May 2013

The Green Matters e-newsletter is designed to give you a quick glimpse of important sustainability initiatives happening around the metro Atlanta region and beyond. Whether it's the latest research, new educational offerings, environmental stewardship efforts, or potential funding opportunities, this e-newsletter will help you stay abreast of what's happening in this important subject area.

City Turns Vacant Lots into Community Assets

Community gardens have the potential to beautify vacant lots, augment local food supplies and enhance the urban environment in a variety of ways. But, successful program management requires careful planning and ongoing support, according to Eileen Horn, sustainability coordinator for Douglas County and the city of Lawrence, Kan.

In the winter of 2011, the city surveyed its vacant and underutilized properties, identified appropriate sites for agriculture, and made these sites available to citizens through an application process.

During the 2012 growing season, four pilot sites were opened to the public through partnerships with neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and schools. The sites include a neighborhood community garden, a youth-focused garden in a city park, a community orchard for free picking, and a market farm coordinated by college and middle school students. In exchange for receiving a free license for use of city property, each applicant created a community benefit plan for their project.

Measure #35 – Community Gardens

The Green Communities certification program recognizes local governments who have partnered with a local citizen group or nonprofit organization to establish one or more community gardens in their jurisdictions. Through this partnership, local governments may designate space, provide a cover or shade, provide free parking close by, or other actions to facilitate the success of the community garden. A community garden that is eligible to receive points is a garden where any resident can sign up to have his/her own individual plot or garden.

One great example of such a garden is in the Bronze Level Green Community of Kennesaw, GA, whose Gather ‘n’ Grow plots at Smith-Gilbert Garden (pictured above) are available for cultivation as well as provide educational opportunities for the community.

Going Green at Home

Purchase local and organic foods to conserve fuel and protect water quality.
When buying products for your home, look for the Energy Star label to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, along with your power bill.
Don’t over water your landscape. Watering deeply and infrequently will promote root growth and drought tolerance.
Bring cloth or canvas bags to the store with you instead of using paper or plastic bags.
Minimize pesticide and fertilizer use. Leave grass clippings on the yard to return nutrients to the soil.

More green tips can be found in the Green at Home Tips flyer (PDF).