Council for Sustainability and Eco Practices at SCAD

With high gas prices on everyone’s mind, Friday, June 20 is a great time to Dump the Pump, again! While Dump the Pump continues to promote the use of all forms of alternative transportation (bikes, scooters, feet) this month’s event focuses on encouraging people to leave their cars at home and ride public transportation to save money, conserve gasoline, and help reduce traffic congestion.

Chatham Area Transit Authority offers an extensive system of routes throughout the Savannah/Chatham County community, free downtown shuttles as well as ferry service across the Savannah River to Savannah Harbour. Bus, shuttle and ferry schedules are available on CATs website at catchacat.org or by calling 912-233-5767. Once in downtown, three free shuttle routes are available. To encourage increased bus ridership, the Savannah Mall continually offers parking for commuters choosing to access bus routes at the stops located at the mall.

Recognizing that public transportation may not be a feasible option for some commuters, those who want to participate in Dump the Pump are encouraged to find carpool partners through Coastal Commuters. Dump the Pump also encourages commuters to take advantage of the connectivity offered by Savannah and walk or bike to their destinations.

And finally, remember to take the pledge to Dump the Pump at savannahtransit.com.

Dump the Pump is a collaborative effort of the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA), Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT), the City of Savannah, Coastal Commuters, Council for Sustainability and Eco Practices at SCAD, the Savannah Bicycle Campaign and the Pedestrian Advocates of the Coastal Empire.

Click here to download a .pdf of the Dump the Pump poster to post in your workplace. To download a map of free downtown shuttle routes, click here.

The Council for Sustainability and Eco Practices at SCAD has joined the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, the City of Savannah, Chatham Area Transit Authority, Coastal Commuters, the Savannah Bicycle Campaign and Pedestrian Advocates of the Coastal Empire to encourage people who work downtown to Dump the Pump and leave their cars at home on Friday, May 16.

The purpose of Dump the Pump: Leave Your Car At Home Day is to raise awareness about the benefits of using alternative modes of transportation and to encourage people from throughout the community to commute by carpooling, mass transit, bicycling and walking.

Scheduled during National Bike-to-Work week, the next Dump the Pump will focus on promoting bicycles as a viable mode of transportation in Savannah. Featuring connectivity, level terrain, great weather and tree lined streets, Savannah is a great town for bicycles. In addition to having a great city to cycle in, commuting by bicycle reduces fuel consumption and traffic congestion while providing economic, health, and environmental benefits to individuals and to the community. Furthermore, it has been proven that bicycle commuters provide significant economic benefits in downtowns including increased sales at local restaurants and retail stores.

On May 16th, a Dump the Pump Coffee Break will be held in Davant Park located at the south end of Colonial Park Cemetery on Abercorn from 7 – 9 a.m. The Dump the Pump Coffee Break will celebrate Dump the Pump participants by offering free coffee provided by Jittery Joe’s Coffee, doughnuts provided by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, and fresh fruit from Fresh Point Produce. Prizes have been donated by Bicycle Link, Georgia Bike Law, and the City of Savannah.

Recognizing that distance might serve as a deterrent for some commuters to ride bicycles, those who want to participate in Dump the Pump are encouraged to use the public transportation system offered by Chatham Area Transit or find carpool partners through Coastal Commuters.

May 16 will also feature a PACE Crosswalk Action at Liberty and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Crosswalk Action is an organized event in which a group of pedestrians repeatedly cross a street in a marked crosswalk in a legal fashion. The goal is to communicate pedestrian safety messages in a fun and friendly way. Members of the organized group carry cheerful, non-confrontational signs featuring educational and advocacy messages. Successful crosswalk actions require people! So if you are interested in participating please let us know or just meet us at the southwest corner of Liberty and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

The spirit of Dump the Pump will continue on Sunday, May 18 with the Savannah Bicycle Campaign’s second Savannah Wheelie ride. The ride will begin at 1 p.m. from Grayson Stadium in Daffin Park. Participants will be eligible for a discounted Sand Gnats ticket to that afternoon’s game.

Information regarding Dump the Pump: Leave Your Car At Home Day will be featured at www.savannahtransit.com. We ask SCAD community members to pledge to Dump the Pump and mention SCAD in their pledges.

The SCAD Sustainability Council reminds the SCAD community that Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day, and encourages participation through one or more of the following activities.

What you can do to make a difference:

• Practice a paperless teaching day
• Ride your bike to class or carpool
• Reduce energy use by turning off lights and computers, and using natural light when permitted
• Do not buy bottled drinks or use takeout containers
• Eat locally and buy locally, particularly in your neighborhood

The 12th consecutive annual celebration in Savannah Earth Day will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19th at Forsyth Park. Events include:

RecycleRama (8 - 11 a.m.),
Earth Day 5K Run (9 a.m.)
Earth Day Festival (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.).
Savannah Wheelie Earth Day Bike Ride (3 p.m.)

Attractions include:

• Live Oak Exhibition Alley with information and giveaways to make households more energy and water efficient.
• Green Bistro: more than 15 food vendors preparing tasty delights using local produce.
• Frees classes on Kitchen Composting, Rain Barrel assembly, and Native Landscaping
• Live Reptile and Bird Exhibit
• Coast Guard Helicopter
• Music and Entertainment featuring the Cajun band Feufollet from Louisiana.

For more information, visit the Earth Day Savannah Web site.