Sustainability
-
Georgia Landowners Work To Protect The Land They Love
For some Georgia landowners, the trees on their property are more than trees. These green spaces are the places where people grew up, the farms where they spent summers, or the land where families went hunting in dense forest together. As development continues to expand across Georgia, landowners are looking…
-
How UGA Reaches Beyond Campus to Support Farmers’ Mental Health
UGA Cooperative Extension is helping Georgia farmers navigate mental health challenges through education, prevention and trusted relationships as financial pressures, unpredictable weather and the demands of farming take a toll.
-
Athens’ Tree Canopy: A Community Rooted in Shade
Inside the Athens loop is a street lined with mature oaks and maples, where the canopy stretches overhead like a living roof. In neighborhoods such as Forest Heights, trees are more than aesthetic scenery. They are a legacy of resilience and community care. In 2005, Athens-Clarke County adopted the Community…
-
Downtown Athens Redevelopment Moves Forward, Reshaping Former Bethel Midtown Village
A major redevelopment in North Downtown Athens is moving into its next stage. With its first phase complete, construction is now underway for phase two and funding secured for phase three. The redevelopment is replacing aging affordable housing at the former Bethel Midtown Village with an updated, walkable community designed…
-
If Athens’ Landfill Turns Methane Gas Into Energy, Why Compost?
Beneath mounds of waste at the Athens-Clarke County Landfill, dozens of wells drilled into the ground collect energy from the methane gas created by decomposing organic waste. The gas is filtered through pipes to a small plant on landfill property where it is converted into usable energy. Plant operator Corey…
-
Is Athens on Track to Meet its Clean-Energy Goal for 2035?
Seven solar trackers move with the sun in the parking lot of the Athens-Clarke County Library, providing shade for patrons while generating electricity for the building. For library manager Niké Shimobi-Obijuru, the trackers are also a visible example of how the county is implementing renewable energy in its public facilities. “They’re…
-
Rewearing the ‘G’
Saturdays in Athens bring high energy, barking and red-and-black outfits that fill the streets. Matching sets and Georgia apparel are found at any given space from the tailgates on North Campus to Milledge Avenue, purchasing them for the occasion online or from a boutique. For some, however, the search for…
-
Beyond the Trash Can: What Happens to Leftover Food after Sporting Events
After thousands of fans leave a University of Georgia sporting event, the waste left behind is more than empty cups and food wrappers. Leftover food that is not thrown away can become meals for people in need instead of ending up in a landfill and contributing to methane emissions. In…
-
How Local Debates Over Data Centers Leak into Water Scarcity Concerns
For most people in Georgia, water is a convenience accessible with just a simple twist of the faucet. Few would consider it a scarce commodity unless it was no longer a convenience. Yet water resources fluctuate throughout the year, and deplete fastest during warmer months due to the increased usage…
-
Athens Leaders Weigh High-Performance Construction Against Housing Shortage
In Athens-Clarke County, the push toward a 100% clean energy by 2035 is colliding with a stubborn housing shortage. For the people working to solve both problems, the tension is constant. Melinda Lord, director of Housing and Community Development for Athens-Clarke County, doesn’t hesitate when asked whether affordable housing and…