Birds of Prey Program at Sams Lake Saturday Nov. 6th

Hosted by Southern Conservation Trust

Southern Conservation Trust presents Dale Arrowood and his Winged Ambassadors at Sams Lake Sanctuary on Saturday afternoon November 6th.

The Winged Ambassadors are a group of trained non-releasable birds of prey that will perform soaring free flight demonstrations over the wetlands. Master Falconer Dale Arrowood will showcase the differences and similarities between a variety of raptor and owl families.

Birds will include Quasimodo the black vulture, various species of owls, several hawks and a pair of kookaburras native to Australia. Don’t miss the gorgeous Gyr falcon, the largest falcon that is most popular for hunting. These birds are not “trick animals” - they simply do what comes naturally to them.

Sams Lake Sanctuary, a restored wetland habitat and certified wildlife sanctuary, is owned and managed by Southern Conservation Trust, a non-profit community land trust based in Fayette County. It is open dawn to dusk and is the home of deer, wild turkey, beaver, and many birds. Sams Lake is on Old Senoia Road, south of Redwine Road just outside Fayetteville.

This exciting and educational program begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 6th, weather permitting. Bring your camera to capture close-ups of these majestic birds. Donations will be requested for Winged Ambassadors Environmental for care of the birds.

For more information and directions, visit the Trust’s website sctlandtrust.org, call 770-486-7774 or
email info@sctlandtrust.org
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$1.9 Billion – Amount Buying Locally Grown Produce Sales Would Pump Into Georgia’s Economy, Study Says

For the first time we can begin to paint a picture of the impact that buying locally grown produce would have on Georgia’s economy, thanks to research conducted by the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

The study, “The Local Food Impact: What if Georgians Ate Georgia Produce?” reports that, if each of the approximately 3.7 million households in the state devoted $10 per week to produce grown in Georgia, more than $1.9 billion would be pumped back into the state’s economy.

And for every 5 percent increase in local produce purchasing, the state would see 345 additional jobs, $43.7 million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income.

“These findings are some of the strongest demonstrations so far of what a small change in consumer behavior could mean for farmers, and for the entire state,” says Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls. “More than that, I hope this study gets leaders state-wide asking why we don’t see every day foods for our Southern diets growing in the fields of Georgia.”

The study also found that Georgians eat less than the national average of locally grown food. The study’s authors generated scenarios that approximate what agriculture production would be like if Georgians consumed the national average of locally grown food. Currently, direct farmer to consumer sales contribute 132 jobs, $4.5 million in labor income, and $14.4 million in sales.

If Georgia produce farmers increased direct farm-to-consumer produce sales to the national average level, the result would be an overall statewide contribution of 228 jobs, $8.1 million in labor income, and $25.8 million in sales.

In addition, study authors analyzed the potential of individual crops by comparing the amount that average Georgians eat, and the amount that Georgia farmers grow.

They found, for example, the average Georgian eats about 30 pounds of fresh lettuce per year, or about 285 million pounds state-wide. Yet the state produces less than 245,000 pounds per year, which is less than one-tenth of one percent of the amount of lettuce that Georgians consume. Closing that gap would generate an additional $83.6 million in lettuce sales.

Similarly, there are major gaps for other produce, including a $228 million gap for apples, a $62 million gap for bell peppers, a $46 million gap for a broccoli, a $12.8 million gap for carrots, a $124 million gap for pecans, a $235 million gap for tomatoes, and a $93 million gap for watermelon.

“Looking at the quantity of foods directly marketed in Georgia, there is a tremendous opportunity there,” says author study Kent Wolfe, agricultural economist with the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. “Georgia’s food product sales directly to consumers account for a small fraction of their total sales. Farmers get to keep a larger percentage of their food dollar when they sell directly to stores, restaurants or other consumers.”

According to the 2007 Agricultural Census, Georgia’s direct sales accounted for .18 percent of their total sales. Rhode Island sold 9.5 percent of its agricultural products directly to consumers and Massachusetts sold 8.5 percent through direct sales.

To access the entire study, which was funded by the Center of Innovation for Agribusiness along with the other partners, click here.
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Southern Company Extends Support of Major Conservation Programs

/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company today announced that it is pledging an additional $1.08 million to the Five Star Restoration and Power of Flight programs, extending its sponsorship of both conservation programs through 2013. The extended support aligns their sponsorship timelines with Longleaf Legacy, Southern Company's third major environmental stewardship program that helps restore the longleaf pine ecosystem.

