News

The CHART Community Engagement Core (CEC), guided by its Partner Steering Committee, has selected three outstanding projects for the 2024-2025 CHART Community Grant. This year, we received six applications from dedicated groups across the Atlanta metro area, all focused on addressing climate-related challenges, particularly those related to heat. 

Each year, CHART’s CEC invites Atlanta residents to propose innovative projects aimed at mitigating climate and heat impacts in their neighborhoods. Applicants have spanned from established nonprofits to grassroots groups of concerned neighbors, united by a shared goal of alleviating the effects of increasingly hot summers. Through this grant program, CHART empowers community members to develop and implement sustainable solutions, with ongoing technical support from the CEC team, fostering lasting change across Atlanta. 

Read more about our community grantees below. 

Science for Georgia (Sci4Ga)

Mission statement: Science for Georgia believes science can help address and create positive change around topics such as health, climate change, and food security. Sci4Ga connects science to society through science community training and community and government outreach. Partnering with local environmental justice organizations enables Sci4Ga to open dialogues between scientists and communities so research can be applied, understood, and conducted equitably.

Project title: Climate Survival Training (CST)

Project goals, summary, and background: Nearly 60% of young people report being “extremely worried” when it comes to climate change. This anxiety is often fueled by a feeling of powerlessness; the most effective way to combat this anxiety is by reinforcing our communities. Climate Survival Trainings (CST) provide practical training around solutions that can build community resilience and have a direct impact on people’s lives and health. Science for Georgia will partner with local organizations including Southside Environmental Justice Alliance (SEJA) in South Fulton and community centers in South DeKalb Counties and host two CSTs in each community. One CST will focus on building emergency preparedness “go bags,” and another will focus on community gardening.

Grow Our Garden ATL

Mission statement: Grow Our Garden ATL strives to cultivate a healthier, more resilient South DeKalb by addressing climate change through the enhancement of biodiversity, air quality, and food security. They aim to empower their community through education, collaboration, and sustainable practices, fostering an environment where residents have access to fresh, nutritious food and green spaces that support overall well-being and ecological balance. By partnering with local schools and residents, Grow Our Garden strive to build a greener, stronger, and more connected community for current and future generations.

Project title: Green Roots: South DeKalb Community Garden and Tree Planting Initiative

Project goals, summary, and background: The “Green Roots: South DeKalb Community Garden and Tree Planting Initiative” focuses on addressing climate change and health disparities by creating green spaces and local food sources. Through partnerships with Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) Equity Just Energy Academy  and Gresham Guardians (Friends of Gresham Park), the project aims to connect with local schools and enhance community engagement in gardening activities by providing educational workshops, improving air quality, and supporting increased biodiversity.  South DeKalb, specifically Panthersville and Gresham Park, faces significant challenges with air pollution from nearby highways and food insecurity due to limited access to fresh produce. This predominantly Black community experiences high rates of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, exacerbated by environmental and socio-economic factors. This initiative seeks to mitigate these issues by promoting sustainable living practices and environmental stewardship.

Native Outfitters

Mission statement: Native Outfitters mission is to promote and educate the community of native plants within the Metropolitan Piedmont area and their benefits to protect the ecosystem and restore our terrestrial biodiversity.

Project title: Native Species Promotion

Project goals, summary, and background: Southwest Atlanta faces air pollutants, flood risks, extreme heat, and a lack of pollinators and biodiversity, making it an ideal area to introduce native species that can adapt to big temperature changes and help our landscapes combat climate change. Native Outfitters will partner with Neighbor Planning Units (NPUs) to promote native species and educate individuals on how native species improve biodiversity through presentations at monthly NPU meetings. Native Outfitters will also host community native plant swaps. Through our efforts, we hope to see more native plant species planted in residences and businesses, leading to a thriving community ecosystem.