Savannah River Group
The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club is a state-wide organization which also promotes and supports regional organizations called "groups". We currently have three groups based in Atlanta. They are located in DeKalb County (Metro Atlanta group), Cobb and North Fulton Counties (Centennial Group), and Gwinnett County (Gwinnett Group). The Chapter also has groups located in Augusta (Savannah River Group), Savannah (Coastal Group), and LaGrange (LaGrange Group). For more information on the group in your area please view the groups in the About Us section of the Georgia Chapter homepage.
The Savannah River Group started in 1981 and over the years has focused most of their conservation activities on Savannah River issues. In the 1980s, the SRG members were interveners against the City of Augusta when they tried to secure a permit from FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to build a hydro project on the Augusta Canal. Had it been approved, it would have had drastic effects on the last remaining shoals in the Savannah River.
Currently, the SRG supports the activities of the Savannah Riverkeeper and participates in Adopt-A-Stream. At their monthly meetings SRG members frequently feature environmental issues such as programs on both national and local problems: mountaintop coal removal, support of local markets, and the World-Wide 350 Rally this past October 24. Annually, the SRG participates in the Rivers Alive waterways trash pickup, and for many years have picked up trash in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Several members have also testified against the construction of additional units at nuclear Plant Vogtle south of Augusta.
Two years ago the SRG funded one of their members, Denice Traina, to get training for becoming a bee-keeper. She combined this with community gardening and attracted a lot of attention both locally and state-wide. To practice what they preach, the SRG serves organic refreshments at their monthly meetings.
In the future the Savannah River Group hopes to continue their current activities and to revitalize its Outings program. They do several yearly hikes to local protected areas but would like to do more and to especially organize some family camping weekends at nearby Mistletoe State Park. In January and February of 2010 they are featuring “Movie Night” at their monthly meetings, complete with popcorn. The SRG plans to show DVDs on recycling and reducing consumption. The SRG meets on the 3rd Tuesdays at 6:30p.m. in the meeting room of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Augusta. Please join them to be involved!
For more information on the Savannah River Group, please click here.
Sierra Club Meetings
RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday, January 4th, 6:45p.m., Jim Dexter – Chair, call 678-313-2407, jimdex@aol.com Smart Energy Team Meeting, Monday, January 11th, 7p.m., Erin Glynn, call 404-607-1262 x 233 Executive Committee Meeting, Saturday, January 16th, 11-5p.m., call Genie Strickland 404-607-1262 x 221, genie.strickland@sierraclub.org Fundraising Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 26th, 7p.m., Sandy Stewart & Erin Wetty - Co-Chairs, call 404-607-1262 x 225 Inner City Outings, Tuesday, January 26th, 7p.m., Allison Williams, call 404-664-4199, adwilliams8@ahoo.com |
Environmental Events
Environmental Dinner
Tuesday, January 5th, 7p.m.
Pizza Fusion – 2233 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30309
Start the New Year off right by hanging out with some like-minded environmentalists. The Social Committee had a lot of fun with you all in 2009. They’ll kick off 2010 with this delicious dinner! Click the picture for more information.
Georgia Chapter Office Closed
December 24th – January 1st
743 E. College Ave., Suite B, Decatur, GA 30030
Closed for the holidays, the Georgia Chapter staff will be back in office on January 4th. While you celebrate the holidays please remember the environment in all your activities. For helpful hints, please click here.
Sweetwater Creek Hike
January 1st
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Make your first resolution outdoors with us. Come and see why this is one of the most popular parks in the Atlanta Metro area. Children and pets are welcome. For more information contact Arthur Ratliff at ArthurRatliff@Bellsouth.net or click here.
Solomon Tract Hike
January 9th
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Bring your binoculars and join us for a leisurely hike through the Solomon Tract, a section of the Savannah National Wildlife located in Port Wentworth. We'll be looking for birds as we walk through bottomland hardwood forest and on a dike around an old rice impoundment. For trip details and to sign up, contact Steve Wagner at sjwgnr@hotmail.com or click here.
Bring One for the Chipper!
January 9th
Recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays! Bring One for the Chipper is Georgia's annual Christmas tree recycling program. Put together by Keep Georgia Beautiful and sponsored by The Home Depot, The Davey Tree Expert Company and WXIA-TV the program has recycled over 4.8 million Christmas trees. The mulch from these trees has been used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects, and individual yards. You can support the Chipper program by bringing your cut Christmas tree to a designated drop off site or volunteering with your local coordinator to collect trees.
Georgia Chapter Wish List
In the spirit of the holidays, the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club is looking for several items that could make the office more volunteer friendly, environmentally minded and office functional. Please, if you can help with any of the items below contact Genie Strickland in the Georgia Chapter Office at 404-607-1262 x 221.
Happy Holidays!
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