Students Create Walking Trail That Teaches Visitors About Importance of Creek

Soon residents will be able to learn about the area’s native plants while enjoying nature along the newly created Creekside Native Woodland Plant Walking Trail behind Cleveland Elementary School in Fayette County.

The school’s enrichment students from Laura Brown’s class are creating the trail that is also an entry in the Disney Planet Challenge, an environmental competition for elementary and middle school students throughout the United States. The program inspires students to be good stewards of the environment and empowers them to make a difference in their school, at home, and in their local communities, all while teaching the about science, conservation, and positive ways to impact the planet.

Students have done a ton of research on the creek that runs behind the school, learning that it impacts the quality of downstream waters, and ultimately the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers. They have also learned about what plants are important to preventing erosion along the creek’s banks, and which ones need to go.

The class has been working diligently creating the trail, installing missing native plants and labeling some of the trees and vegetation. Visitors will enjoy the outdoor activity cards with suggestions of things to do along the trail as well as facts about the creek and the native plants growing along it.

Brown hopes she and her students will have the trail completed by mid February since that is the deadline for submitting the project for the Disney competition. Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes are being awarded to winning schools.

“I am very proud of my students because we only meet once a week and entered the competition late. We hope to win money for our school, but if not, I am still proud of them,” says Brown.

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Sams Lake Sanctuary is Site for Nature Photography Tips October 30

Saturday, October 30th, 7:30 am
"Fall Colors & Close-ups"

Donna Rosser, The Barefoot Photographer, will give nature photography pointers at Sams Lake Sanctuary on October 30th. Come ready to learn and loaded up with your camera gear.

Be sure to enter your best images in Nature, Undisturbed 2011.


Photo: Line Creek in Drought, The Barefoot Photographer


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Georgia Forestry Commission Sets Traps for Destructive Forest Pests

Residents in 23 Georgia counties may soon notice the Georgia Forestry Commission erecting special insect traps in their neighborhood. The traps, which are mounted on trees and look like small paperboard tents, are designed to detect the tiny gypsy moth, which has destroyed thousands of acres of trees throughout the Northeastern United States.

“Gypsy moths will feed on any kind of tree species, but especially like oaks,” said Scott Griffin, Forest Health Specialist with the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). “Through the end of May, GFC Professionals will be putting up 4,600 traps statewide. We’ll be targeting fast-growing counties and likely introduction sites, such as state parks, where visitors might inadvertently bring in the gypsy moth.”

The gypsy moth is a serious forest pest capable of causing severe damage to trees. There are currently no known gypsy moth infestations in Georgia; however, White, Fannin and Rockdale counties have recorded infestations in the past. Gypsy moths were caught in Glynn, Chatham and Morgan counties last year, so more intensive trapping is planned for these three counties to determine whether an infestation is beginning. The traps being erected by the GFC contain pheromone lures, which mimic what the female gypsy moth releases, and in turn lure male moths and catch them in a sticky trap. Gypsy moth larvae are the insect’s destructive life stage, which hatch and feed on trees’ young leaf sprouts in the spring.

“Gypsy moths can defoliate thousands of acres of trees in short order,” explained Griffin. “If we find evidence of even one moth, we start high intensity trapping where it was caught. We’re working hard to ensure this destructive pest does not invade Georgia’s 24.8 million acres of forest land.”

The 23 counties in which gypsy moth traps will be placed are: Brantley, Chatham, Clarke, Columbia, Dade, Effingham, Elbert, Floyd, Glynn, Houston, Laurens, Liberty, Macon, Monroe, Morgan, Putnam, Seminole, Talbot, Troup, Union, Wayne, White and Whitfield.

For more information about the gypsy moth or other forest pests, forest health, and the many services offered by the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.

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Walk Georgia celebrates one-year anniversary

More than 3,800 Georgians spent eight weeks this fall “walking” across the state, losing weight, toning up and getting healthier along the way. They all participated in University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Walk Georgia fitness program.

The program debuted in spring 2008. It is designed to increase physical activity and get Georgians moving.

Participants can form teams and challenge each other to get fit, or sign up as individuals. They track their progress online and virtually chart a course across the state from the Georgia mountains to the Marshes of Glynn.

“I loved inputting my activity, especially when I would get enough miles so that I could pick new counties,” said Lisa Plank, a participant from Winterville. “I really liked going from county to county, not only for the fun facts, but also because I could see, albeit in a smaller scale, just how much I did exercise.”

