Beltline Clean-Up with Architecture for Humanity Atlanta - 06.25.11

On Saturday June 25, 2011, Architecture for Humanity Atlanta Chapter [AFHA] Teamed up with the crew from the Center for Sustainable Communities for our Monthly BELTLINE CLEANUP !

Volunteers arrived as the dew was still fresh on the Saturday morning grass.  Folks showed up from all over the Atlanta area to take part in making the Beltline a Beautiful Reality.

We met at the Washington Park Tennis Center, and then headed east to the AFHA adopted section of the beltline.  Gloves, Rakes, Trash Bags were our tools of change, as we began to remove the discarded objects that lined the path.  I think our particular section was an old railroad line, because several people found rail spikes and other rail tie-down iron components.  In addition, it seemed as if this area had been used to dump construction debris for quite some time, so we had to focus our efforts on the removal of plastics and toxic materials in order to keep from getting overwhelmed.  As a team, we decieded that the discarded concrete and wood construction debris could remain for now.

With the help of some charismatic individuals, we collected approximately a dozen bags of garbage.  I stuffed a garden hose and vinal flooring in one bag, and helped as the team continued to make progress in the CleanUp efforts.  Everybody got a bit dirty, but, we felt great when we were done and could look back at our progress for the day.

Huge thanks to Keri Cawley, Steven Shapiro, Darius, Ryan, Kent, Tracy and Garry Harris for your good energy and hardwork --- "CleanUp to GreenUp"

to get involved with AFHA, email:  volunteer@afhatlanta.org

Celebrating WATER Week in Roswell Georgia at the "Cecil B. Wood Water Treatment Plant" on 5.7.11

"Celebrating WATER Week"












I spent the afternoon at Cecil B. Wood Water Treatment Plant in Roswell Georgia.  The Water Treatment Plant was commissioned in 1935 at a rated capacity of 300,000 gallons per day. In 1970, the plant was upgraded to produce a rate of 600,000 gallons per day. In 1990, the water plant was upgraded to its present rated capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day.  
I always enjoy learning about water.  This is the second annual tour of the plant, and I was able to attend last year as well.  Keeping up with the local water treatment methods (both uptake & discharge) and locations is vital to understanding the larger picture in Regards to Water Use & Water Conservation.  Today, I toured the Plant with my colleague Tony, and we both were awed as Mike Leonard, Water Operations Manager showcased the latest in Water Filtration technology.  The Software and computer monitoring were impressive to say the least.  We also learned that Caustic Soda, Chlorine, Fluoride, Sand, Charcoal, Gravel, and Aeration all played a part in the Filtration process at this Water Uptake & Filtration Plant.  See more pictures of the afternoon here:  MyFacebookPage  Read More about Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment in Georgia.  Read the 2025 Comprehensive Plan & Study regarding the Hydrology, and WaterShed (and Greenspace) in Roswell GA.  Check out the GIS Georgia FLOOD MAP.

 

Water has always fascinated me.  Where does it come from, where does it go?  How do we clean it?  What does dirty water mean?  How do we maintain a steady supply of healthy drinking water to millions of people daily?

 

Many people ask the same questions. I seek to find answers.  In my 3.5 years in Fulton County, I have sought to understand the Water Systems, both intake and discharge.  This has led me on a long winding journey of ecological awareness.  Today was another piece.

Years back, and while in Architecture School, I studied intensively Conventional & Unconventional WasteWater Treatment, the Local Aquifer System, and the impact of Modern Development. The Result was a project called the PURE Museum which sought to provide a Holistic Sustainable Solution to these issues, but more importantly, it further embraced and reflected my dedication to a career in GREEN ARCHITECTURE, by respecting and understanding the local ecology & hydrology.

My Journey continues.  An exciting new day is always ahead!                   

