Join The Nature Conservancy to Celebrate Georgia’s Wild Places This Earth Day, April 22

Learn how you can change the world by becoming an Everyday Environmentalist

Atlanta— April 17, 2008— This Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy is offering Georgians an array of opportunities to celebrate nature and share their ideas for helping to protect imperiled water and land resources in Georgia and beyond.

When Earth Day was established by founder Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1962, its purpose was to raise the American consciousness about environmental issues through education. As a leading international land and water conservation organization, the Conservancy is offering a number of activities and resources for the public to celebrate nature and learn more about conservation issues, so individuals can make informed decisions that can help ensure a sustainable future for their children and grandchildren.

Upcoming Earth Day Events and Activities

14th Annual Hoochie on the Coochie
Friday, April 25, 2008
7:00 p.m. to Midnight
Celebrate conservation in Georgia at The Nature Conservancy's 14th annual Hoochie on the Coochie. This festive event features live music, dancing, dining and a live auction offering a variety of nature-based trips available to the highest bidder. Included in the auction is a visit to one of The Nature Conservancy's flagship preserves, Bear Mountain Lodge in New Mexico.

The Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance is open to the public and will be held along the Chattahoochee River at the Atlanta home of Mr. and Mrs. Beverly DuBose III. Corporate sponsors and other supporters of this year's event include The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Enterprises, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power Company, Bank of America, Atlanta Gas Light, Blalock Lakes, Forestar Real Estate Group, Southwire Company, Forest Investment Associates and Coro Realty Advisors.

The cost is $100 per person; patron opportunities are available. For more information, contact Mimi Bittick at (404) 253-7208 or email mbittick@tnc.org.

Volunteer at Heggies Rock Preserve
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Join Nature Conservancy staff at one of our premier Georgia preserves – Heggie’s Rock Preserve. Enjoy the beauty of the Piedmont region while helping to remove non-native invasive species like Chinese privet, Chinese wisteria and Japenese honeysuckle. To volunteer, contact Randy Tate at (404) 253-7210 or email rtate@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy needs volunteers throughout the year to help at work parties at preserves and natural areas around the state. Learn more about upcoming work parties.

Visit a Preserve or a State Park
Birds singing, flowers blooming, mild temperatures – all signs that spring is here. And Earth Day is the perfect time to explore the wild and natural world that surrounds and sustains us. Take time this Earth Day to rejuvenate your senses and renew your commitment to the environment by visiting one of The Nature Conservancy’s 18 preserves around Georgia or one of the many public parks and natural areas.

For nearly 45 years, the Conservancy has worked with partners around the state to protect more than 262,000 acres of precious natural resources. We currently own and manage 18 preserves and have contributed to the protection of numerous state and federal natural areas and parks in Georgia, including Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area, and Moody Forest Natural Area.

Learn more about the areas we’ve helped to protect and for information about visiting our preserves.

The Nature Conservancy's Free Online Earth Day Resources

Become an Everyday Environmentalist
Inevitably, in going about our daily lives – commuting, sheltering our families, eating – each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each of us – as individuals – can do to reduce emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.

Visit nature.org and read helpful tips and personal insights from Nature Conservancy staff and leading environmental bloggers into ways we all can reduce our impact on the environment, while enriching our personal and professional lives. Then, share your ideas for becoming an everyday environmentalist.

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
Use The Nature Conservancy's online carbon footprint calculator to measure your – or your household's – climate impact. The calculator will estimate how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases your choices create each year.

Free Earth Day E-cards
Our free Earth Day ecards feature stunning nature photography of the Earth's last great places and show the landscapes and animals that we're working to protect. Sending a nature image ecard for Earth Day is a great way to share your love of nature and brighten up someone's day.

Celebrate Earth Day Today and Every Day - Join The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy's efforts to preserve the diversity of life on Earth depends solely on the support of its members. Members of The Nature Conservancy are dedicated individuals committed to saving the last great places on Earth, vital to the organization's success in preserving unspoiled, protected lands for future generations.

When you join The Nature Conservancy, you will receive a one-year subscription to our award-winning Nature Conservancy magazine, invitations to field trips and special events at Nature Conservancy preserves in Georgia and beyond, and the opportunity to create a personalized nature page on nature.org.

Receive Monthly Conservation Updates
Sign up for The Nature Conservancy's free Great Places monthly e-newsletter to stay informed about Earth Day activities near you, as well as on-going conservation work in Georgia.