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.

Introducing the Outdoor Activity Center AMPS-UGRO Initiative...

All across the industrialized world, there are areas that have a dearth of affordable healthy food choices. Atlanta is no exception as residents in some of the most economically depressed areas, found all over West Atlanta, are faced with making tough financial decisions that often leave the dinner table void of healthy, fresh and sustainable food options. For these and other reasons, it is critical that our community is galvanized around creating sustainable food systems.  And for these efforts to be successful, they will require a cross-generational, multicultural, and community-public-private partnership.

The OAC Applied Mentorship Program for Sustainability Urban Garden Resiliency and Oasis (AMPS-UGRO) was born this spring in response to food insufficiency in West Atlanta. In a food dessert  inundated with fast food swamps, this ¾ acre urban garden oasis was started by WAWA Board Members and volunteers, who are also West End residents, to help build a local, sustainable, and culturally relevant food system in West Atlanta. The OAC AMPS-UGRO site sits  atop Bush Mountain which is home to the 26-acre Outdoor Activity Center urban forest stewarded by WAWA.

The effort has garnered support from Green4All, Georgia Organics, Southeast Horticulture Society, the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, Truly Living Well, Patchwork City Farms, Farmer D, West End Neighborhood Association partners, and local faith based organizations. The mission of OAC AMPS-UGRO is to train a new generation of agtivists committed to ensuring equal access to healthy, high quality, safe and affordable food to all Atlantans, especially modest means communities and communities of color who typically have reduced access to quality produce at affordable prices.

The OAC AMPS-UGRO initiative is committed to attracting urban garden practitioners to provide urban agricultural training through research and teaching to sustain alternative food systems, enhance local economic development, and improve the quality of life in an urban setting. For more information about the program and to find out how you can help support the OAC AMPS-UGRO Initiative, please contact Imran Battla at imran@ampscorps.org or Marcus Penny at marcus@ampscorps.org or call 404-752-5385.

WAWA's Darryl Haddock Honored by UCR at Annual Patron Dinner

Darryl Haddock, Environmental Education Director for the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) was recently awarded the River Partner Award at the 17th Annual Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) Patron Dinner Program. Darryl was chosen as this year's River Partner Award recipient for his dedication over many years to help restore Northwest Atlanta's Proctor Creek Watershed and for his efforts to recruit and transport inner city youth to the Elachee Nature Center to participate in the UCR Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center.  

In partnership with the UCR,  Darryl has co-facilitated numerous Proctor Creek cleanups--- removing over 5 tons of trash from this impaired urban stream. Through Darryl's leadership WAWA has also co-hosted rain barrel construction and distribution workshops in the Proctor and Utoy Creek Watersheds, co-hosted the first-ever Proctor Creek Community Day (2010), and  participated in the Neighbor Watch Creek Monitoring program. As a part of the monitoring efforts Darryl collects weekly water samples from 3 locations along the 9 mile Proctor Creek to test for E.coli bacteria.

Congratulations, Darryl! WAWA is proud of you!

WAWA and Community Partners Tackle Illegal Dumping in Northwest Atlanta's Proctor Creek Watershed

On September 17, 2011, over 130 volunteers from Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines, with technical assistance from the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and the Fulton County Department of Public Works, assisted with the Annual Rivers Alive Proctor Creek Cleanup in Northwest Atlanta's Grove Park. Grove Park falls on the western edge of the Beltline and sits on top of the main stem of Proctor Creek as well as the Turkey-Foot Tributary that has historically been a site for illegal dumping. The volunteers picked up over 900 lbs of debris and 37 tires from the creek in order to beautify the area and properly dispose of non-point source pollution. The volunteers were enthusiastic about making such a large improvement to the area. Many also look forward to participating in future cleanups as well as advocating for stricter illegal dumping controls in order to prevent these illegal dumps from recurring.