"Southern Company is proud to pledge additional funding and support for these important programs and extend our commitment to environmental stewardship throughout our Southeastern community," said Chris Hobson, chief environmental officer at Southern Company. "We look forward to building upon our longstanding partnerships with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Association of Counties, and many other conservation organizations and community partners to further strengthen efforts to protect and enhance our environment."

The Power of Flight program, conserving Southern birds and their habitats, is the largest public agency-private corporation funding effort for bird conservation in the South. This new pledge secures one additional year of funding for projects to the existing 10-year commitment. Efforts span Southern Company's primary service area of Georgia, Alabama, northwestern Florida and southeastern Mississippi.

"Southern Company's support of our work to better conserve the Southeast's fish and wildlife resources has been as consistent as it has been generous," said Jeff Trandahl, NFWF executive director. "The company's unwavering commitment to bettering the fish and wildlife resources of the Southeast has made possible numerous projects, benefiting ecosystems from the coast to the highlands."

The Five Star Restoration Program provides grants and technical support for community-based education and outreach projects in riparian (land-bordering waterways), coastal or wetland areas. Southern Company began its sponsorship of the Five Star Restoration Program in 2006, pledging a five-year $1.2 million commitment. This new pledge adds three years of support to help build local community capacity for resource stewardship and ecological restoration in watersheds through hands-on community involvement, outreach and education. As the Southeastern corporate sponsor, Southern Company joins EPA, NFWF, NACo and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) in selecting and funding Five Star projects.

"EPA commends Southern Company's support as a corporate sponsor of the Five Star Restoration Program," said Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator, EPA Region 4. "This support will enable EPA to provide challenge grants, technical support and information to promote community-based wetland and stream restoration projects across the Southeast."

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an independent conservation leader that in 25 years has awarded 10,800 grants to more than 3,700 organizations. By building partnerships, the congressionally chartered Foundation has leveraged $635 million into $1.5 billion to sustain, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant populations.

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Conserve Georgia Renews Commitment To Creating a Culture of Conservation

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Clark Unveils Web Site and Social Media Program at Georgia Environmental Conference

Note: Hopefully this is one of those "better late than never" stories... we missed it back on Aug. 27th but thought it was worth sliding on here. Wish we'd watched our inbox a little closer that day! - NFNG

Conserve Georgia, Governor Perdue’s statewide initiative charged with helping create a culture of conservation throughout Georgia, is renewing its call to preserve the state’s natural resources at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual Georgia Environmental Conference in Savannah. An updated www.ConserveGeorgia.org Web site, a new social media program, and outreach plans for local government and business organizations are being introduced to business and civic leaders from throughout the state.

“Georgia’s natural resources are finite and precious, so we must all do our part to preserve them for future generations,” said Chris Clark, Chair of the Conserve Georgia Council and Commissioner of Natural Resources. “Whether you’re interested in recycling, land management, air quality, wildlife, or water and energy conservation, ConserveGeorgia.org is a single portal to find information about caring for and enjoying our state’s natural resources. In order to better communicate with Georgians, we also have started communicating directly through our new Facebook page.”

Conserve Georgia is a public information program that is composed of 10 state partner agencies which manage dozens of conservation-oriented programs, ranging from the Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia to waterSmart. Conserve Georgia also is working through the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), the regional growth authorities, and youth organizations to inform Georgians about the program and how their members can take a more active part in preserving Georgia.

Some of the programs that Conserve Georgia brings together include:

· Backyard Composting, Zero Waste at Work and regional recycling collection hubs that are operated through the Georgia Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA);

· Wildlife, forest, coastal, water, air and land management and preservation programs that are managed and operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its Environmental Protection Division (EPD);

· The Governor’s Energy Challenge, which directs all state agencies to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by 2020 and has challenged Georgia businesses, local governments and citizens to do the same, and the funding of conservation and green energy initiatives through the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), including projects that receive dollars from the federal stimulus program; and

· The Georgia Department of Transportation’s (Georgia DOT) Adopt-A-Highway, Litter Control and Wildflower programs.

“The choices we make as individuals have a significant, collective impact on our state’s natural resources,” continued Clark. “That’s why Governor Perdue and the Conserve Georgia partner agencies are challenging all Georgians to participate in conservation programs.”

