YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.
Tree Care Tips
• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.
• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.
• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.
• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.
• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!
DONI JONES, OWNER
Built with Intention
In the spirit of Father’s Day, we’re highlighting the men of Decatur and beyond whose work, mentorship, and presence help shape this community. Going beyond the surface. Beyond the handshake and the highlight reel. We are going beyond the barrel.
There is something that happens when a man slows down long enough to craft something with intention, whether that is a pour, a plan, a family, or a legacy. It requires patience. It requires heat, pressure, and time. Strength is not only found in what men build, but in how they mentor, support, and care for the people around them.
In this issue, we pull back the curtain on what that actually looks like, through the stories of men who are not just showing up but showing out for this community in ways that deserve to be seen.
We are celebrating the men behind the moments. The one whose name you might not know, but whose fingerprints are on everything you love about this town. The coach. The craftsman. The father who shows up before anyone else arrives and stays after everyone else has gone home. The entrepreneur who bet on Decatur before it was a sure thing. The mentor who remembers what it felt like to need someone in his corner, and made sure the next generation would not have to go looking.
We also celebrate and share all that Decatur has to offer this summer. There are so many things to be proud of in our city. This has always been a town with a pulse, great leaders and residents.
To the men who make this place worth writing about, thank you. We see you. We honor you. And we are proud to call you neighbors.
If someone comes to mind while reading this issue, call, text or share a hug with those men in your life whom you admire and love.
Cheers,
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Lisa Thibault | lisa.thibault@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Lan Pham | lan.pham@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Caroline Ficken, Tran Bui Smith
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
1: Revival Women’s Health opens at their new 315 W Ponce de Leon location! 2: Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta cuts the ribbon in their new Decatur office on 101 W Ponde de Leon Ave. 3: The Book Bird opens its new location in the Dale in Avondale Estates.
R a d i a n t H e a l t h K i t c h e n
L i f e i s B u s y . T i m e i s P r e c i o u s .
L e t u s d o t h e c o o k i n g !
W h a t d o p a r e n t s w a n t m o s t ? A b r e a k f r o m d a i l y c h o r e s !
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business monthly
Big Boi Headlines WatchFest ’26
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 kicks off June 11, 2026, with Atlanta’s own Big Boi performing a free concert on Decatur Square, coinciding with the first FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches. Fans can enjoy 34 days of music, games, food, and match viewings. Additional concerts featuring local and international acts will follow. More details on times, tickets, and artists coming in January.
The War And Treaty at WatchFest ’26
The War And Treaty will perform a free concert June 25, 2026, on Decatur Square as part of Decatur WatchFest ’26 and the city’s 34-day celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Grammy-nominated duo will take the stage ahead of the U.S. match. Festivities include daily watch events, concerts and activities throughout the tournament.
Decatur WatchFest ’26: FIFA Celebration
Decatur joins greater Atlanta for FIFA World Cup 2026 from June 11–July 19, 2026, with eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Decatur WatchFest ’26 offers 34 days of free music, games, food, and activities on Decatur Square. Every match will be celebrated, shown in official pubs and restaurants, with pre- and postmatch concerts featuring national and local artists.
Photography by City of Decatur
DECATUR WATCHFEST ’26 IS HERE
THE 34 DAY DECATUR FESTIVAL KICKS OFF JUNE 11TH.
ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
As the world looks ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Decatur is getting ready to do what it does best: pull people together. Just six miles from downtown Atlanta, Decatur has launched its own celebration, known as Decatur WatchFest '26.
From June 11 through July 19, Decatur WatchFest will turn the newly renovated Decatur Square into a gathering place for soccer fans, music lovers, and people who just want to be part of something fun and exciting. Atlanta
gets the matches. Decatur is going for a different kind of experience, more relaxed, more local, and easier to attend.
Not everyone wants to spend the whole day in downtown Atlanta, and not everyone has a match ticket. Decatur WatchFest gives people another way to be in the middle of the action. With the Decatur MARTA station right under the Square, hopping between the stadium, the FanFest downtown, and a more neighborhood-scaled celebration is easy and accessible.
As Decaturites know, soccer is already strongly woven into the community with regular watch parties, youth leagues, and countless founding members of Atlanta United. Decatur WatchFest is building on something that was already here, not inventing it from scratch.
The matches are still the center of it all. Games will be shown around the city at designated WatchSpots, including local restaurants and pubs but the festival goes beyond the screen. The Square will have something going on every day: viewing parties, community events, and live music running throughout the entire 34 days.
It's a lineup that reflects Atlanta's musical talent and local pride, featuring Big Boi, The War And Treaty, Indigo Girls, alongside local and regional acts like The Stews and Her Majesty's Request. Many visitors will be experiencing this area for the first time, and Decatur wants to offer more than its proximity to the stadium.
City Manager Andrea Arnold explains they want visitors and residents to be part of the action. “With our live concerts and so many planned activities, we
are ready to provide a world-class experience for all who come to the Square,” Arnold says.
The timing works out for the Square itself, too. Recent renovations, part of the city's Town Center 2.0 work, have added a permanent stage, more open green space, and the capacity to accommodate larger crowds.
Getting here took more than a year of planning. City staff, public safety teams, and a community steering committee have been working through everything from logistics to the flow of the whole visitor experience.
