What Is Sustainable Norcross?

Do you recycle, compost, xeriscape, use rain barrels? Would you like to learn how? Are you interested in organic and locally grown produce but cannot find it? Do you admire the fabulous tree canopy in Norcross? Ever wondered how to certify your yard as a Wildlife Habitat? Are you concerned about the quantity and quality of our water? Is it better to use paper or plastic bags at the grocery? What natural products are safe but effective? Ever considered sustainable alternatives for flooring, clothing and other products? Where can you discard old electronics?



Well, let’s learn together.



Starting a new organization can be a daunting task. Then an online training manual advised:



"Don’t wait - Get started without funding, expertise, or fear of adverse consequences.



Seek useful resources - Information on the web, in literature, in the community, in person, from experts.



Seek ways to scale up - Transform successful solutions into a movement of local significance.



Have fun projects – enjoy doing. Your efforts can result in important benefits, and you can have a good time while you’re at it!"




And that is exactly what a group of like minded citizens did. The organizational meeting was held June 1, 2008 and we've been busy ever since.



Learn more about us here on our blog or contact us now.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Closing the Loop

We came full circle Wednesday, thanks to students and staff from Wesleyan High School and a bunch of other folks along the way. Volunteers from the school were at Norcross Community Garden as part of their annual Serve-His Day. Twelve students and two staff spent the school day in a variety of chores to benefit the recently relocated community garden. They removed kudzu and other weeds and invasive plants in and around the beds, harvested produce from existing beds that are dedicated to charity, planted cold hardy seeds and plants and cover crops, installed hoops that will be draped with special landscape fabric when the weather turns cold that will aid in year round organic food production, and distributed donated wood chips for mulch. While this was the first visit by this group of students to Norcross Community Garden, it is not the first from Wesleyan High. A group of seniors assisted with site preparations for new raised beds in early April.
Since then a Norcross High Boy Scout, Kam Hopper, completed his Eagle Scout project of building and installing seven raised cedar garden beds. These joined four existing beds that were installed several years ago by Comcast Cares, an annual employee volunteer event of the cable company. Of the combined eleven beds, some are rented to private individuals in the greater Norcross area, some were planted by two different Peachtree Corners Girl Scout troops and tended by a variety of other volunteers, some were planted by additional volunteers and managed by the Board of Directors of Norcross Community Garden.
Wesleyan High volunteers were there from the beginning and back this week to harvest fresh produce donated to those in need and to enhance the garden completing the first cycle and closing the loop. A few beds are available for rent now for individuals who want to plant a row for themselves or a food bank or for sponsorship with volunteers doing the planting and tending. Contact us today. Stay in the loop with the blog or Facebook page. May the circle be unbroken.

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