Twenty years ago, when I was the director of education for the Chattahoochee Nature Center, a board member of EarthShare of Georgia came with a plea for us to sign up as a new member group. I remember clearly the reaction of the executive director: What! Pay money to join? How do we know this is a good investment? Although I didn’t express my difference of opinion at the time, I thought this might be a great idea and a way to help unite leading environmental organizations under one umbrella for a greater voice.
In a few years, Chattahoochee Nature Center became a member, joining many other leading environmental groups throughout Georgia. In its first year, EarthShare of Georgia raised $11,000 through employee giving campaigns. It has since raised more than $5 million and now helps support 70 vetted, environmental, non-profit organizations. While employee-giving programs are not new, a dedicated environmental and conservation fund was new in 1993, and EarthShare of Georgia has played a key role in expanding choice in giving, engaging employees throughout the state in environmental learning and volunteer opportunities.
Now, as executive director of EarthShare of Georgia, I often come across people who are overwhelmed and somewhat surprised by the number of active environmental groups in the state. Many of them don’t see the immediate connection of the environment to their health and well-being. To these people, Georgia’s diverse “green” movement looks like many shades of gray that meld together into one indecipherable lump.
But many outstanding environmental organizations are member groups of EarthShare of Georgia, including the Atlanta Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy and Flint Riverkeeper. Each group has a different focus, and all are dedicated to caring for Georgia’s air, land and water. In many respects, I see the range of organizations as a reflection of the diversity in the environment we seek to protect.
Further, it is because of the people in Georgia with a passion for specific environmental issues that we have a diversity of options to choose from. This choice is a good thing. It ensures that the greater environmental agenda is advanced by constituencies that have developed committed groups of supporters. For EarthShare of Georgia, we see Earth Day, which is Tuesday, as a point of entry where people who aren’t involved with the environment can take the next step to get involved.
Through EarthShare of Georgia’s annual Earth Day events, we help connect leading businesses and their employees to the work of our member groups. To learn more, visit us at www.earthsharega.org or call 404-873-3173. We’d love to add your company to our growing roster of engaged businesses.
This year, for Earth Day, I invite you to get involved and support the groups that are bringing about the change you wish to see in the world. If you do, you will see that these shades of gray will be replaced by a rainbow of causes that are equally deserving of your support.
Madeline Reamy has served as executive director of EarthShare of Georgia since 2006.
