Environmental organizations focus on the preservation and protection of the environment, including pollution control and abatement programs; conservation and development of natural resources (land, plant, water, energy); control or elimination of hazardous and toxic substances (including pesticides); solid waste management programs; botanical gardens and societies; urban beautification and open spaces programs; and environmental education. Environmental issues derive from excessive use of or harmful releases to environmental media: water, land, and air. Some of the areas of concern are water conservation, water quality, urban sprawl, transportation, and air quality.
Skip below to see grants and support toward the environment in the Atlanta region.
Skip below to learn about investment approaches for the environment.
Water Use
Georgians use 10% more water than the average American. In the Atlanta region, residences use 53% of local water. Given the region’s current rate of growth, the Metropolitan North Water District predicts that the region will run out of water by 2030. Water shortages have prompted restrictions on outdoor watering but have not fostered a culture of conservation. Georgia has issues of water quality as well. Although Georgia’s Environmental Protection Department has the responsibility for monitoring industry, farm, and government permits to withdraw and discharge water, budget constraints limit its ability to hire the staff needed to do aggressive monitoring. Rainwater can pick up grains of soil, petroleum products, or pesticide that once deposited by rainwater, can change the chemistry of waterways, affecting aquatic life in natural wetlands.
Land Use
Sprawling is a consistent pattern of lower-than-average density development. With no geographic barriers, Atlanta has no incentive to concentrate development and has grown in every direction. According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta is the least densely developed region of its size in the United States. Consequently, Atlanta residents spend on average 31 minutes per day in their cars, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Air
Air pollution is a particular concern in Metro Atlanta due to high traffic volumes and the proximity of urban residential areas to commercial and industrial activities. These activities have an adverse effect on property values and quality of life and are often disproportionately located in low-income communities where residents are neither wealthy enough nor organized enough to protect their interests.
Investment Approaches
Water, land and air are part of one ecosystem and strategies to address one media are beneficial to all others. Strategies include funding:
- alternative forms of media use like the Beltline Project and Greening
- evidence-based research and data collection that document the consequences of practices
- environmental education programs for the public and thought leaders
- leadership development programs that can offer structure, support and tools needed to engage and motivate others
- coalition building to create a more aligned environmental movement
- advocacy so those advocating for environmental quality have the same opportunity to be effective in lobbying as other entities
- litigation to support environmental law centers and legal units of multi-faceted environmental organizations in challenging decision-makers and allowing the courts to balance the private interests of some with the interests of the many.
Grants & Support
- The Community Foundation has partnered with Southface and Enterprise Community Partners to provide resources to nonprofits to “green up” their facilities and become more environmentally friendly. This initiative, known as Grants to Green, gives metro Atlanta nonprofits the opportunity to have assessments performed of existing workplaces as well as apply for financial resources to renovate or build healthier work places that are energy and water efficient. In its inaugural grant cycle in 2008, Grants to Green awarded 12 environmental assessment awards and 11 implementation awards, totaling more than $390,000.
- The price tag for planting one tree on a downtown, asphalt sidewalk costs $2,590 over a two year period. In support of its efforts to advocate for the protection of trees, $15,000 was given through a donor-advised fund to Trees Atlanta for its “Putting Down Roots” Capital Campaign. Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit citizens group dedicated to protecting and improving Atlanta’s urban environment by planting and conserving trees. Trees Atlanta was founded in 1988 by Central Atlanta Progress, the downtown business leaders association.
- Donors at The Community Foundation continue to provide grant dollars to support the efforts of Georgia Wildlife Federation (GWF). What first began as a sportsman organization in 1936, GWF has grown to become Georgia's oldest and largest conservation organization. Its diverse membership of bird watchers, hunters, hikers, gardeners and educators is united by the goal of protecting Georgia’s natural beauty and diversity.