Join WAWA for the 9/11 Days of Service

Join WAWA, Hands on Atlanta, and volunteers from the Weather Channel as we honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001 by rolling up our sleeves in service at the Outdoor Activity Center on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 9am - noon. Gather in with other community volunteers and friends of the OAC as we mulch trails, remove invasive plants, prep garden beds, and complete other meaningful projects to spruce up the OAC grounds for the fall!
 

The OAC is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310. Please send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385 to RSVP.

Final Proctor Creek Watershed Stakeholders' Meeting on Today

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)  and the City of Atlanta will host a public meeting on August 24, 2011 from 2 – 4 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the results of activities undertaken in 2011 to identify sources of E.coli bacteria in Northwest Atlanta's Proctor Creek Watershed. Meeting attendees will hear a presentation about the results of the field collection and analysis of E.coli samples and take part in a discussion of what the next steps should be to continue improving water quality in the watershed.

WAWA and partners like the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Community Improvement Association have been a part of this important project.

The meeting will be held at:
The City of Atlanta - Dept. of Watershed Management
72 Marietta St, 6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303

Please attend to learn about these critical issues impacting our community and to share your ideas on achieving a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable Proctor Creek Watershed.

WAWA's Watershed Protection and Environmental Justice Work Featured in National Online Magazine

WAWA Volunteers Clean a Segment of Proctor Creek

WAWA was featured in a recent article published in The Root, a daily online magazine that provides thought-provoking commentary on today's news from a variety of African American perspectives.

The article, Water Shortage: 6 Things to Know sheds some light on America’s growing water crisis and what communities are doing to address the issues.

Environmental Education Director, Darryl Haddock was quoted in the article and talked about the water quality problems faced by West Atlanta and other predominantly African American communities that result from aging infrastructure, outdated treatment processes, and illegal dumping.

The article further alludes to an important community victory for environmental justice that was achieved in the 1990s when plans for a combined sewage overflow (CSO) facility was defeated in Southwest Atlanta’s John A. White Park.

Read the entire article here.

To support WAWA’s watershed protection and environmental justice work in West Atlanta Neighborhoods (Proctor, Utoy, and Sandy Creek Watersheds), please visit our Memebership and Donation Page or Volunteer Page.  Please also check our Upcoming Events Page to find out about WAWA's latest happenings and opportunities to get involved with our work.

Save Water and Money: Rain Barrel Workshop - Fri. August 19th

Georgia’s historic drought and ongoing water supply concerns have continued to bring attention to the importance of water conservation and water-smart landscape and gardening practices. People every-where are seeking ways to minimize their water use, yet maintain an attractive landscape.  Rain barrels can be part of the solution. A properly installed and maintained rain barrel can save a homeowner up to 1300 gallons of water during the three summer months alone.

In collaboration with Keeping It Wild and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, WAWA will host a Rain Barrel Workshop on Friday, August 19, 2011 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Outdoor Activity Center. The workshop, which includes an animated 40-minute presentation, will cover: water issues in metro Atlanta, how to save water in your home and garden, and how to install and maintain a rain barrel. Participants will receive a 60-gallon rain barrel that they will assemble and take home that night.

The cost of the workshop is $35 and includes the rain barrel. Space is limited so registration is required.  To register or to receive more information about the workshop, send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310.

Final OAC Public Meeting - Saturday, August 13, 2011

 Join WAWA and Park Pride for an OAC Park Visioning Public Meeting on Saturday, August 13th from 10am - noon at the Outdoor Activity Center. Don't miss this opportunity to share your hopes and dreams for the way that the OAC greenspace is planned for the next 20 years. We'll review draft plans and maps for a new and improved OAC created from community input over the last several months. Get involved and make your voice heard! All neighbors, friends, and supporters of the OAC are welcome. Light refrehments will be served. 

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

WAWA/OAC Back to School Give-A-Way - Saturday, July 30th

WAWA will be hosting a Back-to-School Give-A-Way at the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) on Saturday, July 30th from 10 am until noon. Priority for the give-a-ways are children and youth residing in the Richland Hills and Oakland City communities and other neighborhoods in close proximity to the OAC. 

The school supplies will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until they run out! Come early to be one in the number!