Check Out more Sustainable Solutions at www.telkerdesign.com

World Premiere of Captain Planet Season One on DVD at Renew Social Venture on 4.6.11

Barbara Pyle, Captain Planet, Andrew Telker
World Premiere of Captain Planet DVD Screening on 4.6.11

What an Amazing Night, with so many Local ECO-Voices !
Captain Planet and the Planeteers, series creators, and environmental experts came out tonight and rallied the GOOD GREEN Energy of Atlanta as Architecture for Humanity Atlanta, Renew Social Ventures, and the Planeteer Movement proudly hosted:

The World Premiere of Captain Planet Season One on DVD!

The series first-ever official DVD release was debuted with a screening of episode 1, followed by the "Making of Captain Planet BONUS features". This was a once in a lifetime event, so I couldn't miss it! Meeting Barbara Pyle, and having an opportunity to work with Architecture for Humanity Atlanta & Renew Social Venture to Host the Event was a REAL Honor.





Steven Shappiro, a fellow colleague of AHFA, started off the show with some good ECO-Insight and then led into a brief introduction of our Honored ECO-Guests. Erin Glynn of the Sierra Club was in attendance, as well as Eco-Builder Robert Soens of Pinnacle Custom Builders. We had several other ECO-Leaders in the community, too many to mention here.

Barbara Pyle spoke about Captain Planet, and the Planeteer Movement. She is such a powerful speaker, and ECO-Motivator. Her words echoed truth, conservation, and activism. I toke some mental notes of course.

Next, We screened Episode 1. A Hero for Earth - (Synopsis:) - Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, summons five teenagers from five different corners of the world to help her in the battle to save the planet. For their first assignment, the Planeteers battle Hoggish Greedly, whose oil rig operation is jeopardizing the coastline. 



Brandon Sutton followed up the Screening with a brief synopsis of the Spirit of the Gulf Coast, a project that developed as a volunteer documentary project that continues to raise awareness of the ongoing impacts of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and how the people along the coast demonstrate their resilience in light of adversity.  Brandon did a great job tieing the Captain Planet Cartoon to our Real Life concerns, with Images of the Gulf Oil Spill Crisis in 2010.  He reminded everyone in attendence to veer our Oil Consumming Habits, and recommended some simple steps including reUsing Water Bottles, Walking More, CarPool, and Conserving.



Kyle King & Barbara Pyle

HUGE thanks to Mark Hubbard at Renew Social Venture for providing the comfortable Lounge,  SUPER SCREEN, Bose Sound, seating, and atmosphere at his Venue located in Historic Downtown Roswell Georgia.   

Big ECO-Thanks to Everybody Involved! 



Follow The Planeteer Movement on Twitter @PlaneteerAlert #TPIY

"The Power Is Yours"

Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Certification on 3.19.11 @ Chattahoochee Nature Center

What is Adopt-A-Stream?

AAS is a unique effort to involve public and local communities in water quality protection. AAS is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division program designed to protect the quality of water of the 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in Georgia using citizen monitoring teams.

To adopt a section of a stream, river or lake, volunteers must attend a workshop hosted by one of the more than 50 trainers throughout the state. Group members must be recertified annually by their local trainer to continue monitoring their local waterway.

Chemical Monitoring

What do you monitor in Chemical Adopt-A-Stream?

"The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, and conductivity"

Why is it important to conduct chemical tests on your local waterway?

"All of the tests will give you a snapshot of the health of your local waterway. For instance, dissolved oxygen is needed for respiration, temperature is directly related to biological activity and pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess"

How often do you need to conduct these chemical tests?

"Once a month"

Next Training:

Location: Chattahoochee Nature Center

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 (10 am - 1 pm)

Contact: Sharon Smith - sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov

Roswell Riverwalk Phases IV & V Open House Community Input Meeting at Riverside Landing on 3.10.11

Andrew Telker & Mayor of Roswell Georgia Jere Wood at the Notice
of Public Information Open House Roswell Riverwalk Phases IV & V
 at Riverside Landing on 3.10.11

The City of Roswell Georgia, in conjunction with the National Park Service, held a public

information Open House to present alignment options for the proposed Roswell Riverwalk Trail Connection Project.

Phases IV and V of the Riverwalk Trail (Willeo Road Trail) seeks to provide connectivity between the existing trail system on Azalea Drive and Willeo Park

located near the Fulton and Cobb County Border.

