In honor of World River Day, over 200 faithful Georgians to pick trash out of Atlanta waterways
What: This weekend on Sunday, Sept. 15, in celebration of World River Day, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Ismaili CIVIC, and over 200 local faith leaders have teamed up to act upon a shared ethic of environmental stewardship and cleanup sites at seven major waterways in metro Atlanta: three in DeKalb County, two in Fulton County, one in Fayette County, and one in Gwinnett County.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: Peachtree Creek Greenway (1801 Corporate Blvd NE Brookhaven, GA 30329), Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve (2580 Pine Bluff Dr, Decatur, GA 30033), Mason Mill Park (1340 McConnell Dr Decatur, GA 30033), Burdett Park (2945 Burdett Rd, South Fulton, GA 30349), Cascade Springs Nature Preserve (2852 Cascade Rd, Atlanta, GA 30311), Gingercake Creek – The Ridge Nature Area (390 Burch Rd, Fayetteville, GA 30215), and Big Haynes Creek (2005 Haynes Creek Ln Snellville 30078).
Who: Over 200 participants have registered for World River Day, representing over 20 faith communities. Planning committee members include Anum Ali (Ismaili CIVIC Liaison, SE USA), Ayesha Abid (Program Coordinator for GIPL), Rev. Carmie McDonald (Associate Rector at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany), Hannah Shultz (Program Director for GIPL), Rev. Megan Swett (Associate Rector for Children, Youth and Families at St. Luke’s Episcopal, Atlanta), Dr. Nadya Merchant (Communications and Publications Chair for Ismaili Council, SE USA), Neshma Sawja (Communications and Publications Deputy for Ismaili Council, SE USA), Shehla Hajiani (Ismaili CIVIC Lead, SE USA), and Taylor Irwin (Director of Children and Youth Ministries at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany).
Why: According to a 2022 report by Environment Georgia, the state ranks 13th for most polluted water in the United States. Over the last five years, Rivers Alive, a program of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, has removed over 2 million pounds of garbage across the state. Unsafe contaminants detrimentally impact the health of plants and animals, including humans, who depend on clean water for food, drinking, and recreation. To protect the well-being of all, it is vital faithful Georgians work together to cut water pollution.
Photo Op: Individuals and groups from diverse faiths and backgrounds cleaning up Georgia’s creeks, streams, and tributary waterways.
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Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that inspires and equips communities of faith to organize, implement practical climate solutions, and advocate across Georgia on issues of climate change, environmental justice, and community resilience. An affiliate of the national Interfaith Power and Light movement, GIPL envisions a Georgia where all people can flourish in a healthy environment, a stable climate, and resilient communities.
2024 World River Day leaders pictured (left to right): Ayesha Abid (Program Coordinator for GIPL), Hannah Shultz (Program Director for GIPL), Djalia Uwimana (Assistant Director of Children, Youth and Families at St. Luke’s Episcopal, Atlanta), Rev. Megan Swett (Associate Rector for Children, Youth and Families at St. Luke’s Episcopal, Atlanta), Josh White (Executive Director of the Peachtree Creek Greenway).
JAY HORTON
Communications Manager
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Phone: 540.421.6968
Email: jay@gipl.org