The donations were made possible becuase of the generosity of the Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and attendees from across the country of the 2011 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Leadership Seminar which was held in Atlanta earlier this month.

Amphibian Monitoring Workshop at the Outdoor Activity Center - Friday, May 6, 2011

Join WAWA and the GA-Adopt-A-Stream Program on Friday, May 6th from 6:30-9:00 pm for an exciting workshop at which you can learn how to become more involved in amphibian conservation initiatives by collecting data on Georgia's treefrogs and salamanders. The workshop is suitable for ages 14 and older.  Come, and learn about Georgia’s rich diversity of amphibians, how you can help fill in our knowledge gaps of these creatures, and help protect and monitor them in your streams and wetlands.

Bring a  headlamp or flashlight and comfortable, water proof boots/shoes as we will be outside looking for critters! The workshop will be held at the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC).

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W., Atlanta, GA 30310. RSVP is requested at info.wawaonline@gmail.com or 404-752-5385.

 

WAWA Celebrates Earth Day 2011 With Green For All & The Ludacris Foundation at the Outdoor Activity Center

On the eve of Earth Day, 60 elementary school kids from Dobbs Elementary School in Atlanta and God's Little Angels Academy (Lithonia) visited the Outdoor Activity Center to learn about water conservation and to connect to nature by helping to install a rain garden, working to refurbish a frog pond on site, and learning about the insects and pollinators that inhabit the OAC Forest. This event was made possible through the collaboration and support of Green For All (Oakland, CA) and the Ludacris Foundation.

Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam (best known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on the Cosby Show), Atlanta Media Personality, Rasahan Ali, Rapper Ludacris' Mom, Roberta Shields, and Green for All CEO, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins were on hand to help the kids plant in the rain garden and connect to the natural world in new and special ways! Atlanta Falcons "Green" Starting Fullback Ovie Mughelli and Celebrity Chef, Ashley Clay also dropped by to join in on the fun.

Digging in the Dirt!

This was one of many events in which WAWA made a difference in the lives of children and for the planet during Earth Month, and the month's not quite over yet! Stay tumed to this site for the latest updates on WAWA's impact  and progress on achieving a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable West Atlanta.

CBS Atlanta's Web Article and Video on the event can be found here and, the CBS Atlanta Slide Show can be viewed here.  See more event photos taken by Green For All Videographer & Media Archivist, Ryan Dexter here.

2011 Urban Forestry Festival This Saturday, April 2nd - Outdoor Activity Center (11am-4pm)

After a rainy and chilly week, the clouds will break, the sky will clear, and the sun will come out again just in time for the weekend!

West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Leaders Network, Keeping It Wild, and Councilwoman Cleta Winslow invite you to celebrate Southwest Atlanta’s urban forests at the 2011 Urban Forestry Festival on this Saturday, April 2, 2011 from 11am - 4pm at the Outdoor Activity Center.

The festival is free to the public! Families are welcome to come learn more about Atlanta’s incredible urban forest and its wildlife inhabitants. The festival will feature educational and entertaining exhibits, guided hikes and tours of the 26-acre OAC urban forest, food, giveaways, and hands-on activities and demonstrations by WAWA, NWF’s Earth Tomorrow Program, the Children and Nature Network Natural Leaders, and other partners. Plans also include playing forestry and wildlife games, making fun crafts, and learning outdoor skills. This event is a great way to kick off Spring Break! 

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W., Atlanta, GA 30310. For more information, call (404) 752-5385.

Please RSVP by sending an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com to be entered into a special drawing. You must be present to win.

Countdown to Earth Day 2011...Join WAWA's 422 Campaign and Help us Gain 422 NEW Members and Donors by 4/22/11

Spring is in the air! The days are getting longer, the flowers are blooming, brown is turning to green, and Earth Day is one month away.

For WAWA, every day is Earth Day, but this year, April 22nd will be even more special for us because we will celebrate the launch of our “422 Campaign”.

Be our partner, and help us gain 422 NEW members and donors by Earth Day on 4/22/11.

