Celebrating Earth Day the Decatur Way: Community, Conservation, and Commitment

April 23, 2025 by Leave a comment

In Decatur, Earth Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a reflection of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration. This year, we’re proud to highlight a variety of efforts happening across our city that demonstrate how we’re working together to protect our green spaces and nurture a healthier planet.

Pitching in at Legacy Park
Volunteers from the Atlanta Braves Foundation, Coors, and Hands On Atlanta kicked off Earth Day celebrations early with a community workday at Legacy Park. Once a home for children, this beautiful 77-acre greenspace is now home to 18 nonprofits and an evolving hub for civic engagement and environmental restoration.

On Tuesday, April 15, nearly 50 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to tackle weeding, planting, and revitalization projects throughout the park. Thanks to their hard work and generous spirit, Legacy Park is greener, cleaner, and more welcoming for all who visit and work there.

Students in Action at Hidden Cove Park
The City of Decatur’s Urban Naturalist recently led a group of Decatur High School students through a hands-on morning of environmental service at Hidden Cove Park. With shovels in hand and sleeves rolled up, these dedicated students removed invasive English ivy and planted native species to help restore the park’s natural ecosystem. Their efforts not only support local biodiversity but also build a lasting connection between youth and the natural world.

Decatur’s Sustainability Leadership Recognized
Decatur’s commitment to environmental leadership remains strong, earning the city platinum recertification in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities program. This voluntary certification recognizes local governments that go above and beyond to reduce their environmental footprint and promote sustainability.

We’re proud of the many initiatives that helped us earn this distinction, including:

  • Requiring green building certifications for all new development
  • Supporting residential solar installations with expedited permitting
  • Creating a comprehensive stormwater master plan
  • Earning national recognition as a Bee City USA, Tree City USA, Bicycle Friendly Community, and Walk Friendly Community
  • Adopting a Clean Energy Plan to transition away from fossil fuels
  • Partnering with Agnes Scott College to develop a climate resilience plan

These efforts are more than policies—they’re part of a shared vision for a city where people and nature thrive together.

A Greener Future Starts Here
From students planting native flowers to corporate volunteers digging in the dirt, Earth Day in Decatur is about action, collaboration, and care. Whether you’re biking to school, watching birds at Legacy Park, or helping remove invasive species, every step toward sustainability contributes to a stronger, greener future.

Let’s keep the momentum going—not just on Earth Day, but every day.

Filed under City of Decatur, Decatur Greenspaces, Decatur Parks & Recreation, Legacy Park Tagged with ,

Celebrate Earth Month!

April 11, 2022 by Leave a comment

Earth Month is upon us and we’re looking forward to Earth Day on April 22! If you’re still searching for fun activities and ways to celebrate, no worries—here are 10 ideas to help get you started:

  1.  Gather your friends and colleagues for a casual outdoor yoga or stretching session. This is a great activity to help you concentrate on mind-body wellness while connecting with the outdoors. Pro tip: Plan your session at sunrise or sunset for an even more beautiful and relaxing experience.
  2.  Have old outdoor gear, toys, or clothes that you’re looking to replace? Host a neighborhood clothing or toy swap. This is a great way to find a new home for items you’re looking to part with, snag some “new” goods, and reduce waste by diverting your unwanted belongings from landfills.
  3.  We’ve all heard of New Year’s resolutions, but what about Earth Day resolutions? Create a checklist with some short term and long term goals, or jot down some eco-minded ideas in a journal to inspire you to treat every day like Earth Day!
  4.  Nothing says Earth Day like a rejuvenating hike and litter clean-up combo! Whether you’re hitting the trail with a group of friends or going for a solo stroll around the neighborhood, this is a great way to get in your exercise for the day while helping to keep our planet beautiful.

    Join our Hiking Club on April 23 for an Earth Day hike around Sweetwater Creek State Park. Email Gael.Doyle@decaturga.com for more info!

  5.  Have old electronic devices or equipment sitting around? You’re not the only one! Host a drive at your workplace or school to collect e-waste and other materials that can be difficult to recycle.
  6.  Get crafty with some environmentally-inspired Do-It-Yourself projects! Transform your old T-shirts into fun reusable shopping totes, or create homemade stationary by making biodegradable seed paper.
  7.  Plant a tree, or two, or three! Get your hands dirty and plant some native flowers or trees to help restore local habitats and keep our planet beautiful.

    Check out beecaturga.com for information on pollinator habitats around the city.