Plank lost weight and gained muscle and discovered what she eats is as important to her fitness and wellness as how much she exercises.

“I became more confident in my body and in my ability and stamina,” said Plank, who recently completed her first 5K race and placed third in her age category. “It’s been a long time since I've been proud of myself for a physical accomplishment.”

In addition to walking, activities like aerobics, biking, jogging and weightlifting can be logged. Time spent exercising is converted into miles, which participants use to move across an online map. Overall, participants this fall logged 353,810 miles in the program.

The most popular exercises logged this session were walking, stretching, weight lifting, cycling, aerobics, using an exercise machine, step aerobics and elliptical training.

Through Walk Georgia, Ben Free of Fayetteville advanced his own exercise regiment and began teaching aerobics. The retired school teacher did all of this from his wheel chair.

“After I joined Walk Georgia I went to the exercise room two to three times a week. I started Tai Chi, began enjoying exercising and saw my goals reached,” he said.

He now teaches a chair aerobics class at the Fayette County Senior Center. Free said he and his students “do everything that a person can do standing, but we do it in a chair.”

Of the adult participants, 91 percent were still recording physical activity the last week of the program. And 98.5 percent said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the program. Ninety-three percent agreed that the program encouraged them to exercise.

Registration for the next session will begin Feb. 14 and run through March 5. The spring session will begin March 1 and end April 25. For more information, contact your UGA Extension agent at 1-800-ASK-UGA1, or go to the Web site www.walkgeorgia.org.

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

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Cutest Chick Found in Fayette County Classroom

Pre-K students in Dana Wren’s class watch as the baby chick pecks its way out of its shell.

The cutest chick in Fayette County is in Dana Wrenn’s pre-K classroom at Brooks Elementary.

Wrenn’s 20 students watched in amazement on October 9 as a baby chicken broke through its eggshell and hatched after two days of pecking.

“Finally the beak came through and we began to see a wet feathery creature appear, it looked like an alien to me,” says Wrenn. “When she was gathering her strength for the next portion of her hatching, we could see her heart beating and the rise and fall of her chest. She stretched her wings and poof; she arrived. It was so amazing.”

The hatching of the chick coincides with a life science farming unit Wrenn is teaching this month. A family of one of Wrenn’s former students raises chickens as a hobby and brought in three fertilized eggs. The eggs were kept in an incubator in the classroom but only one hatched after 21 days.

“What an incredible life lesson it is to see the magical wonder of an egg becoming a living chick. Children who are growing up in a techno world crave opportunities to experience life outdoors. I try to offer opportunities for exploration of life experiences and the wonder of our marvelous world,” says Wrenn.

As soon as the baby chick arrived, students began researching how to care for her. They knew they had to keep her warm and place her in a larger environment.

“We learned chicks must be kept at 95 degrees for their first week of life so we rounded up a plastic aquarium and rigged a lamp from the classroom to keep her warm,” says Wrenn.
The students also learned that chicks drink sugar water and eat starter scratch.

“They are keeping her watered and fed. We also discovered that we had to teach her how to drink and peck at her food,” says Wrenn.

The class named the chick Bemmie after a chicken character from the book “Love, Ruby Lavender,” a tale about Ruby Lavender, her grandmother and three stolen hens in the township of Halleluiah, Mississippi.

Bemmie will stay in the classroom for two weeks before she is transferred to the school’s butterfly garden. In the meantime, the students are waiting for a new batch of fertilized eggs in the hopes of getting another chick so Bemmie will have a companion.

Not only are students getting a lesson in life science, but they are also cultivating their writing skills by journaling about the experience and enhancing their vocabulary by learning new words. The students plan to publish a story, complete with pictures, about Bemmie’s transformation from a chick to a hen.

“Our Bemmie is growing by leaps and bounds In fact, she’s already getting pin feathers and trying to fly,” says Wrenn.

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Cooper Hawk in Fayette County?

As I walked by the back door a few minutes ago I caught something out of the corner of my eye on the back porch that just didn't look right. I peeked through the blinds and saw what I first thought was an animal of some sort, like a gopher, except I knew we didn't have gophers around here and they really didn't look like that .

I went to the door and pulled back the curtain, only to realize it was a hawk perched on the porch.

Wow.

I ran to the car, got my camera bag, went through all you go through getting one turned on and ready to go thinking the entire time that the hawk would be gone by the time I got back.

Not so.

I carefully pulled the curtain back and tried to get a shot. Realized I was getting part of the curtain, so zipped around to the other curtain-less door on the other side of the porch. Surely I'd scare it away, but had to try!