Visitors to www.ConserveGeorgia.org can access dozens of state and public/private conservation initiatives while navigating through 3-D scenes of Georgia’s varied natural environment: urban life, rural Georgia, the north Georgia mountains and coastal Georgia. The site is user-driven, allowing each visitor to select the kind of content they want to see based on their interest as an individual, business, educator, agribusiness or local government entity.

3-D elements provide a virtual-world experience complete with the ability to have some virtual fun – visitors can watch crops grow during the irrigation process, throw another log on the campfire, or pick up trash and deposit it in a receptacle. The site’s functionality is designed to get Georgians more engaged, form a tighter connection with Conserve Georgia and retain more information.

Conserve Georgia’s new presence on Facebook.com also engages Georgians in an online environment in which they are already currently active. Georgians who become a “fan” of Conserve Georgia on Facebook.com will receive information about conservation-related events and programs as well as seasonal conservation tips.

Conserve Georgia partner agencies include the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the University System of Georgia (USG), the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), the Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

A Culture of ConservationThe Conserve Georgia program was developed to foster a culture of conservation throughout the state of Georgia. Nearly a dozen state agencies and authorities are working together with businesses, civic leaders, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and residents to make Georgia’s air, land, water, energy and wildlife resources more sustainable now and for generations to come. The program’s Web site – www.ConserveGeorgia.org – serves as a portal to help Georgians find information on a wide range of conservation resources and programs.
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Terrance B. Gratton Receives the 2009 Walter F. Snyder Award

Award Recognizes Outstanding Achievement in Advancing Environmental Health

NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) announced recently that Terrance B. Gratton, Dr.P.H., D.A.A.S., R.S. was the recipient of the 2009 Walter F. Snyder Award. Dr. Gratton was presented with the award at NEHA’s 73rd Annual Educational Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 21, 2009.

This prestigious award, given in honor of NSF's co-founder and first Executive Director, is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of environment health. Dr. Gratton was recognized for his 40-year career within the San Antonio, Texas, Metropolitan Health Department, the U.S. Public Health Service and the University of North Texas School of Public Health.

“Dr. Gratton’s contributions to the environmental health profession have left a lasting positive impact in areas such as education, training and sanitation,” said Kevan P. Lawlor, NSF President and CEO. “It is his outstanding leadership and dedication to environmental health that resonate with the principles of Walter F. Snyder, and what make him an ideal recipient of the 2009 Walter F. Snyder Award.”

Early in his career, Dr. Gratton was employed as a sanitarian with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department (SAMHD), where he worked to improve and implement food establishment inspections in the lower income areas of the city. He was then promoted to the engineering section of SAMHD, where his primary responsibility was the inspection of daycare facilities, institutions and nursing homes. He later became the chief trainer of new sanitarians, where he taught food codes and San Antonio Metropolitan Health ordinances, improving the overall education and quality of sanitarians’ work with environmental health issues.

He joined the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service in 1977. During his career with the U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. Gratton spent 18 years with the Indian Health Service in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arizona, and five years with the Bureau of Prisons in Fort Worth, Texas. Throughout his tenure with the Indian Health Service, Dr. Gratton’s leadership and determination led him to organize and implement several environmental improvement projects, which provided quality of life improvements to tribes in his jurisdiction.

“Dr. Gratton has long been involved in environmental health activities at the local, state, and national levels and always with great devotion to the people whose lives were being affected by poor environmental quality,” said Nelson Fabian, NEHA Executive Director. “His dedication to IHS over the last 18 years improved the lives of thousands of families living on the reservations. It is because of contributions like this and his outstanding leadership that Dr. Gratton is receiving the 2009 Walter F. Snyder Award.”

Many of Dr. Gratton’s contributions to environmental health have been demonstrated through his dedication to education and research. After retiring from the U.S. Public Health Service in 2000, Dr. Gratton turned his attention to educating the next generation of public health service leaders. As a full-time faculty member at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of North Texas Health and Science Center School of Public Health, Dr. Gratton teaches the environmental health core courses for the Master of Public Health program and the environmental determinants core courses for the Ph.D. program.

“Terry is a strong leader, a talented educator and a role model for young sanitarians in Texas and across the U.S. Terry is generous with praise and never lacking for words of support,” said Steve Claybrook R.E.H.S., R.S., Past President of Texas Environmental Health Association.

Dr. Gratton serves on several institutional and academic committees, including Chair of the Health Science Center Safety Committee. He is a founding member of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society and has received the Public Health Student Association Award for outstanding contributions for service and events. He has also received an Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of North Texas School of Public Health.
For more information about the Walter F. Snyder Award and previous winners, visit NSF's Web site.

