Two bills introduced to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Two bills have been introduced in the Georgia State House to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining threats.
The bills are led by Republicans sponsors Chairlady and original champion of the Okefenokee Protection Act HB71 Darlene Taylor (Thomasville), Chairman of Economic Development & Tourism Committee Ron Stephens (Savannah), and Chairman Steven Sainz (St. Marys), the downstream swamp legislator who hails from Okefenokee NWR gateway communities Woodbine & Kingsland, and now lives in St Marys.
The first bill, Okefenokee Protection Act HB 561, would prohibit future mining along Okefenokee’s Trail Ridge. Protecting Trail Ridge is essential to maintain surface water and groundwater hydrology in the Okefenokee, St. Marys River, and surrounding areas.
The second bil, HB 562, would place a five-year moratorium on mining along Okefenokee’s Trail Ridge. This prohibition would provide state regulators and independent scientists time to evaluate how mining at the Twin Pines “demonstration mine” site impacts groundwater levels under and adjacent to the swamp, and potentially the swamp water levels as well as the headwaters of the St. Marys River.
While the Okefenokee Protection Act is one way to protect Trail Ridge forever, the compromise bill for a short five-year moratorium on mining gives time to evaluate water table replenishment for the swamp, covering the proposed period of mining for four years, plus one year post mining for groundwater recovery.
— Derek Prall
Researchers launch long-term study of health impacts from the BioLab fire in Conyers
A new project, led by the Morehouse School of Medicine and local nonprofit Community Action NOW!, will track the health impacts of the September 2024 BioLab fire in Conyers over the course of three years. The Post-Fire Public Health Recovery Project kicked off at the Shut Down BioLab community forum hosted on Feb. 24 and is intended to document and assess both lingering health concerns like respiratory issues and eye and skin irritation as well as long-term risks like cardiovascular, neurological, and cancer-related conditions.
Residents who are interested in participating in the study can find more information and sign up to participate on Community Action NOW!’s website. The first round of surveys to collect data from residents and first responders will be available beginning in March. Along with gathering and analyzing this health data, the initiative will include community engagement and distribution of resources to ensure residents have the information they need to access essential services.
— Grace Donnelly
Art and ecology converge for regenerative community greenspace project in East Point
Historic Black arts institution The ArtsXchange and local regenerative landscape firm Shades of Green Permaculture are teaming up to create a community food forest in East Point. The project aims to transform the front yard at ArtsXchange into a space that manages rainwater, grows native plants, and supports pollinators and local wildlife. The greenspace will host community events and encourage East Point neighbors to connect with nature.
“We are an arts and culture community-based organization,” Alice Lovelace, Founder of ArtsXchange, said in a press release. “Culture encompasses everything about our lives – it’s the food we eat, the way we live, the way we practice our spirituality and our caretaking of land. So being good conservators of the land is a part of that cultural matrix that we adhere to and it’s a part of being a good neighbor. We lead by practice so by taking the lead, we hope to inspire others to join us.”
ArtXchange will hold a volunteer planting day on April 26 and is seeking donations to fund the transformation as well as a documentary about the project by filmmaker Jonathan Banks.
— Grace Donnelly
SCAD SERVE awards $2 million grants to community organizations
The Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) SERVE Community Fund announced that it is awarding $2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the Savannah and Atlanta areas.
The fund provides financial assistance to these organizations to support initiatives that focus on critical community needs in food, shelter, safety, and education.
Grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million went to organizations like the City of Savannah, America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Greenbriar Children’s Center, and the City of Refuge, which will help them continue their endeavors to improve the communities they serve.
“Through the fund, SCAD demonstrates a radical new model of community service in global higher education – by providing not only funding but also vast brainpower and expertise (in disciplines we know well, from design for sustainability to innovative technology to architecture and beyond) to address our neighbor’s most urgent challenges,” said Paula Wallace, President and Founder of SCAD.
SCAD SERVE is accepting applications for their 2026 fund.
Click here to learn more.
— Allison Joyner
Chamblee receives Tree City recognition from Arbor Day Foundation
Last week, the Arbor Day Foundation named the city of Chamblee a 2024 Tree City USA for its commitment to planting, growing, and maintaining trees to benefit its community.
The program recognizes cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local areas.