  8.  There’s no better time to get started on your spring cleaning than Earth Month! Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products to make your home spotless, and get rid of clutter by collecting gently used clothes, furniture, and other household items you no longer have a use for to donate to people in need.
  9.  Earth Day is a great opportunity for us to reflect on our own ecological footprints and consider ways in which we can reduce our  impact on a daily basis. A great way to start thinking about this is by going on “scavenger hunt” of your home or your workplace to search for areas where you can reduce waste, energy, and water use. Not only will you be conserving natural resources, but the savings you generate can help your wallet too!
  10.  Find some time to enjoy nature-themed books like Dr. Suess’s The Lorax—a great option for children and adults alike!

Be sure to join us April 23rd from 10-2 for our Earth Day Festival at the Decatur Rec Center. More info can be found here!

Filed under City of Decatur, Decatur Greenspaces, Decatur Parks & Recreation Tagged with , ,

Move It Monday: Walk to the Park for Earth Day

April 22, 2019 by Leave a comment

move it monday

From our friends at #moveitmonday:

Exercise in the Park for Mental and Physical Well Being

Being outside can greatly contribute to your health and well being. On Monday, try visiting a park for a fresh perspective on your workout.

According to studies, parks are a beneficial resource: they promote physical activity, improve mental health, and even have the potential to reduce health care costs. Being outside also means your vitamin D levels will increase – you might feel happier, and your concentration levels may improve.

Walking is Real Exercise

Benefits: Walking regulates blood sugar, improves digestion, lowers blood pressure, and puts you in a great mood for the rest of the day.

Why not try a MondayMile? Do a one-mile group walk, jog, or run with family, friends, or colleagues. Plan to meet at a park close by in the morning or on your lunch hour. It could be the best pick-me-up you’ll have all day.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) at the Park

Benefits: HIIT burns a lot of calories in a short period of time.

Here’s a series of HIIT exercises designed specifically for the park. Using swings, park benches, and fences you’ll be surprised what a little creativity can do for your park workout. Do some squats, lunges, and, if you can find some stairs, climb them!

Family Fitness

Benefits: Families exercising together may see their social and emotional skills improve.

This Monday, try an outdoor jog with the stroller, go for a family bike ride, or practice for an upcoming fun run or group event. The possibilities are kind of endless!

We’re here to help you explore and find new ways to be inspired by your world. And it’s the perfect time of year to exercise in the park!

Filed under City of Decatur, Exercise Tagged with ,

“Bee Wylde” at the Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 24th

April 21, 2016 by Leave a comment

EARTH DAY POSTER BEE WYLDE (1)

Don’t miss out on the Earth Day Festival this Sunday at the Oakhurst Garden. Join in the Parade – line up at Harmony Park and wear your “bee-utiful” attire. More information at http://www.wyldecenter.org.

 

 

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , ,

Earrrrrth Day in Oakhurst April 19

April 8, 2014 by Leave a comment

earth-day-poster-2014-fnl-sm2
Join the City of Decatur and the Wylde Center as we celebrate the 45th anniversay of Earrrrth Day with a family-friendly festival on Saturday, April 19th from 1 until 4 pm at the Oakhurst Community Garden.

The day kicks off at 12:30 pm with a pirate themed parade for the entire family beginning at Harmony Park. The parade will be led by a pirate ship filled with pirates, so be sure to wear your favorite pirate gear.

The festival includes l ive music by Opposite of HeeHaw and MoRhythm; over 40 informaiton booths, free small electronics and battery recycling, a cake contest, arts and crafts and more.

For more information, click here. Meanwhile- enjoy some Pirate photos from last year.

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , , , ,

It’s Not Too Late to Enter the Earth Day T-shirt Contest!

March 20, 2014 by Leave a comment

Earth Day T-shirt Contest!

Back by popular demand: join us for an Earth Day Pirate themed t-shirt design contest. Children in grades K-12 are welcome to submit a design. Designing for a T Shirt could be a classroom exercise or extracurricular fun for any interested artist. The grand prize entry will be on the 2014 Earth Day Celebration T-Shirt and all entries will be on display at the Decatur Library.

The entry deadline is Tuesday, March 25, 5 pm and the winners will be notified on April 1.  All entries are due to the Wylde Center Offices at the Oakhurst Garden, 435 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030 and must have a submission form attached to be included in the contest. Prizes will be awarded at the 2014 City of Decatur Earth Day Celebration at the Oakhurst Garden of the Wylde Center at 1:30pm on April 19. The Oakhurst Garden of the Wylde Center is located at 435 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030. To Apply visit wyldecenter.org/decatur-earth-day-festival
A few forms will be available on the porch of the Wylde Center Offices.

