2024 Winners: Donna Burt & Ark Coffeehaus

Initiated in 2012, the Sustainability Hero Award program celebrates exemplary individuals and organizations for their dedication, service, and leadership in sustainable practices. Nominations for the awards were open to the community; the winners were selected by members of the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee.

"Sustainability is not just a goal - it’s a legacy built by those who lead with action,” said Colin Mey, Chair of the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee. “We’re proud to honor our Sustainability Heroes: an individual whose passion lights the way and a business whose innovation proves that progress and planet can thrive together. Their commitment sets the standard, proving that every effort, large or small, shapes a greener, brighter future for us all."

Donna Burt was selected as the individual recipient of the Sustainability Hero Award for her commitment to driving community change and modeling sustainable actions in her everyday life. An avid gardener and ardent community volunteer, Donna is a member of the Dunwoody Garden Club where she co-chairs the club’s efforts to maintain the entrance of Brook Run Park. She is one of the longest-standing volunteers at the Dunwoody Nature Center, helping introduce kids to nature through summer camps. Donna cares deeply about Dunwoody’s tree canopy, having participated in the Replant the Dunwoody Forest initiative that raised money to replant thousands of trees after the 1998 tornado.

“I was born during the Depression and grew up through World War II, so sustainability was ingrained with me from the start,” explained Donna. “Conserving water is one of the simplest ways we can each work to protect our environment. Our resources are precious, and waste simply goes against my upbringing.”

Ark Coffeehaus was selected as the business recipient of the Sustainability Hero Award for its commitment to composting and regenerative farming. The local coffee shop serves as an example to other businesses by using locally sourced ingredients for its food and providing compostable plates, cups, and utensils. In addition, Ark Coffeehaus practices regenerative farming by collecting food waste from Malachi’s Storehouse to use as food for animals on the shop owners’ family farm.

“Ark Coffeehaus is honored to be this year’s recipient of the business Sustainability Hero Award by practicing the law of return: what we take from the earth we work to return and replenish,” said Priscilla Wells, co-owner of Ark Coffeehaus. “Ark will continue to implement sustainable and regenerative practices for our business and community in the future, and we look forward to helping others do the same.”

2023 Winners: Jason Metzger & Oak Avenue Landscaping

2022 Winners: Michael Cowan & Blooms of Dunwoody

2021 Winners: Laura Johnson & Dunwoody Community Garden and Orchard

2020 Winners: Pattie Baker & Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

2019 Winners: Griffith Engineering & Mary Keesee

2018 Winners: Solar CrowdSource & Su Ellis

2017 Winners: The "Green Team" at Saint Luke's Presbyterian Church & Joe Seconder

2016 Winner: Jack Warshal

2015 Winner: Tina Wilkinson

2014 Winner: Bobbi Sedam

2013 Winner: Alan Mothner

2012 Winner: Tom Lambert

2011 Winner: Mark Stulberger

Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run Park is more than a place to grow organic food; it is a place to cultivate community. Run by the 501(c)(3) Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run Park, approximately twenty percent of the produce is donated to charity. All members of the community, not just green thumbs, are encouraged to visit and see what’s sprouting at the garden. The Community Garden is open from 7:00 a.m. – sunset.

For more information visit the Facebook page, Email or write to P.O. Box 88535, Dunwoody, GA 30356.

The Dunwoody Farmer's Market provides locally grown options to the Dunwoody community at Brook Run Park. Check out its Weekly Updates here.

The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) accepts thousands of pounds of and provides education about the importance of proper disposal of hard-to-recycle materials. Check out their website here.

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) should not be disposed in the wastewater system. Check out DeKalb County's website for options for safe disposal of FOG.

The City of Dunwoody maintains a master tree list that can be found in the code of ordinances here. In 2022, the City of Dunwoody planted 108 trees and had a net gain of 72 trees.

The City of Dunwoody is in compliance with the Metro Water District Water Resource Management Plan, which includes best management practices for water supply, wastewater, and watersheds.

The City of Dunwoody maintains parking lot canopy standards that can be found in the code of ordinances here. Additionally, the City only has parking maximum requirements - no parking minimum requirements.

The City of Dunwoody has adopted an Intelligent Transportation System plan that improved traffic signal synchronization to ease congestion and reduce idling times.