Environment
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maps

Athens-Clarke County Watersheds Map
Interactive map of watersheds, bodies of water, impaired streams, floodplains, and stormwater construction throughout Clarke County.

Environmental Areas Map
Shows the locations of lakes, rivers, wetlands, floodplains, and buffers on protected waterways.

Athens-Clarke County Tree Cover Map
Depicts areas covered by hardwoods, pines, turf, agriculture, kudzu, etc.

EnviroMapper
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides this online tool that generates maps showing Superfund sites, toxic releases, air emissions, hazardous waste, water discharge permits, and more.

UGA Recycling Bins

data & reports

Destination of the Week: Athens GA
Mother Nature Network reports that "The small college town of Athens, GA is thinking big when it comes to going green."

US EPA MyEnvironment
MyEnvironment provides access to a cross-section of environmental data for any geographical location in the U.S. with information about air and water quality, toxic pollutants and hazardous waste sites, and more.

State of the Air Report
The American Lung Association issues this annual report on air quality in Clarke County with data on ozone, particle pollution, at-risk groups, etc.

Metropolitan Athens Air Quality Index
Hourly measures of today's pollutant concentration in the air of Athens.

Water Quality Report
The Public Utilities Department issues annual reports on the quality of drinking water in Clarke County, plus quarterly tap water analysis reports.

Safe Drinking Water Information
U.S. EPA information about public water systems in Clarke County and their violations of EPA's drinking water regulations.

Water Quality Monitoring Data
Data collected by the Upper Oconee Watershed Network in order to identify polluted streams that require immediate attention, to monitor long-term trends in water quality, and to influence water resource policy.

National Water Information System

Provides current and historical streamflow information for the Middle Oconee River and the North Oconee River in Athens.

Best Management Practices for Community Trees
A guide to tree conservation for Athens-Clarke County.

Backyard Bird Count
A snapshot of the numbers, species, and distribution of birds in Athens.

Endangered Species
A list of protected plants and animals within Clarke County that are considered to be threatened or endangered.

organizations & agencies

ACC Community Tree Council
Dedicated to promoting and protecting our tree canopy. Provides information, outreach, and education to support a sustainable community forest and to highlight the vital role of trees in the community.

ACC Green Schools Program
A program designed to assist schools with environmental education and improvement efforts that focus on conservation, preservation, and beautification of our environment.

ACC Recycling Division
Educates the public about the importance of waste reduction and implements a comprehensive waste reduction plan to reduce landfill disposal of solid waste in the Athens-Clarke County community.

ACC Stormwater Management Program
Works to alleviate flooding, to reduce the discharge of harmful pollutants associated with stormwater runoff, and to protect the water quality of our streams and rivers.

ACC Water Conservation Office
Plans and implements programs to educate citizens and promote water conservation efforts, including school visits, teacher workshops, water treatment plant tours, and onsite water conservation programs.

Athens Land Trust
Athens Land Trust preserves land through conservation easements. ALT is committed to preserving many types of land, including woods, stream corridors, wetlands, wildlife habitat, productive farms and forests, historic sites, and scenic vistas. This “green infrastructure” helps sustain clean air and water, biodiversity, water supply and productive soils.

Bag the Bag
A group of concerned individuals advocating for the reduction of single-use plastic waste while promoting sustainable and reusable alternatives.

BikeAthens
A transportation choices organization that envisions a comprehensive transportation network that all Athenians can use with confidence and ease. Seeks to make walking, cycling, and public transit an everyday solution to transportation needs in Athens through education, advocacy, and service.

Broad River Watershed Association
A regional non-profit land trust dedicated to the protection and management of the Broad River and its watershed in northeast Georgia.

Clean Air Campaign
A nonprofit organization that helps Georgians to take action to improve air quality and reduce traffic that is working with government agencies, employers, schools and residents in Athens to help motivate commuters to use alternatives to driving alone to work, such as riding Athens Transit, carpooling, teleworking, vanpooling, biking and walking.

Elder Tree Farm
Homesteading, wilderness enjoyment, and primitive and lost skill education in Athens.

The Energy Concept
By engaging students, educators, industry, government, and NGOs, The Energy Concept at UGA aims to stimulate interdisciplinary discussion of energy-related fields throughout the UGA community and create a space for innovative ideas transcending political viewpoints.

Environmental Law Association
An organization of UGA law students who seek to further the development and advancement of environmental law through activities designed to increase environmental awareness among members of the community and the UGA student body. Hosts the annual Red Clay Conference.

Georgia Climate Change Coalition
A group of citizens and organizations that aims to increase awareness about climate change through education, advocacy, and action.

Georgia Land Conservation Center
An Athens-based organization that promotes the conservation of open land for the benefit of present and future generations.

Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance
Headquartered at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, the GPCA is a network of organizations that work to prevent local extinctions of rare plant populations, using techniques such as habitat restoration, invasive species management, and applied population genetics to protect Georgia’s most imperiled plant populations.

Georgia River Network
A statewide environmental organization based in Athens working to ensure a clean water legacy by engaging and empowering Georgians to protect, restore, and enjoy our rivers.

Jackson ECO Farm
An learning academy dedicated to environmental & agricultural education and celebrating the 'farm-to-table' agriculture concept. Holds special events, teacher workshops, and engaging outdoor learning experiences.

Keep Athens Clarke County Beautiful
A non-profit organization working to educate and empower citizens and businesses to take action as environmental stewards of litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification.

Kenney Ridge Community
An intentional conservation community located on 132 acres of rolling woods and farmland in northwestern Clarke County. The community is committed to stewardship of the land, maintenance of its natural landscape, and preservation of its function as wildlife habitat.

