, Perkerson Park and other green spaces in metro Atlanta. The sheep are provided by Ewe-niversally Green, a local firm that specializes in environmentally sound conservation techniques.

For more information about Trees Atlanta and Ewe-niversally Green, see www.treesatlanta.org and www.eweniversallygreen.com.

Sheep leap 9.24.2013

 

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Autumn Electronics Recycling Day- Saturday Oct 11

Posted in Events, Sustainability on September 30, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

It’s that time of year again!  Come to Decatur Public Works on Saturday, October 11th from 9am-1pm to recycle your old electronics and Styrofoam, and safely shred and recycle your documents too! More information can be found on the flyer below or at decaturga.com.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 11, 9 am-1 pm

LOCATION: Decatur Public Works, 2635 Talley Street *Enter from Columbia Drive

CONTACT: Sean Woodson, Solid Waste Superintendent, 404-377-5571

.electronics-recycling-oct-11-2014-flyer

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Special thanks to Dart Container and AAA Security Shredding for participating in this event.

 DartReflexEmlogo-atlanta-shredding-400

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Weigh in on green buildings via Open City Hall

Posted in Community, Sustainability on September 4, 2014 | 1 Comment »

Last week we posted 3 questions about the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) on Open City Hall.  Thank you to everyone who participated and left us their feedback.

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We’re wrapping up our online polling with questions about how the UDO should handle high performance (green) buildings. The proposed UDO includes new high performance standards for both residential and commercial buildings.

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The proposal would require some manner of third-party green building certification for new construction or substantial renovations that exceed 50% of a building’s pre-renovation market value.  It would also require new construction buildings to achieve higher tightness standards, making them less leaky than Georgia Residential Energy Code currently allows.

Go to the city’s Open City Hall page now to learn more and let us know what you think. The questions close Sept. 14 at 11:59 p.m.

 

For more information:

Draft High Performance Building Ordinance Language – this is the proposed code language that would be included in the Draft 2 of the Unified Development Ordinance to be released in late September.

High Performance Buildings Overview– Highlights the background and main components of the proposal.

High Performance Buildings Examples– Provides a few examples of green building projects here in Decatur and the associated costs.

 

 

hackthecode

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Labor Day week sanitation schedule

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , on August 29, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

Just a quick reminder that Monday, Sept. 1 is the Labor Day holiday. All city buildings will be closed and there will be no solid waste or recycling pick up. Instead, Monday’s solid waste and recycling collection route will be serviced on Tuesday and Tuesday’s collection route will be serviced on Wednesday.

Have a safe and fun three day weekend!

city-of-decatur-logo-2in

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Last Chance for Tickets: Meal to Live For Dinner Party

Posted in Events, Sustainability on August 28, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

kitchen-garden-dinner-party-2014-w-date

We’ve got a few tickets left for the Meal to Live For at Decatur Cemetery, but they are going fast!  Tickets are $125 each or reserve a full table for a party of 8 at $1,200.  All proceeds will benefit Decatur’s Kitchen Garden – a Global Grower’s project.

 

Participating Restaurants & Drink Sponsors: 
Brick Store Pub  |  Leon’s Full Service  |  Kimball House  |  Steinbeck’s Ale House  |  Cakes and Ale  |  Chai Pani  |  Farm Burger  |  Iberian Pig  |  No. 246  |  Pine Street Market  |  Sawicki’s  |  Twain’s Billiards and Tap  | Bluetarp  |  Three Taverns |  The Oakhurst Market

 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting auction packages:

LOCAL HARVEST – Starting Bid: $900

  • One year Global Growers CSE
  • Full freezer’s worth of Springer Mountain Farm’s all natural chicken
  • Family Fun Day for 20 at a Global Growers Farm

TOAST OF THE TOWN – Starting Bid $750

  • Brew pub tour and catered lunch for eight with Three Taverns Brewery and Blue Tarp Brewery
  • Have a cocktail named after you for a month at Leon’s Full Service!

BEST OF THE FEST IN DECATUR – Starting Bid $500

  • Tickets for four to Decatur’s 2014 Craft Beer Festival , 2014 Wine Festival , & Beach Party.
  • One-hour VIP guided beer tour at Decatur’s 2014 Craft Beer Festival
  • Private wine catalogue preview at Decatur Package Store prior to Decatur’s 2014 Wine Festival
  • $75 gift certificate to Ted’s Montana Grill in downtown Decatur

HOG HEAVEN – Starting Bid: $350

  • BBQ for 20 prepared and delivered by Hudson Rouse and the Home Grown team
  • Feast includes a whole hog from Riverview Farms and side dishes made with locally sourced ingredients

 

Get your tickets today!

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Coming soon: Open City Hall question about high performance (green) buildings

Posted in Sustainability, tagged , , , , , on August 26, 2014 | Leave a Comment »

Be on the look out for new Open City Hall questions next week about high performance (green) buildings. Meanwhile, you can share your thoughts on three key questions about the draft Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) on Open City Hall now.

UDO phases

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