Calendar – Group Meetings 2009
Come Join Us!
Our meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month and begin at 7:00 pm (except July picnic).
Location: Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE. (except July picnic) [directions & map]
Why Did You Take That Photo? - and - Pot Luck Dinner
Have you ever really thought about what goes on in your head as you decide which "shot" to take? Listen to photography expert Larry Winslett
explore "why" we take the photos we do, considering the effects of place, angle, time, and light. He'll talk about what elements go into the composition of a photograph, including technical issues and our emotional responses, and he'll show us some of his outstanding photography. Join us and become a better photographer. Larry Winslettnew window is a nature photographer, environmentalist, exhibitor, and along with his wife, Julie, co-authors the recently published book, Wildflowers of Stone Mountain. His work has been featured in Sierra, Wilderness, and Wild Mountain Times, and is currently on exhibit at Stone Mountain Park at the new Environmental Education Center.
PLUS Winter Pot Luck - bring a dish to share. We will provide a ham or turkey, drinks, plates, utensils, etc - or bring your own and save the landfill. Dinner at 7PM, doors open at 6:30.
Metro Atlanta Executive Committee meetings: First MONDAY of every month (except September). Caramba Cafe – 1409 N Highland Ave NE #D, Atlanta. Come with your ideas and join us for planning, discussion, dinner, and dreaming.
Program Schedule – 2009
January 13, 2009 – Adopt-A-Stream: What Is It and Why Is It Important to You? Learn about the issues regarding our water quality and how Atlanta Group members are taking action to monitor water quality. Join us as we listen to Sharon Smith of Fulton County Public Works Water Services Division describes how the cooperative program between county and Sierra Club makes an impact on our water supply. Get trained yourself, or join those already trained to monitor an Atlanta area stream.
Biography: Sharon Smith is originally from Knoxville, TN, where she obtained a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Tennessee. She currently serves as an Environmental Education Coordinator in Fulton County, a position she has held since 1998. Sharon coordinates the Adopt-A-Stream and other educational programs.
February 10, 2009 – Sierra Club lobbyist Neill Herring and Legislative Chair Mark Woodall will give the 2009 Georgia General Assembly update. In their annual report to the Atlanta Group members, Mark and Neill will detail the status of environmental bills in the legislature; who are the power players that will have an impact; and what are the prospects for the bills we support. They will also recommend actions that each member can take. Big issues in this year's legislature promise to be transportation - especially mass transportation, and water conservation.
Biography: Neill Herring has been the Sierra Club lobbyist for over 20 years - he KNOWS the legislature. Mark Woodall is the volunteer Legislative Chair for the Georgia Chapter, and the Vice Chair of the Georgia Sierra Club Executive Committee.
March 10, 2009 – Grow the 10 Most Popular Vegetables in Your Yard. How do you get the freshest vegetables? Start (or expand) your own vegetable garden! Learn from an expert - Stephanie Van Parys - Director of the Oakhurst Community Garden - the steps in planting 10 of the most popular vegetables in your own yard. Be a part of the local, sustainable food movement and never leave your house!
April 14, 2009 – Note: This meeting cancelled due to a power outage. Biking and Walking Plans for Decatur.
May 12, 2009 – Clayton County's Wetlands: The Ultimate Recycling for Water: You've heard about it on National Public Radio, read about it in national publications, now come see for yourself what all the fuss is about. Clayton County uses wetlands to treat municipal waste water, and through nature's ultimate recycling, eventually recharges their water supply reservoir. As a result, Clayton County has had few water supply problems throughout the drought than has the rest of Metro Atlanta. Mike Thomas is the Manager of this fantastic system and has worked for Clayton County Water Authority for 10 years, and worked in water resources management for 24 years. He also served as President of Georgia Association of Water Professionals in 2005 and is a Graduate of Class V of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL).