Let Us Compost
A curbside composting service for homes and businesses in Athens.

Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
A non-profit organization of people brought together by a love of birds and nature who strive to promote the conservation and restoration of wildlife habitat through environmental activism and community education.

Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission
A citizen committee that advises the ACC Mayor & Commission on construction, management, and development of the countywide greenway network, and recommends measures to protect the resources of the Oconee Rivers and their tributaries.

Oconee River Land Trust
A non-profit organization headquartered in Athens that partners with landowners to conserve natural forests and working lands along Georgia’s rivers, streams, and wetlands.

Odum School of Ecology
The mission of the UGA Odum School of Ecology is to advance ecological knowledge and understanding through a comprehensive search for principles and patterns regarding how organisms interact with each other and with their environment.

Orange Twin Conservation Community
Organizing a pedestrian-based eco-village while preserving 100 acres of woodland five miles from downtown Athens. Seeks to serve as a model of sustainable living using solutions that help to heal the earth.

River Basin Center
The goal of the UGA River Basin Center is to increase the capacity of communities and other individual stakeholders to manage and protect their water and related land resources in a sustainable manner.

Sandy Creek Nature Center Inc.
A private non-profit organization that partners with Athens-Clarke County to support, promote and protect the environmental education and preservation work of Sandy Creek Nature Center.

Spring Valley EcoFarms
A non-profit organization focusing on education, research, and outreach to promote more ecologically sustainable agriculture.

Students for Environmental Action
A UGA student organization that strives to create a more sustainable campus while creating a dialogue about issues in sustainability through education, service, outreach, and advocacy. Strives to create solutions to environmental problems at UGA and the surrounding community.

UGA Office Of Sustainability
Coordinates sustainability initiatives on the university campus in the areas of teaching, research, service & outreach, student engagement and campus operations. This mission includes efforts to reduce energy and water use, improve air and water quality, provide sustainable food and transportation options, minimize waste, and increase recycling.

UGArden
UGArden is a student-run learning and demonstration farm located just south of the main University of Georgia campus. The mission of UGArden is to build a community of students centered on a sustainable food system.

Upper Oconee Watershed Network
UOWN is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting water resources and improving stream health in our watershed through community-based advocacy, monitoring, education, and recreation.

Watershed UGA
A town & gown initiative to involve the UGA and Athens community in restoring the health of tributary streams to the Oconee River, transforming them into a living laboratory through teaching, research, and service.

Weed Warriors
A group of volunteers who work to restore Memorial Park to its natural state by eradicating non-native invasive plants which are causing habitat destruction and are negatively impacting wildlife populations.

Wild Intelligence
The goal at Wild Intelligence is to care for the Earth and our children by awakening and strengthening our connections with nature, community, and self. Offers programs teaching nature awareness and skills.

events

Athens Greenfest
Greenfest is an annual community-wide celebration of environmental awareness featuring programs and events focusing on nature and community improvement.

Athens Water Festival
A celebration of water with activities and fun for the whole family.

Community Tree Fair
The annual event includes a tree climbing demonstration, exhibit booths, kids booths, tree care demonstrations and more. A wide variety of tree species native to North Georgia are available for purchase.

EcoFocus Film Festival
EcoFocus showcases world-class environmental films along with panels featuring experts, filmmakers, artists, and special guests. The festival aims to promote discussion and to inspire audiences into awareness and action on behalf of the environment.

Green Life Expo
A community-wide public expo of green concepts and environmentally responsible living ideas for families, homes, and businesses. Discover ways to reduce your carbon footprint and save money by implementing more earth-friendly practices in everyday life.

Harvest Moon Dinner
A farm-to-table dinner in a beautiful setting that supports the work and mission of the Athens Land Trust while celebrating the local environment.

Red Clay Conference
An environmental law symposium sponsored by the University of Georgia School of Law's Environmental Law Association. Attendance is open to all.

Ripple Effect Film Project
Filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience create original short films about water conservation and water stewardship.

Rivers Alive
An annual event where hundreds of volunteers come together to clean and protect our local rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.

UGA Outdoor Recreation Program
Offers trips - such as backpacking, kayaking, scuba diving, rockclimbing, and caving - designed to provide fun, hands-on instructional opportunities for beginners and novices to learn the skills and safety concerns for a wide variety of outdoor activities in a supervised environment.

facilities

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
A 313-acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia to foster appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of plants and nature. Features miles of hiking trails bordering the Middle Oconee River, a 3-story tropical conservatory, and gardens showcasing native and international flora. Read about the history and growth of the Botanical Garden.

North Oconee River Greenway & Riverside Parks
The Athens Greenway system consists of over 700 acres of greenspace and riverside parks which encourage recreation and enjoyment, enhance the natural beauty of the rivers, and foster ecological diversity by preserving habitat vital to wildlife.

Sandy Creek Nature Center
225 acres of woodlands, fields, and wetlands serve as a wildlife sanctuary and environmental education facility. Provides more than 5 miles of nature trails. The Education & Visitor Center features interactive learning centers which promote understanding of our natural environment.

Cook’s Trail
A 4.1 mile path that follows the floodplain of Sandy Creek from Lake Chapman in Sandy Creek Park to Sandy Creek Nature Center where it connects to the North Oconee River Greenway. The trail crosses over boardwalks and bridges through a wetland and beaver dam swamp.

Bear Hollow Zoo
Bear Hollow's exhibits of native Georgia wildlife such as black bears, bobcats, deer, eagles, owls, and river otters teach visitors about wildlife and our community's reliance on natural systems of the environment.

Oconee Forest Park
A 60-acre natural area on the UGA campus providing recreation, teaching, and research opportunities for the community while preserving its 100-year-old forest.