Environment
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From Pollination to Plate, Bees and Beekeeping Play an Irreplaceable Role in Food Production
The bustling aisles of a grocery store offer rows upon rows of food to choose from. In this space, the freedom of choice appears endless, though insight into where and how exactly a product originates may not be as readily available. Peering beyond the confines of the supermarket’s shelves can…
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Bike Athens To Move To New Location Within Community
As Bike Athens goes through the process of moving to and building out their new location on Prince Avenue, they are still working to help the community in Athens. Although their new shop isn’t ready, they are still helping customers with repairs and working on donated bikes for their bike…
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Soaking up the Sun: Solar Energy Grows in Georgia, Despite Challenges
Under the Georgia sun, a few businesses are harnessing solar energy to power their operations, leading a sustainable effort to reduce their carbon imprint. Athens Running Company is one of the businesses in Athens who chose to adopt solar energy through the Solarize Athens campaign. Owner Mark Schroeoder installed their…
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Fighting Pollution: How Athens Residents are Keeping Rivers Alive
Athens residents and local groups came together early in the morning on Oct. 21 for the annual Athens Rivers Alive event. Their mission: to clean and revitalize the county’s polluted creeks, rivers, streams and trails. Rivers Alive, a statewide Georgia volunteer waterway cleanup program, celebrates its 25th annual cleanup this…
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ACC’s Clean and Renewable Energy Campaign A Generational Opportunity For Change
The Athens-Clarke County’s mayor and commission adopted a resolution in 2019 to obtain 100% of the Unified Government’s energy needs for operations and building, from clean and renewable sources by 2035. Four years later, the Sustainability Office looks to bolster sustainability in the local community with the Clean and…
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What You Missed at Vulture Festival 2023
As the sun rose over the tree line, event attendees craned their necks to watch the vultures spread their wings to sunbathe. The early morning light filtering through the spread feathers of their wings cast them in an angelic glow. Vultures may get a bad reputation, but the Athens-Clarke County…
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Establishing Biodiversity: UGA Creates Green Spaces for Local Pollinators, Students
Throughout the urban landscape of the University of Georgia, lush gardens and pathways are being maintained to foster local pollination zones, along with outside spaces for students to engage with. Pollinators help facilitate the reproduction cycle for most plants, ranging from flowers in a garden to crops that people eat.…
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Athens Composting Programs Help Business Owners, The Environment
University of Georgia students might be familiar with the UGA Campus Compost Program which collects food scraps from multiple bins around campus. The Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department hosts similar composting programs, including food scraps collection for businesses and six drop-off sites for composting around the county. Reducing Food Waste…
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Local Neighborhoods Have Growing Concerns Over Quarry Expansion
Homes in South Jackson County are lined with “Stop The Rock Quarry” signs. Residents on Chandler Bridge Road have signs at nearly every house expressing the concern that they have with a quarry proposal. Jackson County resident and Stop The Rock Quarry leader and activist Randy Durham said he finds…
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Zero Waste Athletics at Georgia Soccer Score Goal
Looking at concessions alone, sporting events produce a considerable amount of waste. Denise Plemmons, the waste reduction coordinator for the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division, said the landfill typically receives an additional 35-40 tons of landfill waste after a University of Georgia home football game. According to the University of Georgia…