The installation of community bike racks is one initiative that helped Dunwoody reach gold-level recognition by the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Dunwoody, GA – January 22, 2020 – The City of Dunwoody has recently upgraded to the Gold level under the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Green Communities Program, demonstrating the city’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in sustainability practices. Dunwoody had previously been recognized at the Silver level.
The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program is a voluntary certification program that helps local governments implement measures that will reduce their environmental impact. Dunwoody is one of four communities to be certified through the Green Communities Program this year, along with the cities of Peachtree Corners, Sandy Springs, and Woodstock.
“These local governments are to be commended for showing an ongoing commitment to conserving energy and protecting our natural resources,” said Kerry Armstrong, ARC board chairman. “Their efforts set a positive example for other communities while fostering a sense of regional pride.”
Measures that earned Dunwoody certification points include:
- Installing a bioswale at Dunwoody Nature Center to handle stormwater runoff and educate residents about the function and purpose of green infrastructure
- Supporting the city’s resident-led Sustainability Committee in implementing its Sustainability Plan and providing monthly meeting space
- Installing bike racks at 18 community and school properties across the city
- Developing Dunwoody Green (for a video of the project, click here)
“We’ve worked hard for this designation and appreciate the recognition by the ARC,” said Dunwoody Community Development Director Richard McLeod. “We look forward to finding new ways to demonstrate environmental stewardship.”
In metro Atlanta, 20 local governments — 13 cities and seven counties — are currently certified under ARC’s Green Communities Program. This is the first program in the country to promote sustainability through a green certification program for local governments at the regional level.
ARC developed the Green Communities Program in 2009 to recognize local governments that invest in programs and policies that lead to a more sustainable region. The nationally-recognized program showcases the many ways that local governments can reduce their environmental footprint.
Together, the efforts of these four communities have had the following cumulative impact over the past four years:
- Planted 625 trees on government property to replace those lost during development
- Installed 11 electric vehicle charging stations at community facilities
- Collected approximately 150 tons of household hazardous waste for proper disposal, including electronics, batteries, textiles and more
- Saved 826,383 kWh/year in energy, resulting in approximately $554,000 in energy savings
More information about ARC’s Green Communities certification program, including the measures each community has implemented, is available at //atlantaregional.org/greencommunities.
The Atlanta Regional Commission is the official planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta Region, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties as well as the City of Atlanta and 73 other cities. ARC serves as a catalyst for regional progress by focusing leadership, attention and planning resources on key regional issues.