“This recognition is a testament to our city’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Brian Mock, Mayor of Chamblee. “Trees play a vital role in enhancing our quality of life, improving our air quality, and creating a greener, healthier future.”
Since 1972, the foundation has helped organizations plant over 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries.
— Allison Joyner
Over 100 SCAD alumni, students contributed to Oscar-nominated films
Ahead of this weekend’s 97th Academy Awards, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced that 136 of its alums and students contributed to the productions.
Eighteen films, including “Wicked,” “Dune: Part Two,” “The Wild Rabbit,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Anora” that the grads and students used their contributions are nominated for in categories like “Best Picture,” “Best Animated Film” and “Best Visual Effects.”
“Our Oscar-nominated alumni are a source of pride and inspiration for all of our current students, other alumni, but most of all their mentor professors who helped put them on these stellar paths,” said Andra Reeve-Rabb, dean of SCAD’s School of Filming and Acting.
The Academy Award takes place March 2.
— Allison Joyner
ABL’s ‘The BRIDGE’ program selects participants to interact with mentors, business leaders
The Atlanta Business League (ABL) began this year’s mentorship program, The BRIDGE, designed to uplift entrepreneurs ages 19 to 40 with a passion for building and growing successful ventures.
The program brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and stakeholders dedicated to fostering economic empowerment and business growth for young Black people in the Atlanta metro area.
Twenty-five professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs interacted with mentors and experienced business leaders who wanted to help them gain the knowledge they had to share.
“This program is a way to form continuity in the African American business community,” said Leona Barr-Davenport, President of the ABL.
Click here to learn more about the program.
— Allison Joyner
City of Atlanta has received the Tree USA City Growth Award for the 40th year in a row
The acknowledgement comes from the Arbor Day Foundation and the Georgia Forestry Commission. The award recognizes cities that meet high standards of urban forest management. The City of Atlanta has committed to plant 3,000 trees this year.
Earlier this week, Atlanta City Council issued a proclamation designating Feb. 21, 2025 as Arbor Day in Atlanta. Commissioner Justin Cutler accepted the honor on behalf of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
DPR is partnering with Park Pride, during the month of February, to host its 2nd annual “Love Your Park” volunteer month initiative. Other co-collaborators of the citywide beautification plan include the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Chattahoochee River Keeper, Historic Oakland Foundation, Trees Atlanta, various Friends of Parks groups and park conservancies.
The effort, which includes all 12 districts, will more than double last year’s impact, servicing 30 greenspaces throughout the city of Atlanta — well beyond the 12 served last year. Over 300 volunteers participated in 2024. The collective’s ambitious goal to recruit 1,000 volunteers could be realized soon. Click here to learn more.
— Derek Prall
Battle for the Brain raises $1.8M for Alzheimer’s research
The eighth annual Battle for the Brain, the signature event hosted by Daughter’s Against Alzheimer’s, raised a record-breaking $1.8 million for Emory University’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, which marks the highest single-evening total since the event’s inception in 2017.
Featuring a raffle and silent and live auctions, the evening was highlighted by the high-energy lip sync competition that had everyone at the Coca-Cola Roxy on their feet all night. In total, more than 1,500 people saw the lip sync performances live, while online viewership peaked at just over 2,700 people.
Morgan Stanley was crowned the Performance Champion, with Miller Zell named the Runner-Up, while Julie’s Groove Crew took home the Fan Favorite Champion title, barely beating out Delta Airlines and Miller Zell.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade returns March 15
On Saturday, March 15, residents and visitors will gather once again in Midtown for the 141st Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, presented by Atlanta St. Patrick’s Foundation, Irish Network Atlanta and presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company.
Started in 1858 by the Hibernian Benevolent Society, the parade holds the title as the longest running event in Atlanta history, continuing the tradition of celebrating the city’s Irish culture and history.
In recent years, the parade has grown tremendously, setting a record in 2024 with approximately 100 units and 3,000 parade participants, ranging from floats, bands, bagpipe and drum corps to childrens’ groups, Irish dancers and animal groups. The parade is on target to at very least match last year’s numbers.
The parade will begin at noon sharp at the intersection of Peachtree Street and 15th Street and will continue down Peachtree to 5th Street, concluding at 1:30 p.m.
— Derek Prall
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