Cobb County has achieved certification as a Green Community, advancing to the Gold level. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities program is a voluntary certification program that helps local governments implement measures that will reduce their environmental impact. This nationally-recognized program recognizes governments for their commitment to environmental stewardship and their leadership in sustainability practices.

All winners earned certification points for sustainable measures implemented in their communities. Some measures that earned Cobb certification points include:

Setting up a wildlife and rain garden demonstration site that showcases methods for stream bank stabilization, residential and commercial rain gardens, as well as habitat creation.

Providing fueling stations for electric, biodiesel and propane powered vehicles. Cobb is a leader among its peers when it comes to greening its fleet.

Adopting new sustainability practice policies, under which three new county facilities have been LEED-certified. The Superior Court facility, the largest building in the county at 224,000 square feet, was certified as LEED Gold.

Incorporating greenspace, community uses and historic preservation into the county’s Green Meadows Preserve, home to both the Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden and the Cherokee Garden.

Offering 80 miles of trails, such as the Noonday Creek Trail and the Kennesaw Mountain to Chattahoochee River Trail. These trails connect users to important sites within the county, such as national parks.