About NEHA: The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is a national professional society that represents the profession and practice of environmental health (www.neha.org).

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.
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Get Started Composting At Home In Time For Earth Day

(StatePoint) With Earth Day on the horizon, it's the perfect time to get the whole family involved in doing something at home for the good of the environment.

Composting is a great project to get you started going green: It's easy for the entire family, costs nothing, is simple to keep doing and can save you money on fertilizer.

A natural form of recycling, composting turns your organic garbage -- such as food waste, paper, disposable tableware, grass clippings, and much more -- into one of nature's best mulches for your garden or yard. By setting up a compost pile or bin, your family can take positive steps in reducing its carbon footprint while saving money on commercial fertilizers.

"The average American produces four pounds of landfill waste daily. That's more than 50 tons over a lifetime. About half of this waste is compostable, which means we have fantastic opportunities to put our garbage to use to help save the planet," says Julie Stoetzer, brand manager and environmental expert for Chinet disposable tableware.

And with gardening the number one pastime in America, all that waste can be added to yards to improve soil fertility and root development in plants and grass.

Here are simple steps from Stoetzer and the experts at Huhtamaki, the makers of Chinet, to get underway composting:

* Select a convenient spot. It should be semi-shaded and well drained. Don't put your compost pile under acid producing trees like pines. If you do not have space for an outdoor pile, use a bin indoors which can be purchased or made at home.

* Combine organic wastes such as yard trimmings, food wastes and biodegradable paper plates into a pile. Add bulking agents such as wood chips to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials, allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process.

* When choosing disposable tableware such as plates, bowls and platters, select those made of 100 percent pre-consumer recycled content, such as Chinet Casuals and Chinet Classic White lines that also are biodegradable in home composting.

* A properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents and won't smell badly.

* Typical compost will turn into rich soil in two to five weeks. Use compost in home gardening or donate it to city or public benefit projects.

* Examples of what can be composted: Cardboard rolls, clean paper, biodegradable disposable tableware, fruits and vegetables, yard trimmings, coffee grounds and filters, dryer and vacuum cleaner lint, eggshells, fireplace ashes, hair and fur and tea bags.

Items that should NOT be composted:

* Coal or charcoal ash which may contain substances harmful to plants.

* Dairy products such as butter, egg yolks and milk, which can create odor problems and attract pests.

* Meat or fish bones and scraps may contain parasites, bacteria and germs. Fats, grease, lard and oils which can create odor problems.

* Diseased or insect-ridden plants that can contaminate other vegetation. Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides may kill beneficial composting organisms.

"Composting is a simple solution to reduce the waste your family puts into a landfill. We kept this in mind when developing premium disposable Chinet tableware, using recycled materials that otherwise would have gone into a landfill, to produce new biodegradable plates and bowls," stresses Stoetzer.

For more tips on composting and other environmental activities, visit www.mychinet.com and click on "Environment."

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Statewide Survey Reveals Support and Demand is Strong for Recycling Programs

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When it comes to the environment, Georgians get it! According to a statewide survey, conducted by Responsive Management and commissioned by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the majority of Georgians do care about the environment and agree that they can make an impact through personal action.

Recycling also was seen as an effective way to help the environment. As a matter of fact, 97 percent of Georgians feel that recycling should be a high priority for their fellow residents. Findings provide insight into residents' awareness and attitudes about recycling. With extremely tight budgets available to promote recycling, the survey results will serve as the foundation for developing a very targeted and cost-effective statewide recycling education campaign.

"We were pleasantly surprised to hear that 67 percent of Georgians strongly agree that they personally can have an impact on the environment by recycling," said Randy Hartmann, Director of DCA's Office of Environmental Management. "The research reaffirms our belief that people do want to make a difference and believe they can, by taking a small step like recycling. We know we have work to do to increase recycling rates throughout the state, but this is a great place to start."

Recycling Behavior and Barriers

When it comes to current recycling behavior, the good news is that a whopping 84 percent of Georgia residents have recycled something in the past 12 months. In addition, 82 percent of Georgians also admitted to feeling guilty when they throw away an item that could have been recycled. The bad news is that only 58 percent say they recycle always or often, with 21 percent recycling only sometimes and 22 percent doing so rarely or never.