Awesome Presentation by David Smith, a biologist from Ecological Solutions & Steven Rowe, Landscape Architect of AEC and lead of the Riverwalk project.  I have a Video Clip of the Presentation it is 15:15 in length.  An overview is explained about the Proposed Riverwalk Boardwalk and Pedestrian Paths.  Conceptual Images are shown on the Right.

The Mayor Jere Wood was in attendence, as well as several City of Roswell Council Members, including:  Betty Price , Becky Wynn, Kent Igleheart.  The National Park Service was in Full Force as well, with Patty Wissinger, Rick Slade, and other Park Rangers and Employees present. 

I felt right at home surrounded by Landscape Architects, Environmentalists, Park Rangers,  Civic leaders, and Community Members.  What an insightful group.  Considerations to be most noted are the sound impacts on the Local BioDiversity of the SITE, and How Pedestrian Activity may adversly affect the Ecology ("especially the 100lb snapping turtles").   Several Folks felt it was a Great ammenity to our community, and promote outdoor activities, connected communities, and lower automobile use.

Total Cost of the proposed project is 3.5 Million,with a 15-20 year Boardwalk Lifespan.  The City of Roswell will have to maintainthe Riverwalk, operating under the guidelines &  jurisdiction of the National Park System.  Additional Trail Police Patrol and Surveliance Costs have not been figured or included in this talley. One such Community Suggested Survalience Cameras, and I thought, oh geeze, you can't even get away from it all in, even in the WOODS... sheesh.  No Plans for Surveliance cameras as of yet, cost being the largest hinderance.

The Public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed alternatives that will be used during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process to select a preferred alternative. Contact Joe Glover or Jeff Pruitt, City of Roswell, at 770-641-3705, or Rick Slade, National Park Service, at 678-538-1321. Or Email your comments, regarding this project mailto:RRPD@roswellgov.com.

Email me at andrew@telkerdesign.com for a Copy of the 15 minute Presentation Video. NOW Watch This Short 33 Sec Video Clip of the Mayor adressing the community members:


"We take Great Pride in Our River, and appreciate our Partnership with the National Park Service" - Roswell Mayor Jere Wood

Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Workshop Training on 3.19.11 @ Chattahoochee Nature Center

What is Adopt-A-Stream?

AAS is a unique effort to involve public and local communities in water quality protection. AAS is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division program designed to protect the quality of water of the 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in Georgia using citizen monitoring teams.

To adopt a section of a stream, river or lake, volunteers must attend a workshop hosted by one of the more than 50 trainers throughout the state. Group members must be recertified annually by their local trainer to continue monitoring their local waterway.

Chemical Monitoring
What do you monitor in Chemical Adopt-A-Stream?
"The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, and conductivity"
 
Why is it important to conduct chemical tests on your local waterway?
"All of the tests will give you a snapshot of the health of your local waterway. For instance, dissolved oxygen is needed for respiration, temperature is directly related to biological activity and pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess"
 
How often do you need to conduct these chemical tests?
"Once a month"

Next Training:
Location:    Chattahoochee Nature Center
When:         Saturday, March 19, 2011 (10 am - 1 pm)
Contact:     Sharon Smith - sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov

Big Creek Wetlands Work Day "CLEAN-UP" on 3.5.11 --- RAINED OUT

Big Creek Park Wetland Work Day "CleanUp" on March 5, 3011 was RAINED OUT today.  Well 55F and Rainy isnt the best outdooor working weather. I guess sometimes all you can do is show up and try. Somedays you get good weather, and some days you don't.

RESCHEDULED: (3.12.11)
Join Keep Roswell Beautiful to help clean up Big Creek Wetlands Park.   The days' activities include: litter removal, planting appropriate plants, trees, flowers, and general wetlands restoration.

Location:   Big Creek Wetlands Park 1600 Old Alabama Road Roswell, GA 30076
Bring:        Work gloves, shovels, rakes, clippers [blanket or chair for picnic lunch]
Date:          Saturday March 12th 9am-12noon.