Sustainable Georgia Roundup

Lasting Impact: The Georgia Conservancy, a statewide organization dedicated to environmental protection, sustainable growth and outdoor stewardship, named Gov. Nathan Deal as its 2017 Distinguished Conservationist. The honor recognizes the governor’s lasting impact on conserving and protecting the state’s natural resources during his two terms in office.

Committed Community: Serenbe founder and CEO Steve Nygren received the 2017 Argon Award for sustainability in action from Southface, a nonprofit organization that works to promote sustainable homes, workplaces and communities. The group’s highest award honored Nygren’s efforts to protect rural land south of Atlanta with a planned development set among acres of preserved forests. The Serenbe community is committed to residents’ health and the environment through innovative practices, such as miles of nature trails connecting homes with farm-to-table restaurants, cultural programming and independent shops.

Recycling Milestone: Cox Enterprises, an Atlanta-based communications, media and automotive services company, achieved the milestone of recycling more than 100,000 tons of materials since 2013. The milestone occurred on the 10th anniversary of the company’s Cox Conserves sustainability program, which has the goal of sending zero waste to landfills by 2024.

Environmental Hero: Georgia attorney and former Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from GreenLaw, a 501(c)3 public interest law firm that provides free legal and technical assistance to environmental and community organizations. Howard was dubbed an environmental hero for his efforts to protect Georgia’s land and waterways as a legal advisor, politician and community organizer.