Nope, it stayed for the shots. My hummingbird feeder was in the way though so headed back to the other side. Obviously the hummingbirds knew they weren't big enough to temp the hawk... or they simply didn't notice him sitting there.

More photos on the other side, still through the glass door.

Finally, not because it reacted to me at all, the hawk moved up to the roof for a better view.

As I type I noticed a winged shadow go by the windows... maybe it found something to eat!

I made a quick slide show which I'll be adding to the Fayette Front Page later. I'll pop back over here and add a link just in case you want to see more shots.

I looked the hawk up in my bird book, couldn't decide if it was a Cooper Hawk or not. That's the closest I found, but the one in my book shows a darker breast and more red than "my" hawk had. Any ideas? Any bird folks out there who'll know right off the bat?

Expert tips for creating a backyard habitat for colorful summer birds

NF Note: Fayette County is blessed to have so much green space and citizens who are environmentally conscious. Spend some time enticing more wildlife to your backyard. It's a great way to spend the end of the day- just watching the birds and hearing their songs.

(ARA) - Whether city or country, bird watching is fun and you can create an environment for it in your own backyard in less time than you think. Summer is a great time to get started because the most colorful birds with beautiful songs are around to enhance your outdoor environment.

"Late May, June and July are great times to bird watch because lots of birds are nesting," says John Robinson, chief ornithologist and manager of Scotts Birding Center of Excellence. He goes on to explain that the colorful males are displaying their plumage to attract the females so you can see plenty of beautiful species. In addition, once the baby birds are old enough to leave the nest, the mother will show them where food is, making your backyard feeder a much-appreciated resource.

Robinson says there are three components to making your backyard an oasis for feathered friends:

1. Vegetation provides shelter
Having a variety of shrubs and trees in your yard makes it bird friendly. Birds use trees, shrubs and plants to hide from both the elements and their natural predators, as well as to roost or nest in. Additionally, the right types of vegetation also provide fruit or seeds for the birds to eat.

White pine, arborvitae, spruce, juniper, cedar, holly and other broadleaf and needle evergreens provide essential protection all year as well as food. Hedges of serviceberry or viburnum provide food, shelter and nesting spots. Flowers like columbine and trumpet vine attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.

2. Quality food nourishes
Not all bird food is created equal. Look for blends that were researched in the field and created to attract the types of birds you want to see in your backyard. Avoid filler material like milo, wheat or cracked corn.

To attract colorful birds, Robinson recommends Scotts Songbird Selections Colorful Bird Blend, which was developed by ornithologists. This mix is made from 10 high-quality ingredients that are blended in a specific ratio designed to attract more colorful birds. Results may vary by region and/or season, but Colorful Bird Blend has been proven to attract up to twice as many than with ordinary wild bird food. The mix is also less attractive to blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds, which are often considered a nuisance.

Another good option is Scotts Songbird Selections Wild Finch & Small Songbird Blend, which was scientifically mixed to attract goldfinches. Field research done across the country by Robinson, his team, and university partners, shows that while results may vary by region and/or season, this mix can attract up to two times the amount of finches as other types of ordinary wild bird food. Additionally, it also attracts other interesting small birds such as nuthatches, chickadees and native sparrows.

3. Water quenches thirst
Putting out a birdbath, especially one with a trickle or fountain, makes your garden a very popular spot. Whether you put a decorative birdbath in your backyard or simply place a large clay saucer on the ground or on top of a tree stump, make sure it has a rough surface and a shallow bowl. If you have a pond or stream, place flat rocks in them for bird perches.

Birds require fresh water, so clean birdbaths often and replace water every couple of days.

For more information and additional ideas on how to create a bird habitat in your own backyard, visit www.scottswildbirdfood.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Snakes of Summer Cause for Awareness, Not Fear

NF Note: As Peachtree City citizens start spending more time on the golf cart paths this summer, occasional cries of "snake" echo in the distance. Take time and learn about the snakes in Fayette County. Of course, my first advice is to "stay away from the snake."

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What to do when you see a snake in your yard:

1. Never attempt to handle any kind of snake. If you are unsure of the snake’s identification, keep your distance

2. A venomous snake will most often have a triangular-shaped head as well as elliptical pupils similar to cats’ eyes, rather than round ones.

3. Snakes are important predators that feed on rodents, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear a snake in your yard. Simply give them the space they need.

