Environment
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UGA Addresses On-Campus Food Waste with New Sustainability Initiatives
With five dining halls in every corner of campus, University of Georgia students have convenient access to food at a moment’s notice. However, this comes at a cost. On-campus dining halls produce thousands of pounds of food waste each week. The UGA Office of Sustainability is hoping to reduce waste…
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Athens’ De-Icing Chemicals Raise Waterway Concerns
Winter storms bring more to Athens-Clarke County than snow and ice. After the slush melts, salt crystals and sand linger on streets and sidewalks until the next rainstorm washes those materials toward storm drains, ditches and nearby waterways. During the two winter storms in Athens during 2026, Athens-Clarke County Emergency…
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Hyperlocal Forecasting Sharpens Winter Storm Predictions in Athens
When winter storms threaten Athens, accurate forecasting can be crucial to the safety of thousands. Georgia’s varied landscape stretches the limits of broad, statewide forecasting, often prioritizing metro areas like Atlanta over smaller cities. At the University of Georgia, students in the Weather Dawgs are closing that gap by using…
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Winter Storm Shopping Reveals Recycling Confusion in Athens
Back-to-back winter storms in Athens exposed confusion about plastic recycling and highlighted a larger issue of everyday waste. The forecasts for these storms last month sent Athens residents rushing to grocery stores, where cases of bottled water and packaged goods disappeared within hours. Business surged as shoppers stocked up ahead…
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Athens Mayor, Commissioners To Decide Future Of Data Center Moratorium After Public Input
The Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are expected to decide Tuesday whether to extend the moratorium on data centers as concerns over water, power use and rising utility costs have dominated the local conversation. Meanwhile, state lawmakers including Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) are weighing legislation that could eliminate tax incentives for the industry.
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Q&A: Nix Spearheads Clean Energy Plan for County
Ramsey Nix recently started a position in the Athens-Clarke County Sustainability Department as an education consultant. She has previously advocated for the use of electric school buses and solar panels in the Clarke County School District. Q: You’re relatively new to your job with Athens-Clarke County. What has been the…
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To this River Community, Hurricane Helene Dealt Existential Blow
CORRECTION & CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated for accuracy regarding the Narrows’ features and typos. The corrections have been made in the article below. The article has also been updated for clarity regarding the official founding of Bright Shadow. here are other places where the land is green, and…
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Sweet Pea Club: Teaching Multi-Generational Stewardship for the Environment
The Sweet Pea Club is a weekly event run by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s education department that teaches young children about the importance of environmental stewardship. The club meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden, with each week focusing on a…
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Laid with Love: Hippie Hens Homestead Works Toward Ethical Sustainability
As more people look for ways to live sustainably, small farms like Hippie Hens Homestead are leading by example. Raising chickens for fresh eggs not only cuts down on waste costs but also promotes self-reliance and ethical animal care. For Lacy Martin, sustainability goes far beyond efficiency. It’s about respect…
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Students Spread Sustainability through EcoReps
With more than 6,200 first-year students enrolled in 2025, the University of Georgia’s growing freshman class presents both excitement and sustainability challenges. The Eco-reps program is using that growth as an opportunity to educate students on environmentally friendly habits. Sadie Eubanks, a second-year EcoRep, joined the program her freshman year…