Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on July 24, 2010
Trees Atlanta is encouraging Atlanta residents to attend a training opportunity to expand and gain specialized knowledge about trees and tree care. The more people we have out there looking out for our urban forests, the better! And Trees Atlanta is one of the best organizations to make it happen.
The Trees Atlanta TreeKeepers Certification Program is Trees Atlanta’s volunteer training and certification program that applies skill, appreciation, and pride to the stewardship of our urban forest. TreeKeepers consists of seven workshops, including indoor & outdoor activities, presentations, and engaging hands-on demonstrations. Each three-hour session takes place at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, and is taught by Trees Atlanta staff or community tree professionals. Upon completion of the program, which includes volunteering 24 hours to tree projects, graduates will receive an official TreeKeepers hat, a native tree, a training manual, and a signed TreeKeepers certificate, as well as opportunities to put their new knowledge into action. Register now!
Training will take place on the following dates from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. with a light breakfast served beforehand: August 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and September 11th, 18th, and 25th. The cost is $65 and TreeKeepers will receive an official TreeKeepers hat, a manual, a native tree, and a signed certificate when they have volunteered 24 hours to tree projects, whether with Trees Atlanta or another organization.
To assist toward the completion of these hours, Trees Atlanta has regular planting, tree care, and forest restoration projects where TreeKeeper leadership is valued. Additionally, TreeKeepers may choose to work independently in their own community.
Don’t forget to register now! You can also contact Bethany at Trees Atlanta at 404-681-4898.
Posted in Education, Trees | Tagged: Atlanta volunteering, Trees Atlanta events, Atlanta tree plantings, urban forest, urban tree canopy, Trees Atlanta TreeKeepers Certification Program, Atlanta tree planting classes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on May 13, 2010
We would like to welcome to Oakhurst the newest summer camp for Decatur and Atlanta kids! Founded by local residents Scott and Jennifer Seitz and inspired by their 9-year-old daughter, Camp Scene is a new summer day camp with a mission: fostering nature appreciation and teaching about environmental issues through adventure. The method is simple and one-of-a-kind in Atlanta. Camp Scene, for 8- to 12-year-olds, takes the classroom outdoors, offering fascinating hands-on field studies in awe-inspiring places around Georgia. Every day is a field trip, packed with adventure activities and ideas for green living.
The one- or two-week sessions of day trips out of downtown Oakhurst feature introductory, expert-trained fun in hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, geocaching, swimming, kayaking, boating/tubing and more to destinations including Callaway Gardens, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Georgia Nature Center, Amicalola Falls, Fort Yargo State Park and the Chattooga River.
Owner/director Scott Seitz is a middle school science and math teacher year-round, but his summer lesson plans, which complement the camp’s daily activities and destinations, exclusively cover the environment. Topics include Georgia wildlife and eco-regions, energy conservation, alternative energy, waste reduction, recycling, composting, stream/wetland ecology, water conservation and air pollution. Camp Scene is a member of the Environmental Education Alliance.
“Without a doubt, there’s one irreplaceable way for kids to learn to appreciate nature and our interdependency,” Scott said. “And that’s to simply experience it. Start early, and then their daily life is infused with that natural sensibility.”
Scott, and his wife, Jennifer, also have an infant son, and they are excited to include him and expand their programming to feature all-ages family adventures starting in the fall. Already, families are encouraged to get in on the summer camp fun, with Weekly Green Challenges during each session and resources for at-home environmental exploration.
Discounted rates of $35 off each session are being offered with DISCOUNT CODE: GO GREEN before May 15. Visit www.campscene.com or call today! 404-502-3196. For information about financial scholarships, e-mail info@campscene.com.
Thanks to Jennifer for passing this along! I asked her is grown-ups could participate and she said they’re working on that. 
ABOUT CAMP SCENE:
Camp Scene, a summer day camp based in Oakhurst Village in Decatur for ages 8-12, teaches environmental stewardship through outdoor adventure. Hands-on field studies are based on lesson plans from the Environmental Education Alliance and adapted to the daily field trips and Georgia destinations. Rigorous procedures during travel and on site keep campers safe, happy and healthy, and the well-trained, professional staff consists of certified Georgia teachers who are also certified in first aid and CPR. Camp Scene donates 5% of proceeds to local environmental organizations and gives back to the community by offering financial scholarships and organizing volunteer service projects.
