Sharing the Journey: Ghetto Plainsmain, Jarid Manos Visits OAC

What was a cloudy, rainy day didn't discourage an inter-generational group of outdoor and environmental enthusiasts who came to the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) to spend time walking through the woods and engaging in thought-provoking conversation about the importance of ecological health, the interconnectedness of all life, and our responsibility in restoring the earth.

WAWA is grateful that Jarid Manos made the OAC a part of his Atlanta tour! Those who attended will never be the same. Thanks also to Keeping It Wild for co-sponsoring the event.

Ghetto Plainsman, Jarid Manos to Visit SW Atlanta, will Lead Hike & Presentation at the OAC on Friday, 1/20/12

Join the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) and Keeping It Wild for "Sharing the Journey" with Jarid Manos, Author of Ghetto Plainsman on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) in SW Atlanta.

Jarid, will lead a hike of the 26-acre OAC urban forest from 4:30 - 5:45 pm. At 7:00 pm, he'll then share a bit of his journey and work with the Great Plains Restoration Council (GPRC) in Houtson, Texas and the group's 12 components of ecological health. A book signing will follow.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity! Jarid is touring the country and was gracious enough to squeeze in SW Atlanta as a part of his Atlanta trip.

The hike and presentation are free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested for both events by sending and e-mail message to info.wawaonline@gmail.com. For more information, please call, (404) 752-5385.

 

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30310.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Day of Service

Join the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance for our Annual Martin Luther King Jr. service project at  the Outdoor Activity Center
1442 Richland Road Atlanta, GA 30310

When: January 16, 2012 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM


Tasks include:
1) Delineate existing trails w/ trail tools and flag a new trail leg
2) Invasive plant removal
3) Use Wheelbarrows to transport wood chip mulch, and shovels and rakes to spread mulch down
4) lots of fun in the spirit of service

Other activities will include a nature hike and historical tour including a visit to the Negro League's Atlanta Black Crackers baseball practice field.

WAWA's Na'Taki O. Jelks Named Atlanta's "Cox Conserves Hero"

After weeks of voting, WAWA Board Chair, Na’Taki Osborne Jelks, was named Atlanta's 2011 Cox Conserves Hero! Na'Taki accepted a check for $5,000 which will be donated to the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance to support community-based environmental education programs at the Outdoor Activity Center.

The Cox Conserves Heroes program was created through a partnership between TPL and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Channel 2 WSB-TV, to honor everyday conservationists. Since the program launched in 2008, nearly $180,000 has been donated to local environmental nonprofits. Cox Conserves Heroes also runs in Arizona, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Virginia.

We are so proud of Na’Taki and thankful to all of the WAWA members, friends, and supporters who helped make this important victory happen.

See Na’Taki’s Cox Conserves video below.

DRAFT Proctor Creek Watershed Improvement Plan Available for Public Comment

The DRAFT Proctor Creek Watershed Improvement Plan, prepared by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is now available for review and comment on the Cleaner Streams website. To access the document, go to www.atlantaregional.com/cleanerstreams  and the link to the file is located in the top, right corner of the page.  

WAWA has been very involved, along with other community partners, in actively improving water quality in Proctor Creek in addition to other watershed protection measures.

Submit all comments to CleanerStreams@atlantaregional.com. The DRAFT document will be available for review and comment until November 30, 2011.

Please make your voices heard!

Final Opportunity: Vote TODAY for Our "Cox Conserves Hero" and Help WAWA Win $5,000 for OAC Programs

WAWA Board Chair, Na'Taki Osborne Jelks was recently named as one of five finalists for the 2011 Cox Conserves Heroes for community leaders who volunteer for environmental causes. If she wins the on-line voting competition, WAWA will win $5,000 to continue the rebirth of the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC).

We need your VOTE TODAY to bring these needed funds home to the community. It's quick and simple...

Please go to this link: http://www.wsbtv.com/coxconservesheroes/ .

1) Click on VOTE NOW
2) Scroll down the end of the page (Na'Taki is the last finalist listed). Look under her photo and click the VOTE button.
3) Enter your e-mail address and zip code.
4) Click Submit
5) Pass this information on to someone else!

The voting deadline is TODAY at 5pm EST! Thanks in advance for your support!

Join us at the Fall Harvest Festival on TOMORROW - 10/29/11

The forecast of rain and clouds will clear up just in time for a great afternoon! Join WAWA and community partners for a great afternoon filled with fun, food, and exploration! Hike the OAC trails, visit the new Bioponica Sustainable Farming System, tour the OAC AMPS-UGRO Garden, and enjoy a beautiful fall day in the outdoors!

The festival lasts from noon - 4:00 pm.

The OAC AMPS-UGRO Garden is located at the corner of Bridges Ave. and Loma Linda SW (off of Oakland Ave. SW) and is adjacent to the Oakland City Community Garden.

For more information, please call: 404-752-5385.