June 9, 2009 – Your Backyard Habitat: This informative talk will educate you in the basic principles for creating a backyard habitat of your own. You will learn about what not to do and what you must do in your yard to first attract and then support wildlife here in Decatur. Come and be inspired to do more for our birds and wildlife - it is easy and very rewarding. Jacqueline McRae, an Atlanta resident for over twenty years just loves to be outdoors! Jacqueline grew up in rural England with very keen bird watching parents but now lives here in the city. She is in charge of the Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Certification Program, volunteers in the Native Botanical Garden at Georgia Perimeter College and helps at the Georgia Native Plant Society. Through the backyard wildlife program Jacqueline has seen the creation of many simple and successful wildlife sanctuaries in the Decatur area created by people just like you and would love to answer any questions you might have.
July 2009 Annual Picnic at Candler Park, corner of McClendon and Candler Park Drive. Bring a food dish to share. The Atlanta Group will provide drinks, utensils, etc - OR be conscientious and bring your own plates and utensils. You may come as early as 6:30 pm. (NOTE LOCATION AND TIME CHANGE)
August 11, 2009 – Building Trails in National Parks. Gary Monk and Dave Thomas will discuss the National Park Service trail building process and plans for trails along the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. These trails, while in a suburban area, offer Atlantans the opportunity to enjoy a natural environment that is easily accessible. The Chattahoochee River NRA is truly a gem for the Greater Atlanta area offering miles of trails as well as access to the River itself.
Gary Monk is President of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club; Certified NPS Crew Leader; certified sawyer; 4000+ hours of trail work in the last five years. Dave Thomas is a ranger with the National Park Service.
September 8, 2009 – Will Atlanta have a Beltline? - Beltline Environmental Study Team. If so, what will be the environmental impact? Find out the latest progress of the Beltline.
The Atlanta BeltLine is a $2.8 billion redevelopment project that will shape the way Atlanta grows over the next 25 years and beyond. The project provides a network of transit, multi-use trails and public parks along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown and connecting many neighborhoods directly to each other. The BeltLine is the most comprehensive economic development effort ever undertaken in the City of Atlanta and among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment projects currently underway in the United States.
The BeltLine Corridor Environmental Study is the portion of the BeltLine that seeks to identify environmental impacts to human, cultural and environmental resources. Your input along with input from local, state and federal agencies will result in a defined transit alignment, location for stations and trail connections.
Come learn about the major components of the BeltLine and give us your comments. We will have display boards, handout materials, and the study team available to hear your opinions and to answer your questions.
October 13, 2009 – Let the Sun Pay Your Electric Bills. Have you ever thought about installing solar panels? What are the pros? The cons? Do they really work? What would they look like on your home? How much does it cost? What is the payback? Are you really helping the environment? Learn this and more and have all of your questions answered by our knowledgeable speaker.
Speaker: Rand Knight was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 with a very "green" platform. Currently, Rand is a Scientist for the National Ecological Observatory Network. He is a long time volunteer for the Sierra Club and works with many organizations to direct their efforts in renewable energy, green jobs and sustainability. Rand states that a turning point in his life occurred in 1988 when he left Westminster for one semester to attend an environmental program (Maine Coast Semester at the Chewonki Foundation) - he said "it changed my life".
November 10, 2009 – Biking and Walking Plans for Decatur. Learn about the Decatur Transportation Plan and how it includes plans for making biking and walking more viable as modes of transportation. The plan, which was approved by the City of Decatur in the Fall of 2008, provides plans to make it easier to walk and bike. Don't miss Fred Boykin, Decatur City Councilman and owner of Bicycle South, who will discuss these exciting plans.
December 8, 2009 – "Why Did You Take That Photo?" and Winter Pot Luck Dinner. Have you ever really thought about what goes on in your head as you decide which "shot" to take? Listen to photography expert Larry Winslett explore "why" we take the photos we do, considering the effects of place, angle, time, and light. He'll talk about what elements go into the composition of a photograph, including technical issues and our emotional responses, and he'll show us some of his outstanding photography. Join us and become a better photographer. Larry Winslett is a nature photographer, environmentalist, exhibitor, and along with his wife, Julie, co-authors the recently published book, Wildflowers of Stone Mountain. His work has been featured in Sierra, Wilderness, and Wild Mountain Times, and is currently on exhibit at Stone Mountain Park at the new Environmental Education Center.
PLUS Winter Pot Luck - bring a dish to share. We will provide a ham or turkey, drinks, plates, utensils, etc - or bring your own and save the landfill. Dinner at 7PM, doors open at 6:30.