Posted in Be Active!, Education, Environment | Tagged: environmental stewardship, going green Atlanta, Atlanta day trips, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Atlanta green summer camp, adventure summer camps in Atlanta GA, Camp Scene in Decatur, Environmental Education Alliance | 1 Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on April 30, 2010
Trees Atlanta invites you to join them for their second annual "City in the Arboretum Conference" this year with a theme of "Bringing the Arboretum Home." Click the image above to register!
Atlanta is known as “The City of Trees” thanks to our canopy of ancient oaks and mature trees, but we still have work to do to expand our greenspaces and plant and preserve native tree species. At this second annual “City in the Arboretum Conference: Bringing the Arboretum Home,” Trees Atlanta will share with guests how to do just that. 25 years ago, Trees Atlanta began their mission to plant trees throughout the city and, as a part of that, have developed seven neighborhood arboreta for educational, scientific, and aesthetic purposes.
Here is more information about the goals of both the Arboreta Program and the Arboretum Conference:
The goals of the Arboreta Program:
- To educate the public about trees and tree species.
- To increase the biodiversity of our urban forest.
- To create new citizen advocates for trees.
The goals of the Conference:
- Share information, tools, and resources to implement arboreta projects and support Trees Atlanta’s mission.
- Connect citizens, neighborhood arboretum leaders, and city leaders through facilitated discussion and networking. We will create a cohort of tree advocates and supporters!
The objectives of the Conference:
- Provide background and accomplishments of BeltLine Arboretum and Neigborhood Arboreta programs.
- Discuss opportunities for getting involved and upcoming events (such as tree walks, maintenance days, and more).
- Learn how to leverage a neighborhood arboretum as a neighborhood asset and attraction.
- Understand arboreta themes and collections, and how to properly document them.
- Discuss the importance of biodiversity.
- Learn basic tree care needs.
- Hear from keynote speakers and professional horticulturalists.
- Facilitate learning, dialog, and feedback that address current and future program needs. Arboreta leaders will exchange successes and challenges in an open forum.
- Take a walking tour of the Inman Park arboretum.
The Arboretum Conference will take place on May 22nd, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. You can get all the details and register online right now on the Trees Atlanta website!
Thanks to Robby Astrove with Trees Atlanta for sending this along!
Posted in Education, Events, Trees, Volunteer | Tagged: Arboretum Conference, BeltLine arboretum, Georgia native trees, Trees Atlanta arboretum, Trees Atlanta events, urban forest, West End arboretum | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on February 17, 2010
Luckily, the Atlanta Wine School is here to answer all of your questions about green wine! I know this is short notice, but AWS and the Green Chamber of the South will be hosting a special seminar tomorrow night to go over what justifies an organic wine, how to identify vegan wines, sustainable agriculture practices within the wine industry, and the impact of sulfites in wine. Chances are, there will be a tasting or two as well…
- What: What it Means to be Green in Wine
- When: Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 7 – 9 p.m.
- Where: in The Wine Room of the Atlanta Wine School at 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA 30076
- Cost: $39
- RSVP: Pre-registration for this event is required and you can register by clicking here!
Posted in Education | Tagged: Atlanta wine classes, Atlanta Wine School, Green Chamber of the South, green educational seminars, green wine, organic food Atlanta, organic wine, sustainable agriculture, vegan wine | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on February 15, 2010
On March 1st and 2nd, 2010, Southface Energy Institute will present their annual Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow: “Sustainable Communities by Design.” Taking place at the Sheraton Atlanta Downtown, this large southeast environmental event will feature four main tracks with which to focus your interest:
- The commercial track: greening campuses; high performance, eco-friendly office buildings; corporate sustainability; creating zero waste in the workplace; sustainable design; LEED for existing buildings; and the role of the lifecycle assessment
- The residential track: leverage the power of Earth Craft; the new Energy Star; water efficiency; integrating sustainble practices into multifamily development; embracing the value of new technologies
- The sustainable communities, economy, and policy track: new energy programs for Georgia; federal legislation and the southeast’s energy use; municipal sustainability efforts; green building programs; sustainable urbanism and emerging trends; green building sales and financing
- The workshops and seminar track: if you’re looking for continuing education credits, this is the route for you with a focus on sustainable development; renewable energy potential; advanced energy design guides; and historic preservation as sustainable practice
In addition, you get admission to the Greensprints Tradeshow with green products and services from across the southeast.