A primary barrier to recycling in Georgia is the lack of curbside collection in many communities. Only two in five Georgia residents (41 percent) say they live in a community that offers curbside or bin pickup recycling. And 90 percent said they would recycle if it "were easier to do."

"We know that curbside is the most convenient way to recycle. This survey showed us that when communities lack these programs many would-be recyclers are deterred," says Hartmann. "Many communities offer alternative programs such as drop-off and workplace recycling, programs that many use. But convenience still plays a role, and having a program at your front door, literally, is the most effective option for the average resident."

The survey further revealed the extent to which accessibility to programs impacts where and how much Georgians recycle. More specifically:

-- 70 percent of residents with curbside recycling take advantage of the
program and recycle.
-- Meanwhile, when asked of those WITHOUT curbside access, only 45
percent recycle "always" or "often."
-- Not surprisingly, 55 percent of those without curbside access
strongly or moderately agree that not having a program is a source
of frustration for them.
-- Two-thirds of Georgia residents take recyclables to drop-off sites
(even if only once a year). Among those who do not have curbside
recycling available, 89 percent take recyclables to drop-off sites,
even if only about once a year.
-- The average distance a resident drives to a drop-off location is 6
miles.
-- 42 percent of Georgians who have recycled in the past 12 months and
who work outside of home say they always recycle at work, with 31
percent saying often or sometimes; 16 percent never recycle at work.


"The global economic crisis has hit recycling markets hard. Yet, despite recent volatility, communities can rest assured there is strong demand for programs," says Gloria Hardegree, Executive Director for the Georgia Recycling Coalition. "When 76 percent of Georgians without a curbside program say they would be very likely to participate in a program if it were offered, that is a statistic that cannot be ignored."

Need for Education

The survey also indicated that lack of ongoing education is keeping many Georgians from participating; suggesting communities need to improve their communications efforts. Specifically, more than half of Georgians say they would be "very likely" to recycle or recycle more if they received more information about recycling in their community, indicating that knowledge increases participation in recycling.

"The results of this survey gave us a positive direction regarding recycling in Georgia. Georgians, as a whole, may not need as much 'convincing' as we initially thought to understand the benefits of recycling," says Lena Davie, Vice President of Hill & Knowlton, the public relations firm hired by DCA to help promote recycling to Georgia residents. "Instead of focusing on the 'why recycle?' we need to make recycling more personal. It's not about adding complications to their daily life, it's about showing them how easily recycling can become a habit and how folks who don't want to participate are really not the norm."

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Yellow School Buses: Greener Than Many Think

(NAPSI)-Here's good news about the environment that may surprise you: The nation's yellow school buses are turning green as the industry actively works to reduce emissions through positive environmental initiatives.

Many people overlook the inherent environmental advantage of school buses. It's estimated that every school bus replaces an average of 36 passenger cars. With more than 480,000 school buses out each day, nearly 17.3 million fewer vehicles are needed to transport kids to and from school.

Recent advances in school bus engine technology have created more environmental advantages. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says heavy-duty trucks and buses will soon reduce particulates by 90 percent.

"Not only are school buses the safest form of transportation for our students, they are more efficient than ever," said Mike Murray, CEO of FirstGroup America, the nation's largest provider of school transportation. "By continuously investing in our fleet, adopting new technologies, exploring alternative fuels and enacting the right policies, we significantly reduce bus emissions."

Reduced Idling

Even the little things make a difference. Drivers are trained to adhere to a no-idling policy, which requires them to turn off idling buses after no more than five minutes, unless weather conditions make it unsafe. Drivers are also trained to keep tires inflated at the proper pressure and follow the most fuel-efficient route possible.

Better Buses

School bus manufacturers are also working to improve technology to meet progressively stringent emissions standards. For example, new school bus engines from IC Bus reduce particulate matter by 90 percent and nitrogen oxide by 50 percent compared to previous emissions standards. John McKinney, president of IC Bus, notes, "By next year, our engines will even further reduce emissions and be fully compliant to the 2010 standards."

Further Improvements

The school bus industry is doing more to reduce school bus emissions, including:

• Updating bus fleets with vehicles that research shows run 60 times cleaner than buses built before 1990;

• Retrofitting older buses with special exhaust filters to reduce diesel particulate matter by approximately 40 percent;

• Exploring the use of green technologies and alternative fuels, such as hybrid electric, biodiesel, propane or compressed natural gas;

• Keeping school buses at peak performance through rigorous preventative maintenance programs.