As a community-based organization, WAWA achieves it mission by employing hard work, passion, commitment, and competency while leveraging the service of volunteers, community partnerships, and financial support from our community and others who believe that every community should be healthy and sustainable.  

In honor of Earth Day 2011, give the gift that gives back…support the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance.  Your membership or tax-deductible donation will make a difference in helping WAWA to fulfill its mission.

Your support is needed to advance these programs and so many more:

·    Environmental Education Field Trips and programs for West Atlanta and Title I Schools at   the Outdoor Activity Center to connect children to nature;

·    Community and family programs for “kids of all ages” at the Outdoor Activity Center, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, and the Hampton-Beecher Park;

·    Stream and forest restoration projects at the Outdoor Activity Center and Cascade Springs Nature Preserve; and

·    Water quality monitoring and watershed protection initiatives in NW Atlanta’s Proctor Creek Watershed.

You don’t have to be a resident of West Atlanta to join. If you are concerned about the health and sustainability of Metropolitan Atlanta, you know that everything is connected and that the status of West Atlanta affects the region.

Please stand up and be counted…join WAWA’s “422 Campaign” TODAY!

Click here to join WAWA or to make a secure, tax-deductible donation. Checks payable to West Atlanta Watershed Alliance can also be mailed to P.O. Box 50043, Atlanta, Georgia, 30302. 

Feel free to call us at the Outdoor Activity Center at (404) 752-5385 with any questions.

The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Thank you in advance for your support, and we look forward to working with you to build a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for West Atlanta!

Today is the Day...VOTE By 8pm EST to Help WAWA win $30K for West Atlanta Neighborhoods

The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) has been chosen as one of six finalists to receive a $30,000 national watershed grant from the River Network, a national non-profit working to improve the health of rivers and watersheds.

But, we NEED your VOTE online to win, and this is the LAST Day to be counted!

Vote for WAWA to receive the $30K grant at www.rivernetwork.org/2011-millercoors-watershed-grants-contest .

It's easy:

1) Go to the link above

2) Enter your e-mail address and your state

3) Select "West Atlanta Watershed Alliance"

4) Click on Vote!


WAWA will use the grant funds to engage low-income West Atlanta residents in water conservation initiatives to help them realize a cost savings for their water bills, and to conduct water quality monitoring, and creek clean-up/watershed restoration projects in some of the poorest and most polluted Atlanta neighborhoods.

WAWA is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring the community’s natural resources. WAWA represents African American neighborhoods in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta that are most inundated with environmental stressors, but are often least represented at environmental decision-making tables.

Voting closes at 8:00 pm EST on Sunday, March 20, 2011. But why wait? DO IT NOW! Please pass this on!

Thanks for your help!
The WAWA Team

Last Call to Help WAWA win $30K to Help Build a Cleaner, Greener, Healthier & More Sustainable West Atlanta

 The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) has been chosen as one of six finalists to receive a $30,000 national watershed grant from MillerCoors, one of the nation's top brewers and The River Network, a national non-profit working to improve the health of rivers and watersheds. But, we NEED your VOTE on-line to win! It takes less than one minute, and only your e-mail address and state are required on the on-line form.

Vote for WAWA to receive the $30K grant at www.rivernetwork.org/2011-millercoors-watershed-grants-contest .
WAWA will use the grant funds to engage West Atlanta residents in water conservation initiatives to help them realize a cost savings for their water bills, and to conduct water quality monitoring, and creek clean-up/watershed restoration projects in some of the poorest and most polluted Atlanta neighborhoods.  The funds will also be used to support programs and restoration activities at the Outdoor Activity Center and the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve! 

Because we believe that a Healthy Environment = A Healthy Community, we are committed to achieving a Cleaner, Greener, Healthier & More Sustainable West Atlanta!

Voting closes at 8:00 pm EST on Sunday, March 20, 2011. But why wait? Don't delay...VOTE TODAY!