Additional questions? Contact Marion@wyldecenter.org

The 2013 Winning Design by Hannah Lesser

The 2013 Winning Design by Hannah Lesser

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , ,

Enter the Earth Day Cake Contest: Pirate Theme

March 21, 2013 by Leave a comment

pirate cakeConsider baking an EARRRTH Themed cake for this year’s Cake Contest at the pirate themed Decatur Earth Day Festival! Amateur (up to 12th grade) and Professional levels! Drop off between 10am-11am on Sunday, April 21 at the Oakhurst Garden’s office, 435 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030. Please download the form, fill it out, and leave with your cake. Here is the link to the form:

http://wyldecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Decatur-Earth-Day-Festival-Cake-Competition1.pdf

Bakeries, families, groups, and individuals are welcome to submit. Don’t forget that this year is pirate themed! Judging occurs at 1:30 p.m. on April 21. Winners will be announced at 2:30ish from the stage and the cakes will be served to the public after judging. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in both categories.

Questions? Contact Andrea at Andrea@wyldecenter.org.

Check out the Decatur Earth Day Festival website at:

http://wyldecenter.org/events/decatur-earth-day-festival/

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , , ,

Active Living Celebrates Earth Day with a Oak Tree

April 22, 2011 by Leave a comment

Alan Yorker, Decatur resident and gardener grew the little oak tree from an acorn which he found on the ground in Scott Park one early morning in 2004 just as it was sprouting with a bright green shoot.  Alan planted the acorn in his garden plot immediately.  Now seven years later the acorn has grown to be a young sapling nearly nine feet  tall. The baby oak has outgrown the space in the Scott Park Community Garden and Alan offered the tree to the Lullwater Conservation Garden. The baby oak was moved on last Friday and has a new home among the mighty oaks at the Lullwater Conservation Garden. Some of the mighty oaks are approaching 100 years of age.  Special thanks to the new care givers of the baby oak tree Kim Storbeck, president of the Lullwater Garden Club and Jane Kelly.

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , , ,

Earth Day Festival in Oakhurst This Sunday

April 12, 2011 by Leave a comment

Cake Contest

Be sure to visit the annual Earth Day Festival to be held in the Oakhurst Community Garden this Sunday, April 17 from 1 until 4pm. The event begins with a Green Parade featuring the Seed & Feed Marching Abominables – meet at Harmony Park at 12:30pm and march to the Garden to kick off the festival. The event includes lots of fun crafts for the children, musical entertainment,  raptors, Cake Contest, plants for sale and more. Bring your old telephone books to recycle – we are going to see if we can fill up an empty portolet with them.

For more information visit click here.

Fun Crafts for the Children

Bring your old phone books to recycle in an empty portolet!

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , ,

Staying Active in April

April 6, 2011 by Leave a comment

This weather is awesome so get outside and enjoy it!

Some ideas for staying active in April:

Decatur Cemetery

 

Take a walk through the Decatur Cemetery and the trail in adjoining Glenlake Park. Coming soon are signs that define the walk and let you know how many steps you walked.

Take your pick from six walking routes through Decatur outlined in the Walking Tours Brochure. You can print one from here or stop by the Rec Center to pick one up.

Explore Decatur by bike. For a 10 mile fun ride and other information on biking in Decatur, click here.

The Decatur Earth Day Festival is on Sunday, April 17th from 1 until 4pm in Oakhurst. Held in the the Oakhurst Community Garden and the adjacent street, the festival features hands on activities for the children, a Raptor show. live music, and lots of “green” vendors. Join in the parade – meet at Harmony Park at 12:30pm and march to the Garden with the Seed & Feed Marching Abominables! For more information, click here.

Come on out and Touch A Truck on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am until 1pm in the Calloway Parking lot located at 120 West Trinity Place. Children of all ages have the opportunity to touch, explore and see their favorite truck or equipment on wheels. The event is free to the community.

Register to walk or run in the “Take Back the Night” race sponsored by the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center and one of the qualifying races for the Team Decatur Grand Slam Fitness Challenge. The race takes place on Saturday, April 22 and is an evening event. There will be apizza party and music after the race, which begins and ends at Agnes Scott College.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Old Courthouse Square will be held on Saturday, April 16th. The Easter Bunny arrives at 10:30am and the hunt begins at 11am. Do not be late- seriously- all the candy is gone by 11:05am! The free community event is sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.

Filed under City of Decatur Tagged with , , , , , ,

← Older posts