Learn More

For more information, visit www.firststudentinc.com.

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"Green Roofs" Help Students Make The Grade

NF Note: Everyday we stumble across articles which have some thought provoking ideas for helping our environment. We wonder if this idea would work in Fayette County.

(NAPSI)-From starting school wide recycling plans to cleaning up area parks, today's students get high marks when it comes to helping the environment. Now a new program may help their grades go through the roof.

The initiative teaches students in grades 6 to 8 about green roofs--a roof that replaces traditional roofing with a living environment of plants and soil.

Among the benefits they offer, green roofs remove pollutants from storm water and reduce the amount of water that flows into sewer systems. The plants also store excess carbon from the atmosphere, lower radiant heat in the summer and create habitats for local wildlife. Additionally, green roofs provide extra insulation to buildings and last two or three times longer than traditional roofs.

The program, called The Roof Is Growing!, is run by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). It provides a lesson plan, workbook and an online interactive program designed to engage students on how green roofs cool cities, clean the air, create habitats and control storm water.

Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the initiative is meant to inspire young students to think creatively and use their imaginations as future landscape architects or on any path they choose.

Of course, there are ways by which parents can get kids thinking green at home, too. Try these tips:

Make It Fun

Let your child decorate the recycling bins you have at home as you explain to her what items can and can't be recycled. You might even arrange for you and your child to tour the area recycling facility.

Take A Walk

Take your child for a walk in the woods to help him gain a greater appreciation of nature. If he has a favorite animal or habitat (deserts, jungles, etc.), encourage him to learn more at the library, at school and online.

Lead By Example

Be sure to recycle and take steps to protect the environment on your own. Setting a good example at home can help build Earth-friendly habits in kids that last a lifetime.

For more information, visit www.asla.org/greenroof.

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Five Easy Ways to Drive Green

(ARA) - It only takes a single car to substantially impact the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average car emits as much as 575 pounds of carbon monoxide into the air each year. Until automakers develop a more environmentally friendly automobile, it’s up to each driver to help reduce their car’s footprint on the planet.

Here are five easy ways to drive green without buying a new car or drastically changing your driving habits:

1. Simply follow the maintenance recommendations in your owner’s manual.
An out-of-tune engine can increase emissions and fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. Always follow your car manufacturer’s suggested tune-up schedule to ensure your vehicle is performing at its best.

2. Upgrade your motor oil.
Some of the newer high-performance synthetic motor oils have been proven to significantly reduce emissions. For instance, according to independent tests, Royal Purple motor oil has been shown to reduce carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 62 percent when compared to conventional petroleum-based oils. It also improves fuel economy by as much as 5 percent and produces notable horsepower and torque increases. So you can switch to an environmentally friendly product without giving up performance. More information is available at www.royalpurple.com.

3. Regularly replace your air filter. A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Air filters keep impurities from damaging the interior of the engine, so replacing dirty filters will save gas and protect your engine.

4. Keep the tires of your vehicle properly inflated.
The U.S. Energy Department reports that under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by up to 6 percent. One study estimates that 50 to 80 percent of the tires rolling on U.S. roads are under inflated. Astonishingly, we could save up to 2 billion gallons of gas each year simply by properly inflating our tires.

5. Avoid topping off your gas tank.
Topping off releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump’s anti-pollution devices. Capping your tank once the pump automatically shuts off is safer and reduces pollution.

To learn more about fuel efficiency and protecting the environment, the following have Web sites worth visiting:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site (www.epa.gov)

The U.S. Departments of Energy’s Web site dedicated to issues related to fuel economy
(www.fueleconomy.gov)

Royal Purple’s Web site (www.royalpurple.com)

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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New UGA Biomass Technology Dramatically Increases Ethanol Yield from Grasses and Yard Waste

University of Georgia researchers have developed a new technology that promises to dramatically increase the yield of ethanol from readily available non-food crops, such as Bermudagrass, switchgrass, Napiergrass—and even yard waste.

“Producing ethanol from renewable biomass sources such as grasses is desirable because they are potentially available in large quantities,” said Joy Peterson, professor of microbiology and chair of UGA’s Bioenergy Task Force. “Optimizing the breakdown of the plant fibers is critical to production of liquid transportation fuel via fermentation.” Peterson developed the new technology with former UGA microbiology student Sarah Kate Brandon, and Mark Eiteman, professor of biological and agricultural engineering.