You can only vote once, so please pass this on to family and friends and encourage them to VOTE! Don't miss this opportunity to bring these NEEDED funds home to help restore our community!

Willing Workers Needed for OAC Day of Service this Saturday - March 19, 2011

Calling ALL volunteers for the service day at the Outdoor Activity Center on THIS Saturday, March 19th from 10 am to 1 pm! Volunteers will remove invasive plants from the grounds, mulch the trails, repair foot bridges,  prepare garden beds for the spring planting season, and prepare and hang bird feeders and bird houses throughout the 26-acre urban forest preserve.  Some indoor cleaning and organization projects will also be available. Work gloves, food, and beverages will be provided for all volunteers. This will be our last opportunity to spruce up the OAC before our 2011 Urban Forestry Festival on Saturday, April 2nd! Dress for the weather, and plan to get dirty!

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W., Atlanta, GA 30310.

RSVP is requested for planning purposes. To RSVP, send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.


Less than a Week Left to Help WAWA Win Needed Grant Funds

Vote for WAWA to win a $30K grant from MillerCoors and the River Network at www.rivernetwork.org/2011-millercoors-watershed-grants-contest .  WAWA will use the grant funds to engage West Atlanta residents in water conservation initiatives, water quality monitoring, and creek clean-up/watershed restoration projects. Voting closes at 8:00 pm EST on Sunday, March 20, 2011. But why wait? Don't delay...VOTE TODAY!

WAWA Selected as One of Three Local Organizations in the Patagonia Voice Your Choice Awards Program

WAWA is one of three Georgia environmental organizations featured in the Patagonia third annual Voice Your Choice Awards Program. The Atlanta Patagonia store will collectively distribute $5,000 in grant funds to the three organizations.   

Patagonia patrons can cast their ballot for WAWA in the store from March 10-31, 2011. The top vote-getter will be awarded $2,500, with the second- and third-place organizations receiving $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

Simply stop by the store March 10 - 31, 2011, to learn about the campaign and to vote. WAWA members will be in the store on Saturday, March 12th to talk about our work and to drum of support for our local environmental protection and restoration initiatives.

WAWA will use its grant funds awarded from this program to support our participation in the Neighborhood Water Watch program in collaboration with the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Through this initiative, WAWA monitors segment of Proctor Creek in Northwest Atlanta for E.coli and other bacteria. We have also trained over 35 Northwest Atlanta residents to monitor water quality in Proctor Creek over the last year.

The Atlanta Patagonia Store is located at 34 E Andrews Dr., Atlanta, GA 30305. We would appreciate your participation and your VOTE in the awards program. Voice Your Choice for WAWA!!!

Cascade Springs Hike for Today is Postponed!

Conditions are wet and soggy at the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve this morning, so the Guided Hike scheduled for this morning will be postponed to a later date this spring.  Although many folks may still be up for venturing out for the hike despite the forecast for steady showers, our concern is for the safety of all participants.  

Check our site at http://www.wawaonline.org/ for updates for the rescheduled date, or visit the property on your own between now and then. The Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is open during the winter on Monday - Friday from 7:30 am - 3:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm.

WAWA opens the Springs on the weekends to facilitate public access to this beautiful 135-acre green oasis in the city that would otherwise be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

 The Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is located at 2852 Cascade Rd. S.W., Atlanta, GA 30311. 

WAWA Chosen as Finalist for National Watershed Grant---We Need Your Vote to Win!

The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) has been chosen as one of six finalists to receive a $30,000 national watershed grant from MillerCoors, one of the nation’s top brewers, and River Network, a national non-profit working to improve the health of rivers and watersheds.

But in order to win the grant, we need the help of our friends, members, and supporters!  This is an online voting competition; the finalist with the most votes will win the $30,000 grant, while second place will receive $10,000 and third place will receive $5,000. The remaining projects will each receive $3,000. 