4. Despite the relatively low level of danger posed by venomous snakes many people consider their fear justification for killing snakes. In Georgia it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail to possess or kill many of nongame wildlife species, including non-venomous snakes (O.C.G.A. §27-1-28).


As temperatures rise don’t be surprised if you see more late-afternoon activity on your sidewalks and driveways, particularly of the slithering variety. Not to worry, though: Snakes can be a homeowner’s best friends, as long as you remember a few important tips.

First, snakes are best left alone. Most snake bites occur when a person tries to handle or corner a snake, prompting the animal to defend itself.

Second, of the 41 snake species known in Georgia, only six are venomous. Although telling some species apart can be difficult, becoming familiar with the colors and patterns of venomous species can enable even novices to determine whether a snake is venomous or not, providing peace of mind.

The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division will soon release “Venomous Snakes of Georgia,” a new publication intended to help the public identify venomous snakes and understand their natural roles. Other resources include the brochure “Is it a Water Moccasin?” (go to www.georgiawildlife.com; click “Conservation” and look under “Georgia Animals & Plants”) and a guide to Georgia and South Carolina snakes at www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/index.htm . There is also the excellent reference “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia” released last year by the University of Georgia Press (www.ugapress.uga.edu/).

Non-venomous snakes such as the scarlet kingsnake and eastern hognose are sometimes confused with their venomous counterparts. Venomous snakes are often identified by their triangular-shaped head. However, many snake species flatten their head when threatened. Use caution when approaching any snake, and snakes in the wild should only be handled by an experienced person and after proper identification.

As reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded and rely on external sources to heat their bodies. In the fall and winter, you are more likely to see them warming themselves on rocks, sidewalks and paved roads. During summer, many snakes avoid open areas during the hottest part of the day and may become much more active during the evening.

About half of Georgia’s snake species give live birth. The young of all others are born from eggs, hatching within 40-80 days, depending on the species.

Newborn snakes can be seen from mid-summer to fall. Also, as the days grow hotter, many snakes will leave their usual hiding spots looking for prey that may be found close to dwindling water sources.

Adults of many of Georgia’s smaller snake species are often mistakenly assumed to be newborns. Although snakes in the state range from the eastern indigo, with recorded lengths up to 8 feet, 4 inches, to the crowned snake, which grows only 13 inches long, several non-venomous species commonly found in residential areas are small. These include worm, ringneck and brown snakes, which each average about 12 inches in length as adults.

All snakes are an essential part of Georgia’s wildlife resources. Fear or negative attitudes about snakes often stem from a lack of knowledge of their habits and role in the ecosystem. The majority of snakes found throughout the state are non-venomous, harmless and usually beneficial to man. A greater understanding of their importance as predator and prey often brings a greater appreciation for these admittedly not so “warm and fuzzy” animals with which we share our yards, gardens and forests.

If you spot a venomous snake in an area where it represents a danger to children or pets, you can contact Wildlife Resources for a list of private wildlife removal specialists.

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The Springer Dog Exerciser Helps You and Your Dog Stay Fit

NF Note: Dogs are our constant companions when either running or using the golf cart on the paths of Peachtree City. This sounds like it could make life easier as some of the larger dogs are trained to run with their owners.

(BUSINESS WIRE)--If you want a safe way to take your dog with you on bike rides, the Springer dog exerciser might be the perfect answer.

Available through Springer America (http://www.springeramerica.com), the Springer is a fun, inexpensive way to stay active with your best friend beside you. Springer America President Kjell Ottesen says, “Thanks to recent improvements, the Springer fits most regular, touring and mountain bikes and works with more dogs than ever -- and is still fast and easy to install.”

“My dogs especially love riding with me through greenways and parks. Just like people, they get bored following the same routes, so I take them to new places around town to let them smell different scents,” says Catherine “Jake” Jacobson, owner of Team Happy Dog, a professional dog walker in Raleigh, NC. She bikes daily to keep her high-energy charges fit, from rat terriers to Rhodesian Ridgebacks to labs, golden retrievers and Boston terriers.

To help with the initial adjustment, walk beside your bike with the dog attached to the Springer arm for a few minutes. According to Jacobson, “90% of my dogs love the Springer right from the beginning.”

Used by over 600,000 bicyclists, mushers and K9 corps worldwide, the Springer features a low-mounted, heavy-duty steel spring to absorb up to 90% of the force of a dog’s unexpected tugs, allowing bike riders to keep their balance, while protecting their pets from traffic, pedals and wheels. The patented safety release frees the dog instantly if he gets caught around a tree or hydrant.