The new technology features a fast, mild, acid-free pretreatment process that increases by at least 10 times the amount of simple sugars released from inexpensive biomass for conversion to ethanol. The technology effectively eliminates the use of expensive and environmentally unsafe chemicals currently used to pretreat biomass.

The technology is available for licensing from the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., which has filed a patent application.

Inexpensive waste products—including corn stover or bagasse, the waste from corn and sugar cane harvests, fast-growing weeds—and non-food crops grown for biofuel, such as switchgrass, Napiergrass and Bermudagrass, are widely viewed as the best sustainable resources for ethanol made from biofuels.

“Using non-food crops that can be grown on marginal lands, like grasses, and fibrous waste streams like corn stover, is important because of the ongoing food-versus-fuel debate,” said Peterson. “When agricultural crops, such as corn or potatoes, are grown for biofuels production, the cost of the starting material may fluctuate greatly because of competing demands for food and feed. The trade-off with using a biomass like grasses is that grasses are harder to break apart than corn or potatoes, and the cost of making the same fuel, like ethanol, rises.”

Developing an efficient, cost-effective process to convert the fibrous stalks, leaves, and blades of plant wastes into simple sugars is the biggest challenge to bio-based ethanol production. Thick, complex plant cell walls are highly resistant to efforts to break them down.

Currently, woody biomass requires soaking under high pressure and temperatures in expensive, environmentally aggressive bases or acids before it is subjected to enzymes that digest it, producing simple sugars. The harsh pretreatment solutions subsequently must be removed and disposed of safely. They also cause formation of side products that can slow down the conversion of the sugars into ethanol.

In contrast, the environmentally friendly UGA technology eliminates the expense of harsh pretreatment chemicals and their disposal, and the formation of side products is minimal.

“The new technology has commercial application for the biomass industry, including producers of sugar cane, corn, switchgrass, Napiergrass and other woody biomass crops,” said Gennaro Gama, UGARF technology manager responsible for licensing this technology. “It may also help renewable energy and biofermentation companies—and local governments.

“By allowing for the use of myriad raw materials, this technology allows more options for ethanol facilities trying to meet nearby demand by using locally available, inexpensive starting materials,” he added. “This would greatly reduce the costs and carbon footprint associated with the delivery of raw materials to fermentation facilities and the subsequent delivery of ethanol to points of sale. Local production of ethanol may also protect specific areas against speculative fluctuations in fuel prices.

“It’s easy to imagine that this easy-to-use, inexpensive technology could be used by local governments, alone or in partnership with entrepreneurs, to meet local demand for ethanol, possibly using yard waste as a substrate,” he said.

Five Environmental Questions Never Asked

(NAPSI)-Simple "green" living ideas are everywhere-from billboards to T-shirts-but there are less common, yet equally important, environmental issues.

1. What is the impact of composting?

Composting, the process of converting organic materials into soil, is a simple way to reduce garbage by one-third and preserve living organisms. According to Com posters.com, compostable waste makes up 30 percent of garbage in the United States. In 1999, the EPA recorded that 64 million tons of materials were saved from landfills by composting and recycling. Now, just think how much waste can be saved if composting becomes as common as recycling. Web sites such as Compost.org provide easy-to-use home-composting guides. Did you know tea bags, coffee grounds and corn husks can be composted?

2. Can print cartridges be recycled?

Yes. In fact, many manufacturers offer print cartridge recycling free of charge. For example, HP offers free recycling for its ink and toner cartridges through the HP Planet Partners program and makes sure all HP cartridges returned through Planet Partners are recycled and diverted from landfills. Many companies that refill or remanufacture print cartridges are private and not required to disclose end-of-life recycling processes. A Gartner Research study stated: "While the use of remanufactured supplies can reduce initial acquisition costs and prevent cartridges [from] going to landfills, organizations must understand that many remanufacturers do not have proper disposal practices, and their efforts may not be environmentally sound." No matter where you buy print cartridges, be sure to research the company's recycling policies and standards.

3. Paper or Plastic?

Many people know that plastic is harmful to the environment. Recently, the city of San Francisco implemented a ban on using non-recyclable plastic bags in grocery stores, saving nearly 5 million bags a month from landfills. Plastic bags are not the only villain; paper bags require more than double the amount of energy to manufacture and transport than plastic bags, according to the Environmental Literacy Council. The trend is catching on, and cities across the nation, such as Seattle, are working towards "green" fees for disposable bags and encouraging the use of reusable bags in grocery stores.