The money we receive will go towards WAWA's efforts to engage underserved West Atlanta Neighborhoods in Water Conservation, Education, and Restoration.  Receiving these grant funds will allow WAWA to educate and engage West Atlanta residents in water efficiency/conservation to save water and help them realize needed savings for their households and engage residents in residential rainwater capture and conservation, green infrastructure demonstration projects, stream monitoring, cleanups and streambank stabilization. The work will happen at and around the Outdoor Activity Center, the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, and in the Proctor Creek Watershed (from English Avenue/Vine City to Donald L. Hollowell Parkway and 1-285).

  

Please show your support!  VOTE for WAWA between February 22 and March 20 at www.rivernetwork.org/2011-millercoors-watershed-grants-contest. 

Winners will be announced on March 24, 2011 at http://www.rivernetwork.org/. 

The MillerCoors River Network Grant Competition, now in its third year, was made possible by an $80,000 donation by MillerCoors to River Network.  Water flows through every step of the brewing process and is one of the main ingredients in beer, which is why MillerCoors is committed to water stewardship and   understands the importance of helping communities across the country conserve water and improve water quality. 

You can only vote once, so please pass this on to family and friends and encourage them to VOTE!

 GO WAWA!!!

Celebrate Arbor Day at the Outdoor Activity Center - Saturday, February 19, 2011

Did you know that Arbor Day is a day set aside for schools, civic clubs, and other organizations, as well as individuals, to reflect on the importance of trees in our state and across our nation? 

In 1941, the Georgia General Assembly set the third Friday in February as the day of our state Arbor Day. Arbor Day gives everyone an opportunity to learn about trees and the environmental, social, economic and health benefits they provide to communities.

On Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 1pm –3pm, the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance will introduce kids ages 5-10 to the incredible trees in the 26-acre urban forest at the Outdoor Activity Center. Included in the day’s activities are a brief hike of the OAC forest and educational/hands-on activities about the benefits and importance of trees.  A light snack and water will be provided. Don’t miss out on the fun!

This program is free of charge, but space is limited, so registration is required.  To register your child or to inquire about the program, please send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310.

. 

Learning About Birds Curriculum Training for Educators and Youth Leaders Presented at the OAC - February 12, 2011

Training and materials for the Atlanta Audubon Learning About Birds (LAB) curriculum series will be made available free of charge to formal and non-formal educators as well as leaders of youth programs at the Outdoor Activity Center (OAC) this month through a partnership between WAWA and the Atlanta Audubon Society (AAS).

LAB brings skills and understanding about birds and the habitats that support them to children, their teachers, and their communities by providing educators with training, curricula, and instructional materials. The activities and ideas in LAB provoke scientific inquiry, constructive thinking, and curiosity about nature.

As a part of the training AAS will offer full color student activity pamphlets in English and Spanish along with companion educator guides that include background information and lesson ideas aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards. The publication topics include Ten Common Birds of Atlanta, How to Use a Field Guide, What Makes a Bird...a Bird, Exploring Bird Habitat, Mysteries of Migration, Feeding Birds, and All About Owls.  Also included will be the student English/Spanish pamphlet on Grassland Birds and companion educator guide. Nature journaling instruction and materials (while supplies last) will also be weaved into the LAB activities.

The two-part LAB training session for educators and youth leaders will be hosted by WAWA and AAS on Saturday, February 12, from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. for the indoor/outdoor component with a follow-up evening session on Wednesday, February 23 from 6:30 PM- 8 PM.  A rain date for the outdoor session is set for Saturday, February 26, also from 2pm – 5pm at the OAC.

 

All LAB training sessions and materials are free of charge, but registration is required.  To register for the training sessions or to inquire about the program, please send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310.

. 

Rain Barrel and Water Conservation Workshop at OAC - Friday, February 11, 2011

Georgia’s historic drought and ongoing water supply concerns have continued to bring attention to the importance of water conservation and water-smart landscape and gardening practices. People every-where are seeking ways to minimize their water use, yet maintain an attractive landscape.  Rain barrels can be part of the solution. A properly installed and maintained rain barrel can save a homeowner up to 1300 gallons of water during the three summer months alone.