Professional Norwegian musher Frode Dahl has relied on the Springer for 17 years to keep his Pointer and Vorster breeds in peak shape. Dahl says, “Even my retired world champion sled dogs are still quite powerful. Without the Springer, it would be hard to keep them conditioned. Just walking these dogs is not adequate.”

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How Hydrangeas Can Heighten Your Enjoyment Of Your Yard

NAPSI)-Hydrangeas are growing on home gardeners. The big, bold flowers add excitement to many gardens and are terrific for both fresh and dried arrangements. Desirable as hydrangeas are, they have a reputation for being tricky to grow. Fortunately, with many new, easy-to-grow varieties available, even the most inexperienced gardener can enjoy lots of flowers with very little effort.

New Varieties

Reblooming hydrangeas, such as the Let's Dance series from Proven Winners, are an excellent example of how new varieties make gardening easier. Unlike older varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla, these plants bloom on both this season's and last season's growth. Gardeners who have been frustrated by healthy-looking plants that never bloom will have more success with these plants. Moonlight has big, vividly colored mophead flowers and rich burgundy fall foliage. Starlight is the first reblooming lacecap hydrangea and has elegant, brightly colored whorls of florets.

Pink, White and Blue

H. macrophylla flower color is affected by soil pH. It is difficult for hydrangeas to absorb aluminum from alkaline soils (those with pH higher than 7), so the plants produce pink or red flowers. Aluminum is more available in acidic (pH lower than 7) soils and the plants there produce blue flowers. Soils can be amended to adjust the bloom color; use aluminum sulfate to encourage blue flowers and horticultural lime to produce pink flowers.

Hardy hydrangeas, H. paniculata, have been mainstays of northern gardens for years. They produce cone-shaped bundles of white florets in midsummer and bloom on the current season's growth. Hardy hydrangeas are reliable bloomers even after harsh winters.

Limelight may be one of the best varieties. Its soft green summer flowers transform to pink and burgundy in fall and dry beautifully. Proven Winners now has Pinky Winky hardy hydrangea as well. Pinky Winky has exceptionally large (12" plus) panicles that start out white and turn to pink as they age. New white florets keep growing at the tips of the panicles as older florets at the base turn pink, so the plant displays unique bicolor blooms in late summer.

Annabelle is another favorite of cold-climate gardeners and of many southerners as well. A smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens), Annabelle is adaptable and easy to grow, though its white snowball flowers tend to flop over into an untidy tangle.

Two new varieties are expected to set the standard for smooth hydrangeas. Incrediball has flowers up to 12" across and exceptionally sturdy stems that hold the blooms upright even after heavy rain. Coming in 2010, Invincibelle Spirit is the first pink Annabelle-type hydrangea.

How Hydrangeas Help Combat Cancer

Gardeners who have been limited to white flowers can now enjoy hot-pink blooms and help fund breast cancer research with a purchase of Invincibelle Spirit. Proven Winners will donate 5 cents from each purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). That organization is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.

Learn More

For more about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org. For facts about hydrangeas, visit www.provenwinners.com.

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Fine Weather for Staying Fit

Spring is a glorious time in Fayette County, Georgia. All along the cart paths in Peachtree City are families and friends out taking their daily strolls and staying in shape.

We caught this happy couple enjoying their morning walk around Lake Peachtree- not once, but three days in a row.

We can only guess that all the recent rain has made these friends decide to expand their horizons.

Fayette Front Page Staff



Photo ©2009 A S Eldredge

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Half-Day Spring River Walk at Sprewell Bluff State Park

On Saturday March 28, join a park ranger on this guided tour of the trails at Sprewell Bluff State Park. Meet at the main parking area near the river at 9:00 am. There is a $3.00 charge per person for the hike, and a $3.00 charge per vehicle for parking. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy back at the parking lot around 12:30 between trails. The morning guided walk will be on the Natural Dam Trail.

The afternoon hike will be on the Longleaf Trail, featuring the globally imperiled Longleaf Pine and Oak Woodland habitat. Both trails feature unique bottomland habitat, with species representing Coastal Plain, Piedmont and North Georgia Mountains all on one trail. Witness the splendor of blooming spring flowers like Atamasco Lily, Silver Bells, and Yellow Jasmine. Learn about the newest arriving spring birds, such as the Common Yellowthroat, the Northern Parula, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher.

Butterflies are out too, and we are sure to see Zebra Swallowtails, Tiger Swallowtails, and Red-Banded Hairstreaks. Bring a pair of binoculars, good trail shoes, and portable bottled juice or water to enjoy on the walk. The total mileage of both trails is five miles.