4. Is it important to purchase organic cleaners?

Harmful pollutants in cleaners put people at risk in their homes and negatively effect water and air quality. Organic cleaners have less toxicity, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are biodegradable. According to the EPA, cleaners with high VOC content contribute to smog formation. Ingredients containing phosphorus or nitrogen evaporate into the air and pollute bodies of water, affecting numerous wildlife species. It's important to think about organic cleaners when cleaning a home but also when searching for professional cleaning services such as housekeepers, car detailing and dry cleaning.

5. How do I know what can be recycled?

Understanding what can and cannot be recycled is a significant step toward helping the environment. Many people spend 40 hours a week sitting at a desk, where throwing away paper becomes habitual. Sticky notes can be recycled; tissues cannot. Food wrappers or soiled products cannot be recycled. Magazines, soda cans, juice bottles (both plastic and glass) and even most lotion bottles can be recycled. You may be surprised what can be recycled, even things without a recycle symbol can sometimes be recycled, such as dry cleaning wire hangers and worn-out tennis shoes. Web sites such as World.org provide simple recycling-education tools. Keep a "recycle only" container at your desk for one month. You may be surprised at how many workplace items are recyclable.

You can learn more online at EPA.gov and Compost.org.

Fun Ways To Get Kids To 'Act Green' At Home

NF note: Since the school year is winding down, we thought this article could inspire some of our children to learn more about ways to preserve our resources. Those who live in Peachtree City have an added advantage with golf carts. Why not challenge your tweenie to determine how much gasoline is saved when you use the golf cart for a week?

StatePoint- Whether it's through their parents, teachers, Al Gore or Leonardo DiCaprio, kids are hearing a lot about climate change and many want to know what they can do to help protect the environment.

In fact, kids ranked the environment as one of their top issues in a recent online poll by Scholastic News.

"One child's actions are just a blip in the global carbon budget, but one thousand kids riding their bikes or one million families lowering their thermostat are actions that register," said Mark Spencer, an environmental scientist from the University of California at Berkeley.

Getting kids to "Act Green" can be a fun family affair that everyone from the youngest family members to the oldest can enjoy together. Here are some tips and fun environmentally-friendly activities from Scholastic's new, free "Act Green" Web site for kids, available online at www.scholastic.com/actgreen:

* Green Yourself! Let kids have a no-bath week to learn about water conservation. Of course, the goal shouldn't be "act smelly," so have kids take showers instead, since they use about half as much water as baths. Consider having a week where you and your kids take nothing but five-minute showers. Tweens will love this exercise!

* Track household electricity use for a week. Teach kids how to read the electricity meter and have them make a chart tracking a week's worth of kilowatt hours used by your family. After kids see how much electricity you use, it's easier to get them to turn off lights when they leave a room or power down computers, TV sets, video games and other electronics when not in use!

* Replace all your batteries with rechargeable ones. Make this a fun game to track down all batteries used in your home.

* Start a vegetable garden or compost heap at home or at school.

* Carpool for a week. Talk about the places to which you drive your child every week. Figure out if there are any other kids or parents in your area who go to the same places. See if they would like to share a ride to save gas. Have a week where you and your kids carpool at least three times.

* Hold a "green party." Have your child plan a "no-waste" party and invite his or her friends. They can make posters, share green journals and come up with ways to help the environment in their homes and at school. Kids can then visit the "Act Green" Web site at www.scholastic.com/actgreen to share their green ideas with other children in their community and around the country.

* Recycle unwanted wire coat hangers. Go through all the closets in your house, collecting unused wire hangers. Then, do one of the following: bring them to your dry cleaner (who may be able to re-use them), add them to your curbside metal recycling or bring them to your local recycling center. Explain to kids that hangers contribute to bigger landfills, and we want to keep landfills small because they emit carbon gases, use up oil (with all those garbage trucks) and stink up the environment! This encourages them to think about ways to re-use and recycle other items they usually throw away.

"By educating and engaging kids early on about how to help our planet's future, they are more likely to grow up to be better informed citizens and more willing to get involved and make a difference," said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic.

For 100 fun, free environmentally-friendly activities for kids, visit www.scholastic.com/actgreen. Parents and kids can also get customized "Green Plans" on the site and for every green activity they complete, they can earn points to power up the "Greenerator," an online machine that tracks kids' green activities throughout the country.

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