EIOG Presents Update on Fairburn Preserve
By: Laurie
Searle - Sept. 14, 2009
The Environmental Institute of Georgia (EIOG) presented its plans and progress for the Fairburn Nature Preserve at the Fairburn City Council work session on September 14.
The Preserve is the vision of the city of Fairburn to create a multipurpose eco-center that includes a Mitigation Bank, Nature Center, Environmental Education Center, and Conference Building on 310 acres of protected and preserved land.
Connie Thomas, EIOG Board Chair, thanked the Council for its vision and for the opportunity for EIOG to serve as the Preserve's trustee and manage its Center for Environmental Institute. She then introduced the EIOG Board members and partners from the Georgia Military College.
Dennis
Chase, EIOG board member, described plans for environmental programs that will
offer students, professionals, and residents the opportunity to learn about
nature -- in nature.
"There's something that takes over when kids go from the classroom to the field and actually experience the natural environment they're studying," Chase said. "They get very excited."
Chase is coordinating educational programs with Georgia Military College that will meet statewide standards for science classes. He also hopes to provide dedicated laboratory space in the new education center for doctoral students.
Dr.
Yomi Noibi, EIOG board member, spoke of the investment the Fairburn City Council made
to the community through the Preserve.
"The Council has made a commitment to protect, preserve, and sustain our natural resources, and we are proud to support its vision," Noibi said. "It is our hope that we can make a connection to the community so residents can enjoy the educational opportunities and become good stewards of the environment."
"We have already started to make connections through Georgia Military College," Noibi said.
Dr.
Njoroge Muigwa, chair of the Natural Science Dept. and Assistant Professor of
Natural Sciences at Georgia Military College, said the Preserve came at the
right time to help expand the program at GMC.
"My job is to enlighten students and to show them the interplay of nature and life," Muigwa said.
"I like students to get their hands a little dirty while doing research. Our students must like working in the dirt too because every day they ask, When are we going to the field?"
James
Williamson, a student at Georgia Military College, talked about the benefits of the
partnership with EIOG, GMC, and the city of Fairburn.
"College students benefit from the hands-on approach to learning. Being out in the field reinforces our classroom studies -- plus it's fun," Wilson said.
"EIOG benefits by having student volunteers to help preserve the land, and Fairburn benefits by educating students to become good stewards of the environment. It's a win, win, win combination."
Karen
Raymer, EIOG's newest board member, shared the concept design of the Preserve's
buildings
sketched by EIOG board member and architect Bill Holland.
"We keep hearing about green and ecology and sustainability," Raymer said. "The Preserve will actually teach those concepts from the ground up."
In addition to using energy-saving strategies such as solar panels and grey water collection systems, Raymer said the concept also includes suggestions to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials whenever possible.
Connie
Thomas closed the program with the good news that EIOG has been awarded funds
from the Project Wings program to manage vegetation in the power line
right-of-way. With the funds received, vegetation will be planted to enhance wildlife
populations.
Thomas also introduced Jeffrey Dinkle, who had been prepared to discuss the benefits of green commerce and the excitement of the people who want to bring their businesses to Fairburn. But due to the tight schedule, the council was invited to talk with Dinkle after their meeting.
To read more about the EIOG's plans and progress for the Fairburn Nature Preserve, down load the information packet or contact info@eiog.org. To learn more about EIOG, download the factsheet or subscribe to the EIOG newsletter.
Students
of Dr. Muigwa from Georgia Military College, pictured right, attended the
Fairburn Council work session to support the Fairburn Nature Preserve and its
partnership with GMC and EIOG.