The city hopes visitors leave with a sense of connection. The FIFA World Cup is enormous and global. These moments are personal. Whether watching a match next to strangers who become new friends or hearing a song carry across the Square at night, Decatur WatchFest will create the kind of memory that actually sticks.
Decatur WatchFest26 will be the event people bring up years later, the time the world came close to home, and Decatur made it all the more special.
Purpose in Practice
How David Junger’s decades in Decatur reshaped his view of leadership, impact, and community.
ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
DAVID JUNGER DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
Can you share a defining moment or early experience that sparked your commitment to leadership? How has that sense of purpose shifted or deepened as you’ve grown, both personally and in your career?
As of May 2026, I will have had the pleasure of working for the City of Decatur for 36 years. My career began as an intern at Georgia State University in the Criminal Justice program. In 1990, approximately one week prior to graduation, I was offered a police officer position, and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to join the City of Decatur police department. I grew up not far from the City of Decatur, in what is frequently referred to as “Greater Decatur”. It did not take long for me to realize that working in local government is where infrastructure, equity, public safety, and daily quality of life intersect most directly. I’ve had many experiences working on issues to address community concerns and public safety while also providing quality city facilities for both the community and city staff. In my various roles, I’ve made and continue to make a positive impact for employees by improving facilities and continuing to provide the tools and equipment they need to perform their work efficiently and effectively.
As my career has progressed, my sense of purpose has evolved from strictly problem-solving to stewardship and systems thinking. Early on, my focus was often on delivering projects well, getting improvements or
facilities built correctly, improving traffic flow, or implementing a plan. Over time, my perspective broadened, and I began thinking about long-term network effects, institutional knowledge and capacity, funding mechanisms, long-term maintenance, and how to scale impact beyond individual projects. My thoughts changed from “How can we fix this corridor?” to “How can we build a city that consistently delivers safer, more equitable outcomes for all of our community?”
On the personal side, my growth has come through a stronger appreciation for compromise, consensus-building, stakeholder engagement, and the complexity of public decision-making. Early in my career, my convictions were rooted in a clearer sense of right and wrong. With experience, I have gained a deeper understanding of how competing priorities such as budget constraints, political considerations, and differing community perspectives shape outcomes. My commitment has evolved from pursuing ideal solutions to navigating constraints effectively while still advancing core values such as safety, accessibility, and public trust.
Another core value of mine is building strong relationships. The work we do each day depends heavily on collaboration with colleagues at DeKalb County, the State of Georgia, MARTA, and the many utility providers who serve our area. When challenges arise, those established relationships create opportunities to solve problems and deliver meaningful improvements for our community.
A strong example is the Decatur Square Transformation project. This effort required extensive coordination with MARTA during both the pre-construction phase and throughout active construction. MARTA has been an essential partner in delivering a high-quality project that improves the Decatur Square while minimizing day-today impacts on transit riders.
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“Each day, our work should leave the city greater and more beautiful than it was when we received it.”
The communications teams from both MARTA and the City of Decatur worked diligently to ensure construction activities were completed safely while reducing disruption to riders and downtown businesses. Those strong working relationships allowed everyone to stay focused on the shared goal of creating a beautiful public space in a short timeframe while preserving the energy, character, and vitality that make Decatur such a special community.
When you think about the long-term impact of your leadership, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave — and how do you hope people in your community will describe your influence years from now?
I strive for a legacy of sustained stewardship, institutional leadership, and practical community impact.
While working in law enforcement for 15 years, I would say there was a clear focus on public safety, accountability, and direct service to residents. Our community policing approach and philosophy in the Decatur Police Department emphasized the day-today realities of community needs, which included protecting the community, solving problems under pressure, and building trust with the community.
Over nearly four decades of service, I have seen the City of Decatur organization work intentionally to break down silos and strengthen collaboration across all departments. We have consistently sought to minimize the barriers that often prevent organizations from reaching their highest potential. Instead, the City strives to create an environment where departments share a common vision and work collectively toward goals established by the community through strategic plans and project-based planning efforts.
A meaningful legacy is being part of an organization that creates the conditions for departments, employees, and future leaders to succeed long after any one individual has moved on. I believe we have made important investments in our staff, equipment, and facilities to strengthen the institution.
That institution extends beyond our city departments; it includes every member of our community. When the City of Decatur is strong, collaborative, and forward-looking, the entire community benefits.
The community may see streets and sidewalks improved, facilities modernized, services delivered efficiently, and projects completed, but I truly hope that my legacy is not only what has been built but rather how we all worked together to construct a greater community.
I hold dear the value of our culture where staff can meet rising expectations, where residents can receive quality services, and where the city is positioned to grow responsibly.
I hope that my legacy is one of a servant leader who spent 36+ years strengthening the people, systems, and infrastructure that allow the City of Decatur to serve its community well. I believe firmly in the Athenian Oath, where each day when we come to work, our actions strive to transmit the city "not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us".
Decatur WatchFest26 June Lineup
Big Boi sets the stage.
June in Decatur Square is shaping up to be less of a concert series and more of a full-on cultural moment for Atlanta, as Decatur WatchFest26 syncs live music with the global energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Leading the charge is none other than Big Boi, Atlanta royalty and one-half of Outkast, whose kickoff performance on June 11 sets the tone for a month that blends hometown pride with international flair. There’s something poetic about Big Boi opening the festivities on the very day World Cup matches begin. Two global forces, music and sport, are colliding in a hyper-local, deeply Atlanta way. