DeKalb County was recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission as a Green Community and achieved recertification at the Silver level. DeKalb County is one of 20 local governments in metro Atlanta — 13 cities and seven counties – currently certified under the ARC Green Communities program that showcases the many ways that local governments can reduce their environmental footprint.

The county earned certification points for sustainable measures including:

• Collecting an average of 80,000 tons of yard debris annually from residents and turning it into compost rather than sending it to the landfill. DeKalb County residents can pick up compost at no cost from four locations in the county.

• Stocking county fleet with 143 propane powered vehicles, 152 compressed natural gas-powered vehicles, 10 hybrid vehicles, and two electric cars. To fuel its CNG vehicles, the county produces and refines methane gas at its Seminole Road Landfill, and makes it available at two CNG fueling stations.

• Converting an underused multi-family apartment complex to greenspace and parkland. Brookside Park now includes a community garden, a state-of-the-art playground and walking paths.

• Acquiring 21 acres of land to form Briarlake Forest. In total, DeKalb County has added 746 acres of greenspace since 2009.

• Educating the public about federally endangered species at Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, and supporting the re-establishment of those species in the wild. The Preserve is home to the black-spored quillwort and pool sprite, two species on the federally endangered list.  

The ARC Green Communities is the first program in the country to promote sustainability through a green certification program for local governments. ARC developed the Green Communities Program in 2009 to recognize local governments that invest in programs and policies that lead to a more sustainable region.