To find out more information about these programs, or about Sprewell Bluff State Park, please call the park office at 706-746-6026 or talk to a park ranger at the park. For information on these or other programs happening at other parks, please visit www.gastateparks.org.

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“Give Wildlife a Chance” Poster Winner is Caroline Andrews

Peeples Elementary student Caroline Andrews will encourage the residents of Georgia to “Give Wildlife a Chance” with her artwork that is being published in a 2009-2010 calendar by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Botanical Garden of Georgia and The Environmental Resources Network, Inc. (T.E.R.N.).

Caroline is one of 12 elementary students selected as statewide winners of the “Give Wildlife a Chance” poster contest. She placed third in the first/second grade division with her artwork titled, “Nature’s Gifts: The Plants and Animals of Georgia.” More than 4,000 elementary students from 30 public schools, as well as private and home-school groups, participated in the 19th annual conservation art competition.

Caroline’s entry, along with the other state winners, will be on display at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Conference Center in Mansfield, Georgia March 21-April 4.

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Learn How to “Go Green” in a Tough Economy with a Free Seminar from The Clean Air Campaign®

What:
On April 16, The Clean Air Campaign® will host a free Lunch and Learn training seminar for employers interested in learning how to create a sustainable work environment while balancing the needs of employees during tough economic times. The Clean Air Campaign’s panel of experts will offer practical ways to make operations environmentally-friendly, improve bottom lines and put money in employees’ pockets. Experts will discuss how strong commute options programs can be cost-effective and give employers advantages in recruitment, retention and sustainability even when times are tight.

Who:
The Clean Air Campaign and the region’s transportation management associations are providing this training seminar at no cost to all metro Atlanta employers interested in learning how to go green through affordable commute options programs.

When & Where:

Thursday, April 16
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
235 Andrew Young Blvd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

RSVP:
Sign up online at CleanAirCampaign.org or call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) to reserve a seat.

Web:
www.CleanAirCampaign.org/Our-Services/Employer-Services/Lunch-and-Learns
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U.S. Team Helps to Plant Seeds for Afghan Farmers' Success

As the noon sun crept toward the mountains west of Janquadam, children ran from all corners of the village, greeting the group of soldiers from the 28th Forward Agribusiness Development Team.

On this warm, late-February day, the team was on a mission to help a blind farmer develop his fields so he eventually can build a new grape vineyard.

The ADT, a National Guard unit deployed from Nebraska, has come to Afghanistan to assist and educate farmers on better farming techniques, and to introduce them to grasses and alfalfa for better animal health.

No strangers to this village, soldiers of the 28th have visited several times before.

"On a previous mission, we assessed the farmer's fields," Army Sgt. 1st Class Eldon R. Kuntzelman said. "Then we got a letter of agreement from the land owner, and later presented our plan to him."

"Marking and measuring the field was our primary mission," Army 1st Lt. Eric Sattelberg, agricultural team chief, said. "Our goal on every mission is to improve relations with the [local residents]. In the long run, this type of mission will strengthen the bond between Afghanistan and the U.S., because they know that we are here to help grow this nation rather than destroy it."

The 28th has more plans for Janquadam, including installing grain storage bins, planting fruit and nut trees, working with animal health, water management, training and education in tractor maintenance, and setting up greenhouses and underground vegetable storage.

The future of ADT operations is simple -- grow this nation into a thriving country of different fruits and vegetables, Sattelberg said.

"The goal is a continuation of the projects from one ADT rotation to the next," he said. "Several teams are either on the ground or being identified for a potential rotation. We are here doing one field at a time through demonstration farms as well as with other projects."

The demonstration crops offer the farmers an opportunity to learn a variety of methods for growing crops, and then allow the local farmers to try different techniques for growing crops in their own fields.

About half of the unit has been deployed before, and all of the 52-member team volunteered for the deployment. The 28th works in four provinces -- Bamyan, Panjshir, Parwan and Kapisa. Four other ADTs operate across Afghanistan, with more on the way.

The farmers are becoming very familiar with the ADT soldiers and their mission, as the team has conducted numerous missions to the same locations, Sattelberg said. "We are respectful, ... and I think as long as we continue to respect them, they will continue to welcome us in their village."

