Atlanta, GA
PHOTOS: Earth Day events and projects in metro Atlanta | April 2025
ATLANTA – April 22 is Earth Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and demonstrating support for environmental protection. Several organizations in the metro Atlanta area participated in projects or hosted events in honor of the day.
Earth Day events in metro Atlanta | April 2025
To celebrate Earth Day, Georgia’s Own Credit Union lit up its 450-foot-high tower in Downtown Atlanta with the message “HAPPY EARTH DAY” for 24 hours. In addition to the skyline tribute, employee volunteers teamed up with Trees Atlanta to help beautify the Freedom Park Trail, and the credit union is donating $1,000 to support Trees Atlanta’s year-round efforts to keep the city green and vibrant.
Courtesy of Georgia’s Own Credit Union
As part of Bank of America’s Global Service Month, Atlanta-based employees partnered with Trees Atlanta and Westside Future Fund to complete landscaping at a historic affordable housing site in Vine City. The project took place at 220 Sunset Avenue, the former childhood home of Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard H. Jackson Jr., and adjacent to the home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived at the time of his assassination. Volunteers installed a landscape design provided by Trees Atlanta, helping transform the property while honoring its civil rights legacy. This effort is one of 30 volunteer projects supported by nearly 1,000 Bank of America employees in April, contributing over 2,000 service hours toward nonprofits and community organizations across the city.
Preschoolers at Carrington Academy Preschool in Braselton released 12,000 ladybugs into the school yard for Earth Day.
In alignment with Earth Day this year, the Atlanta Braves installed and implemented eight garden towers on-site at Truist Park, where various plants will be grown and harvested for select ballpark food items throughout the season. Two of the towers will be ready for harvest this week, offering a mix of lettuce and herbs. This new urban garden can be found on the Truist Park rooftop next to the Blue Moon Beer Garden, and is in collaboration with Delaware North, the official food and beverage partner of the Atlanta Braves, and Truist Park Executive Chef Jaco Dreyer.
In celebration of Earth Day, the GE Vernova Foundation announced a new green space grant initiative, including a $500,000, two-year commitment to the Trust for Public Land’s Community Schoolyards program. Half of the funding will support projects in Atlanta—home to one of GE Vernova’s largest U.S. sites—where 10 schoolyards will be transformed into vibrant green spaces, benefiting nearly 35,000 students and residents. The “shovel-ready” projects will include stormwater systems, native plants, and tree canopies, and are designed with student participation to promote environmental education and community resilience. The foundation will also host a volunteer event at Atlanta’s Fickett Elementary School, underscoring its mission to drive sustainability and change through innovation and partnership.
On Earth Day, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena announced a major sustainability milestone—diverting more than 10 million pounds of waste from landfills since launching their zero-waste initiative. The downtown venue has recycled over 4 million pounds of materials, composted more than 3 million pounds of food and organic waste, and repurposed nearly 3 million pounds of items such as electronics and clothing. Since May 2021, State Farm Arena has consistently diverted at least 90% of its waste and became the first sports and entertainment venue in the world to earn TRUE Platinum certification for zero waste. The milestone reflects years of collaboration with fans, employees, and partners including Novelis, Kimberly-Clark, WestRock, Honeywell, and Heineken, all contributing to the arena’s mission to lead in environmental responsibility.
Atlanta, GA
From skid pad to train car: How the public safety training center is used
Atlanta officials say the $117 million facility is a game changer in allowing them to train `anytime … day or night, seven days a week.’
The Atlanta Fire Department hazmat team trains on a railcar train donated by Norfolk Southern at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
The sprawling 85-acre facility used to train Atlanta’s police and firefighters includes a mock gas station, a train track with several rail cars, a firehouse, a horse stable, a seven-story burn tower and a 28-lane indoor shooting range.
Department leaders gave an hourslong tour of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on Monday, the first in-depth look at the facility since it officially opened more than a year ago in southern DeKalb County.
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An Atlanta Police Department automobile trains on the Skid Pad at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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Atlanta Fire Department recruits line the road as the Atlanta Fire Department hazmat team trains on a railcar train donated by Norfolk Southern at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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Atlanta Police Department officers practice rappelling down the fire tower at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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Atlanta Police Department officers simulate an arrest at the city portion of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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The Atlanta Police Department trains on the gun range at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, Monday, May 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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Atlanta, GA
Fire at Chamblee apartment complex displaces more than 75 residents, closes businesses
A fire at a Chamblee apartment and retail complex displaced more than 75 people and caused a partial roof collapse, according to DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
Fire crews responded around 4:37 p.m. Sunday to the Windsor Parkview Apartments along Peachtree Boulevard after reports of a fire on the roof.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue said that crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the roof and immediately began evacuating people from the building.
Officials said the fire quickly spread across a portion of the roof, leading to a partial collapse.
Thankfully, firefighters said most of the damage appeared to be confined to the roof area.
Many of the people living at the complex spent Monday waiting for answers about when they may be allowed back inside. Some told CBS News Atlanta they were especially worried about pets and belongings left behind during the evacuation.
“We didn’t have to evacuate, as we were both already out of the house for Mother’s Day stuff. But we still have all of our stuff up in the apartment, and we have two cats that are up there, and we’re trying to figure out what exactly the plan is to get all that out of there,” said resident Thomas Wheeler. Hours later, Wheeler and his girlfriend were reunited with their cats.
Others said the uncertainty following the fire has been frustrating.
“There’s just a lot of people around with not a ton of information. The red cross was here. We got to interact with them. It was really a great experience at the Red Cross,” said resident Macy Trego.
The fire also impacted businesses located beneath the apartments.
Some workers told CBS News Atlanta they still do not know when they may be able to return to work.
“I’ve gotta get paid. Rent is high right now,” said Jeremy Snyder, who works at one of the businesses below the apartments.
Windsor Communities released a statement Monday saying it is working with the Red Cross to help displaced tenants.
“We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s fire at Windsor Parkview Apartments, and our immediate focus is on supporting the residents and families impacted by this incident,” a Windsor Communities spokesperson said. “We are grateful to the first responders and local agencies whose swift actions helped ensure residents were safely evacuated and cared for during a very difficult situation.”
The company also said it is maintaining communication with people impacted by the fire while investigators continue working to determine the cause.
Fire officials said the fire may have started from an air conditioning unit on the roof, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Windsor Parkview opened in 2021 as part of Chamblee’s redevelopment efforts along the Peachtree Boulevard corridor. CBS News Atlanta has also reached out to the City of Chamblee for additional information about the development’s role in the city’s broader revitalization plans.
Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta sewer work to close part of 10th Street
ATLANTA – Drivers in Midtown Atlanta should prepare for traffic changes this week as a new roadwork project begins along 10th Street.
What we know:
The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management said part of 10th Street will close starting Wednesday for sewer repairs.
The construction will impact the eastbound lane between Charles Allen Drive and Monroe Drive.
Officials said the repair project is expected to continue for about four weeks.
Crews will work overnight on weekdays from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. Construction activity will continue around the clock on weekends until the project is complete.
What you can do:
Motorists traveling through Midtown are encouraged to plan ahead and expect delays in the area during the closure.
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