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UWG PRESENTS SPRING BB&T LECTURE SERIES FEATURING TOM SZAKY, CEO OF TERRACYCLE, INC.
Click here to listen to Mr. Szaky’s Interview with Gradick Communications
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GREEN TRADITION CONTINUES WITH LOCAL CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAM
(Carrollton, GA – January 9, 2011) – Keep Carroll Beautiful, the Home Depot, Evergreen Tree Service, and Ferry-Morse Seed Co. recently sponsored two local “Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas tree recycling events. Held on January 7th at the Home Depot locations in Carrollton and Villa Rica, this annual program allows Carroll County residents to dispose of their holiday trees in an environmentally-friendly way.
This year’s Chipper program brought in 35 trees in Carrollton and 84 in Villa Rica. Those who participated in bringing a tree were given the option of choosing from a wide array of Ferry-Morse flower and vegetable seeds.
Evergreen Tree Service employee, Mike Kinna, who volunteered at the Carrollton Home Depot location this year, says that collecting and chipping the trees is his company’s way of giving back to the Carroll County community. Kinna stated that Evergreen has partnered with KCB for the past seven years and has always been proud of the local turnout.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association (www.realchristmastrees.org) 98% of real Christmas trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource while artificial trees contain non-biodegradable plastics usually manufactured in China. On average, for each tree harvested, three seedlings are planted in its place. An estimated 40-45 million Christmas trees are planted annually throughout North America absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen and supporting local economies. Chipper trees are recycled into mulch for playgrounds, public beautification projects, wildlife habitat and homeowner landscaping projects. Mulched landscapes help absorb runoff and prevent erosion during times of heavy rainfall. Since 1991, state-wide “Bring One for the Chipper” programs have collected over 5.2 million trees and provided over one million tree seedlings to participants.
Evergreen Tree Service employee Mike Kinna loads trees into the chipper during the event at Carrollton while a local resident selects his free packets of seeds.
Volunteers Jarrod and Don Collins stack trees during the event at Villa Rica.
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KEEP CARROLL BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS FOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
(Carrollton, GA. – December 6, 2011) – The 2011 Keep Carroll Beautiful Environmental Excellence Awards luncheon was recently held to celebrate and show gratitude for the efforts of those in the community who have gone above and beyond to preserve the environment in the past year. Held at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, the event success fully honored three organizations and one individual who were each nominated by the community. After an invocation by Rev. Karen Kagiyama, the Campus Minister at the Fish House on UWG’s campus, the awards ceremony was accompanied by a buffet-style lunch provided by the Board of Directors of Keep Carroll Beautiful.
Executive Director Jacqueline Dost presented each award winner with a special plaque to commemorate their achievement. Loy Howard accepted the award on behalf of Tanner Health System, which was chosen for their Tanner Green initiative that includes recycling programs, a local farmer’s market, and many other eco-friendly practices. Great Southern Agency, LLC was also chosen in the business category for their paperless office and low carbon footprint. Gerard Paulk accepted the award on behalf of Great Southern.
In the organization category, the Earth Lovers Club at Carrollton High School was selected for an award for their efforts to educate and engage high school students in environmentalism and recycling. Club sponsor Kristie Bradford-Hunt accepted the plaque on behalf of the student organization.
Local community volunteer Linda Picklesimer, who was unable to attend the event, was also chosen to receive an award. In the past year, Ms. Picklesimer has dedicated herself to beautifying her neighborhood, has participated in recycling programs, and has been one of Keep Carroll Beautiful’s most enthusiastic and loyal volunteers.
Executive Director Jacqueline Dost presents a plaque to the Earth Lovers Club of Carrollton High School. Pictured are Ms. Dost, CHS students Sam Reeve, Jonathan Zot, Bethany DeWitt, and Lucy Hutcheson, Club sponsor Kristie Bradford-Hunt, and CHS Principle Mark Albertus.
Representatives of Great Southern Agency, LLC receive their award from Jacqueline Dost. Pictured are Ms. Dost, Gerard Paulk, Linda Miles, Rex Williams, Heidi Dalton.
Chief Development Officer of Tanner Health System & Tanner Foundation President Denise Taylor accepts the award with President and CEO of Tanner Health System Loy Howard. Also pictured are KCB staff Jacqueline Dost and Lauren Moon.
Jacqueline Dost presents an award to Linda Picklesimer for her hard work and dedication to environmental efforts in Carroll County.
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A big thank you to the 25 KCB volunteers, numerous Southwire employees, and 376 cars who came through the line to drop off materials!
Keep Carroll Beautiful Executive Director Attends Flying WILD Bird Conservation Workshop
(Carrollton, Ga.– August 24, 2011) – The Executive Director of Keep Carroll Beautiful, Jacqueline C. Dost, recently completed a two day Flying WILD workshop at the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center located just north of Rome, Ga.
A program of the Council for Environmental Education, Flying WILD is designed to teach environmental educators the concept of bird conservation so that they can in turn get students involved through standards-based classroom activities and environmental stewardship projects. The Flying WILD program encourages schools to work closely with conservation organizations, community groups, and businesses involved with birds to implement school bird festivals and bird conservation projects.
If you or your organization are interested in partnering with Keep Carroll Beautiful to promote bird conservation efforts in our local schools and community, please email us at info@keepcarrollbeautiful.org.