(Author Army Capt. Michael Greenberger serves with the 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)
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Peachtree City Recycling Center Accepting Plastic and Glass, Saving Money

Beginning March 14, the Peachtree City residents will again be able to take plastics and glass at the Recycling Center at Highway 74 South and Rockaway Road. Both the Recycling Center and the recycling station at Public Works on McIntosh Trail w will begin accepting #1 and #2 plastic containers again. The Recycling Center will also begin accepting separated glass bottles. An agreement with Keep Peachtree City Beautiful (KPTCB) has allowed the City to reinstate both these recycling options at a savings to Peachtree City residents.

Recent decreases in the value of recyclables resulted in Public Works staff having to haul materials to the vendors for recycling. This cost an estimated $24,000 per year in labor and vehicles. Through an agreement negotiated by KPTCB, Jennings Trash Can Removal Company will deliver recycling bins at both the Rockaway Road center and the McIntosh Trail station and remove the recyclables at no charge. Any future revenue generated from the recyclables will be split with KPTCB. The City of Peachtree City will provide one part-time employee to work at the Recycling Center, and KPTC Beautiful will assist with staffing via volunteers in return for a $1,000 per year payment from the City.

City Manager Bernard McMullen said, “The arrangement with KPTCB is a perfect example of a public-private partnership allowing us to better serve our citizens.” McMullen continued, “We have had a lot of requests to reinstate plastics recycling at the center, and we have been able to accomplish that goal at a considerable savings to the taxpayers, thanks to KPTCB.”

In addition to the reintroduction of #1 and #2 plastics, as indicated inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of containers such as water bottles and milk cartons, the Recycling Center will also begin accepting separated clear, brown, and green glass for recycling. The center also accepts aluminum cans ONLY (no steel or tin cans at this time), mixed cardboard, newspapers and magazines, electronic waste, and yard trimmings. The Recycling Center is open on Wednesdays from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM and on Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The recycling station at the Public Works, which is open 24 hours per day, will accept #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum cans (no steel or tin), mixed cardboard, newspapers, and magazines.
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Free Advice for Home Gardeners

As families tighten their economic belts and search for ways to cut household budgets, one of the expenses some are choosing to cut is landscape service. Keeping a home landscape healthy and vibrant isn’t easy, but it is vital to maintaining home values.

Fear not. Help is available, and it’s free.

“All Georgiana have access to free information on home landscape management, lawn care and better management of household funds through their local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office,” said Tony Tyson, director of county operations for UGA Extension. “We have offices in 157 of Georgia’s 159 counties, but we offer services and free advice to everyone.”

Online, information is available at www.ugaextension.com. The site offers publications on a vast array of topics related to home landscaping.

By calling 1-800-ASK-UGA1, Georgians can reach their county UGA Extension agent for advice, workshops, soil testing, water testing and a variety of other services.

“One of the most valuable tools most counties have is our digital distance diagnostics service,” Tyson said. “You can take in a bug or a diseased plant sample and in short order the county agent can send digital images of it to specialists who can help diagnose the problem and suggest ways to treat it.”

UGA Extension offers Master Gardener classes for those who really want to learn the ins and outs of home gardening. You can find out when the next class is available in your area by calling the county UGA Extension office.

UGA Extension is the outreach division of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in partnership with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences. They offer educational programs and materials related to agriculture, horticulture, families and consumer-related issues. They also offer education on youth development through the Georgia 4-H program.

“Our mission is to take the educational information generated through research at the university and deliver it to the people of Georgia who need it most,” Tyson said. “We aim to help Georgians live healthier, wealthier, more productive lives.”

Faith Peppers
University of Georgia

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Callaway Gardens Places Thousands of Additional Acres Into Permanent Conservation Project

Pine Mountain’s Beauty and Biodiversity Protected Forever

In partnership with Harris County and the State of Georgia, Callaway Gardens® once again demonstrates its commitment to the environment with the placement of another large tract of land into a conservation easement.

Through the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP), the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation™ (ICCF), the non-profit parent organization of Callaway Gardens, has worked with the government of Harris County to protect 2,078 acres of ecologically important green space. The GLCP is a program created by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue that offers competitive grants, low-interest loans and tax incentives for land acquisition or conservation easement purchases. The goal is to bring together private and public entities to conserve our natural resources for current and future generations to use and enjoy.

“We were excited to partner with Harris County’s Board of Commissioners and Development Authority as well as the State of Georgia to protect this ecology significant tract of land for future generations,” Edward C. Callaway, ICCF chairman/CEO.