Register online now at www.Greenprints.org – pre-conference discount of $55 ends on Friday, February 19th!
Posted in Education, Environment, Events | Tagged: eco-friendly, Energy Star appliances, green building, Greenprints Conference, renewable energy, Southface Energy Institute, sustainable design, sustainable development | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on February 11, 2010
The forecast for snow may be deceiving, but spring is right around the corner! And the time is here to start planting – at least one tree – in honor of Arbor Day. Every year, Georgia celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday of every month, which is Friday, February 19th in 2010. Arbor Day in Atlanta wouldn’t be complete without Trees Atlanta and the trees of the Fernbank Science Center forest, which is why they’re teaming up to bring you two events on Saturday, February 20th.
Fernbank Science Center Arbor Day Tree Sale
From 8 a.m. until noon, the Fernbank Science Center will hold a plant sale with trees and shrubs in honor of Arbor Day. The sale will only go until noon, so make sure you get there in time. Click here for a map of the Science Center’s location. Their plant sales are usually in the back parking lot to the right of the building, but if you have any questions, you can contact Mary Larsen, Volunteer Coordinator at 678-874-7116 or larsenm@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
Atlanta’s Champion Tree Search & Walk
Calling all Atlanta Champion Trees! Trees Atlanta is now accepting big tree nominations for the Atlanta Champion Tree Search. Unsure how to evaluate a big tree? This weekend on February 13, 2010, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Robby of Trees Atlanta along with Fernbank Museum of Natural History will be conducting a guided walk through the Fernbank forest to practice identifying and measuring trees! Please RSVP for the workshop by emailing Robby at robby@treesatlanta.org.
Other Arbor Day events
The tree celebration continues with Trees Atlanta’s free-and-open-to-the-public Arbor Day Photography Exhibit on Friday, February 19, 2010 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Photo will feature tree images by noted Atlanta photographers Kathryn Kolb and David Knox. So mark your calendar and head to the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316. The opening will serve as the official launch party for their”My Favorite Tree” Photo Contest, sponsored by a grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Check the Trees Atlanta website for info on applications and contest details – coming soon!
Posted in Education, Gardening, Trees | Tagged: Arbor Day Photography Exhibit, Atlanta plant sales, Atlanta tree sales, Champion Tree Walk, Fernbank Forest, Fernbank Natural History Museum, Fernbank Science Center, Trees Atlanta | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on January 31, 2010
Below, you’ll find a press release from Southeast Green about their upcoming GREEN Real Estate Summit next month!
Southeast Green is pleased to announce its partnership with BOMA-Atlanta to present the inaugural GREEN Real Estate Summit, held Feb. 16 and 17, 2010 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta. As the first meeting of its kind in the state of Georgia, the Summit brings together commercial real estate owners, property managers, facility managers, building engineers and companies providing green products and services to learn about the benefits of utilizing sustainable practices. Specifically, the event will focus on sustainable operations and maintenance of existing buildings.
The Summit will feature educational seminars equipping you with the knowledge and skills you need to go green successfully. Session topics include presentations about ENERGY STAR®; creating buy-ins for green programs; taking advantage of low-cost/no-cost ways to green-fit your building; dispelling “green” myths; analyzing the ROI of going green; and much, much more. Every session will include three take-aways you can implement at your property.
Visit the GREEN Real Estate Summit website to view the summit schedule, session descriptions and speaker bios. Exhibitor and sponsor information are also available.
Don’t miss out on this educational opportunity – register online today! Late fees apply after February 5th.
For more information or if you have specific questions about the GREEN Real Estate Summit, please contact BOMA-Atlanta at (404) 475-9980, Sandra Cummins at sandra@southeastgreen.com, or Beth Bond at beth@southeastgreen.com.