In collaboration with the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, WAWA will host a Rain Barrel Workshop on Friday, February 11, 2011 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Outdoor Activity Center. The workshop, which includes an animated 40-minute PowerPoint presentation, will cover: water issues in metro Atlanta, how to save water in your home and garden, and how to install and maintain a rain barrel. Participants will receive a free 60-gallon rain barrel, courtesy of Coca-Cola, that they will assemble and take home that night.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but space is limited so registration is required.  To register or to receive more information about the workshop, send an e-mail to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310.

WAWA and KIW Host Discussion with Frank & Audrey Peterman

It’s the dead of winter, but summer will surely come!

Join WAWA, Keeping It Wild, and Frank and Audrey Peterman on this Friday, January 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm at the Outdoor Activity Center as you discover your “Legacy on the Land” and the amazing natural wonders that you and your family can explore this summer, for little or no cost!

Frank and Audrey Peterman are the leading experts on America’s National Parks and Public Lands System. They will share stunning images and personal stories from their travels to more than 150 national parks around the country.

The Petermans are leaving Atlanta to embark on a sailing adventure around the world, and this will be their last presentation in Atlanta before they leave. Copies of their groundbreaking book, Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care, will be available for purchase.

The event is free and open to the public, but e-mail RSVPs are requested. To RSVP or for more information about the event, send an e-mail message to info.wawaonline@gmail.com or call 404-752-5385.

The Outdoor Activity Center is located at 1442 Richland Rd. S.W. Atlanta, GA 30310. 

 

Proctor Creek Clean-up This Saturday, January 22nd

WAWA invites all community volunteers to come out on this Saturday, January 22, from 1pm to 3pm, to clean up a tributary of Proctor Creek in Northwest Atlanta. Proctor Creek is one of the most environmentally impaired creeks in the metro Atlanta area, and the Proctor Creek Watershed has been a focal point for WAWA's environmental justice and community revitalization efforts for over ten years. The cleanup will be the English Avenue community near Lindsay Street Baptist Church on the corner of Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard and Lindsay Street. Registration will take place in the church parking lot at 550 Lindsay Street N.W., Atlanta 30314. 

This event is hosted by WAWA, the Community Improvement Association, and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. To participate in the clean-up, RSVP via e-mail at info.wawaonline@gmail.com or via telephone at 404-752-5385.

WAWA Salutes Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy

On the 25th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance salutes Dr. King and celebrates his legacy of service. Although icy conditions at the Outdoor Activity Center caused WAWA to cancel its Annual MLK Day of Service this year, we remain committed to continuing Dr. King's legacy of service every day of the year.

Please visit our site frequently for the latest updates on the rescheduling of the tasks planned for the 2011 MLK Day of Service and for information on all of WAWA's volunteer service opportunities. As we remember Dr. King and his work, make a commitment today to spend time, roll up your sleeves, and make an impact in West Atlanta communities by volunteering with WAWA.

Whether you are interested in helping out with office tasks at the Outdoor Activity Center or prefer to participate in our creek clean-ups, water quarter monitoring efforts, or work in one of our West Atlanta greenspaces, WAWA can use your help! Click on our Volunteer Tab for the latest information on volunteer projects, and be sure to sign up as a WAWA volunteer with Do Good, Get Rewards to receive recognition  and rewards for your volunteer service. We look forward to working with you hand in hand to build a cleaner, greener, healthier West Atlanta in 2011!

MLK Day of Service Cancelled - Winter Service Effort to Be Rescheduled

Based on the current icy conditions at the Outdoor Activity Center and concerns for safety and meaningful work projects, WAWA and its partners have decided to cancel the service day scheduled for this coming Monday, January 17th.

We will plan to schedule another big service day to complete the tasks scheduled for MLK Day in the next couple of months and before our Urban Forestry Festival scheduled for  Saturday, April 2nd.

Thanks for your support of this service day. We look forward to your continued support as we reschedule this effort! Please continue to check our site for updates on the rescheduled day of service.

Be safe, and stay warm!

Best,

The WAWA Team