environment
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Athens-Clarke County
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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In-Depth
Federal Funding Cuts Affect National Parks, but also Local Businesses and the Environment
The total federal funding for the National Park Service (NPS) in 2025 was $3.337 billion. That’s seven percent less than the Biden administration’s request of $3.576 billion. The Trump administration has proposed a cut of more than $1 billion across the operation of NPS, including its historic preservation fund, construction…
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Athens-Clarke County
AI-Audio Equipment Extends Impact of Athens Urban Wildlife Project Across County
The Athens Urban Wildlife Project is a relatively small project here in Athens that’s part of a much larger organization. It works to keep track of local wildlife behaviors, in response to urbanization as a part of the Urban Wildlife Information Network. Locally, the project strives to involve citizen volunteers…
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Athens-Clarke County
From California to Georgia: Importance of Proactive Wildfire Management
The devastation serves as a reality check,” says Jacqueline Gewert, a 21-year-old psychology and biology student at the University of Georgia from Calabasas, California. She is talking about the ravaging California wildfires she witnessed from a distance this past January. Gewert was already back in Athens on Jan. 7, 2025…
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Environment
Tackling Food Waste With Farmers Markets
Grocery stores play a significant role in the staggering amount of food waste generated annually. With over 63,000 of them scattered across the United States, they contribute to the disposal of 16 billion pounds of food each year. Thirty percent of all food in these establishments ends up…
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Education
How AWLN is Changing Atlanta Communities One Watershed at a Time
The Atlanta Watershed Learning Network is a program that promotes environmental change through the power of education. The program brings residents of Metro Atlanta together and helps them gain the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for equitable development. Through the use of training modules and a six-month course, students…
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Environment
Cleaning Up North Georgia’s Rivers: Rivers Alive Leads the Charge Against Waterway Pollution
North Georgia rivers are contaminated; however, just as people pollute waters, a group of volunteers, led by a partnership of Rivers Alive and the Aquatic Sciences Center of Milledgeville, spent an afternoon cleaning up Tanyard Creek in their college community. From Georgia College students to nearby residents, these volunteers gathered…
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Environment
Watermarked: How Georgians Are Making a Difference One Drop at a Time
Across North Georgia, rivers and streams battle waste pollution. This documentary highlights innovative solutions driving the conservation of these crucial waterways. Despite obstacles, the progress made can inspire more sustainable practices throughout the region. Students in the sustainability capstone journalism course at the University of Georgia.
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Environment
From Trash to Dirt: What To Do With Your Leftover Food
Banana peels, coffee grounds, cardboard and egg shells. These items get automatically tossed into the depths of kitchen trash cans everyday, not to be thought of again until they begin to produce a foul odor. However, these, and many other pieces of trash, could be used to help slow the…
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Athens-Clarke County
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…