Posted in Education, Environment, Events | Tagged: BOMA-Atlanta, Energy Star appliances, green building, green educational seminars, green products, green real estate, GREEN Real Estate Seminar, Southeast Green, sustainable design | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on January 12, 2010
Mark your calendar – next week is a free-to-the-public “Sustainable Transportation Forum” hosted by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta and Georgia Tech. Why is Switzerland talking to us about transportation? Because the Swiss have long since figured out the intricacies and efficiencies of public transit and are here to share with us Georgians.
Local and international transportation experts, business leaders and policy makers will explore solutions to Georgia’s growing transportation challenges in a three-part program covering:
- The Future of Georgia’s Transportation Grid
- What Choices Do We Have?
- Where Do We Go From Here?
Expert presentations will forecast our future traffic capacity and transportation demands. Outstanding examples of sustainable transportation solutions from Switzerland – a world leader in passenger rail – will be highlighted. Political realities and financial constraints will also be explored.
What: Sustainable Transportation Forum: Georgia Officials Look to Switzerland for Transportation Solutions
When: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 1:00 – 5:30 pm
Where: Technology Square Research Building at Centergy, 85 Fifth Street in Midtown Atlanta (map it!)
Getting there: Walk from the Midtown MARTA Station or park at Georgia Tech Conference Center on Spring Street.
Register now at www.thinkrail.org!
Posted in Education, Transportation | Tagged: alternate transportation, Atlanta commuter rail, Atlanta transportation initiatives, environmental events, public transit, public transportation, Sustainable Transportation Forum, Swiss Consulate Atlanta, traffic solutions | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Our Green Atlanta on December 20, 2009
Are you looking to get your garden off to a great start in 2010? You can start planning now – whether you’re anticipating a vegetable garden, excited about landscaping, or angling for a rose garden, the DeKalb County Extension Service has everything you need to get started or increase your current knowledge base! Below is the schedule of DeKalb County’s 2010 gardening classes, “Gardening for Food, Fitness, and Fun.” You can find a registration form and more info in their PDF brochure here! Be sure to register early!
Gardening Series 2010 – Gardening for Food, Fitness & Fun
- All classes are at 4380 Memorial Dr., Decatur, GA 30032
- Cost is $10 per class if you pay at door or get all 7 for $50 if you pay in advance through the mail
- First 50 registered are guaranteed a seat.
- For more information or to request a printed copy of the brochure, please call 404-298-4080. You can also visit www.dekalbextension.com.
Class #1 - January (Thursday), 2010 from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Understanding soils” | Speaker: Walter Reeves | WSB radio, speaker and writer will tell you about soils
“Basics of composting” | Speaker: Dr. Jim Spotts | well known agronomist, master gardener and King of Compost will share his famous composting secrets
Class #2 – February 2 (Tuesday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Basic Vegetable Gardening” | how to start and what to grow | Speaker: Bob Westerfield, University of Georgia Home Gardening Specialist.
Class #3 – February 16 (Tuesday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Growing Specialty Vegetables” | emphasizing crops that are popular in other parts of the world but that will grow well in Georgia.
Class #4 – February 23 (Tuesday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Identifying and Limiting Common Pests & Diseases of Vegetables” | Speaker: Gary Peiffer, DeKalb Extension Agent and Horticulture Manager
Class #5 – March 18 (Thursday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Roses and Their Care” | Speaker: Stan Leacock, a well known local rosarian who cares for roses every day in his business and at his home.
Class #6 – April 20 (Tuesday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Using Color in the Landscape and Color Trends 2010″ | Speaker: Tara Dillard, local, well known speaker, designer and garden writer. Tara knows plants and design and she presents her subjects with great wit and enthusiasm.
Class #7 – May 18 (Tuesday), from 7 to 8:30 PM
“Tropical Plants to Know and Grow” | There are many wonderful tropical plants that will do well in the Atlanta area with the right conditions and the right kind of care. Speaker: Dr. Bodie Pennisi, University of Georgia, Horticulture Specialist in Griffin, GA. Dr. Pennisi is an expert in her field and she works closely with our Georgia commercial plant producers.
Posted in Education, Gardening | Tagged: Atlanta gardening classes, composting, Decatur gardening classes, DeKalb Extension Service, Georgia native plants, landscape color, rose care, tropical plants in Atlanta, vegetable gardens, vegetable pests | 2 Comments »