This GLCP project accomplishes several important goals: connects 2,507 acres of ICCF land that was designated as a Georgia Forest Legacy conservation easement in December 2004 with the existing green space of Georgia’s largest state park, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park; maintains forever the natural view shed of the Pine Mountain Ridge; and protects three miles of the ecologically important Pine Mountain Ridge and its adjacent watershed from future development. Remnant stands of rare, mountain Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) can be found across this tract of land. The protection and restoration of this key species and its associated habitat are a high priority for this project.

In addition, there are approximately 25 acres of land set aside as permanent green space as part of three LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) projects at Callaway Gardens as certified by the U. S. Green Building Council.

This transaction brings the total amount of land to 4,610 acres that the ICCF has placed under permanent conservation protection. While relinquishing the developmental rights, Callaway Gardens retains the rights to implement wise land stewardship and environmental education to fulfill our mission of connecting man and nature in a way that benefits both.

The Georgia Forestry Commission holds the conservation easements on both tracts. These tracts together create a portion of The Preserve at Callaway Gardens™. Today, The Preserve encompasses over 10,000 acres of forested land adjacent to the Gardens, resort and residential living areas of Callaway Gardens, which have existed for over 50 years near the town of Pine Mountain, Georgia. The management of the easement tracts is designed to be holistic and fit seamlessly with the management of the adjacent, non-easement portions of Preserve area.

A conservation easement is a legally binding agreement transferring a negotiated set of property rights from one party to another, without removing the property from private ownership. Under this type of easement, the ICCF is giving up development rights while retaining accessibility for ecological restoration, environmental education, responsible recreation and appropriate active land management which supports the conservation values of the property.

So what does this mean for the public? LuAnn Craighton, Preserve executive director, said, “We don’t want to lock this land up and throw away the key. Our objectives are to get visitors on the land and educate them about the natural world through guided programs; be a role model of wise land stewardship and land management techniques; host conservation-minded groups, share what we learn; and last but not least, re-establish the population of Longleaf Pine.”

“It is very exciting to know that this land will continue to provide future visitors with a better understanding of the living world as my grandparents Cason and Virginia Callaway, founders of Callaway Gardens, dreamed,” Callaway said.

Callaway Gardens, a premier travel and meeting destination in the South, is owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation™. For more than 50 years Callaway has provided “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” for millions of visitors. Callaway Gardens is committed to its mission of environmental education and land stewardship for the benefit of future generations.

Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, Ga., 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. For additional information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.
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Freeze-Dried Food and Organic Heirloom Seeds

Note: Thought this one was interested. When you go to the site a video plays and we couldn't find a way to stop it, but still, it is an interesting concept. Especially since a few of us have been talking about the need to possibly grow some of our own food this year:

Now... freeze-dried food and heirloom seeds from a Southern outfit!

Emergencies are a part of life, especially in the times in which we live. Weather, man-made disasters, and job layoffs are all times when it is important to have a reliable source of food for you family. And when those times strike is NOT the time to begin preparing!

Our friends at www.HeartlandEmergency.com Heartland Emergency are proud to announce that they now offer freeze-dried foods and heirloom seeds... and from fellow Southerners!

Quality freeze-dried food from world-famous Mountain House is available in several different sized packages for individuals and families, or you can put together your own order with the a la carte option. The food tastes great and has a storage life up to 30 years! What better investment for your family's safety than to begin investing in freeze-dried foods for emergencies?

And many Southerners are returning to our roots by growing their own safe, healthy food in their own Liberty Gardens at home. It's a much better alternative than eating processed foods or vegetables containing pesticides and other dangers from foreign countries! And, unlike the majority of seeds on the market today, these heirloom seeds can be used to grow your food AND to start your own stock of seeds for replanting from year to year... something that you can't do with the infertile seeds sold on the market today!

Browse the website for yourself and place an initial order today to give it a try... do it for the safety of your family... BEFORE it's too late!
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Clayton State Presents Free Seminar on Nutrition Supplements

Clayton State University’s Department of Recreation & Wellness will present a free seminar on a topic that’s been making headlines recently – nutrition supplements – on Friday, Feb. 20 in the University’s Student Activities Center.

“Not sure whether that pill you are popping is doing any good? How about those metabolism boosters and protein shakes?” asks Cindy Lauer, Clayton State’s director of Recreation & Wellness.

The seminar, which is open to the public, will be presented by Darin Spurlock, dietetic intern on “Supplement 101.” Spurlock’s presentation will begin at 11:45 a.m. and is expected to run for 30 minutes. Feel free to bring a lunch.

For more information, contact Lauer at (678) 466-4974.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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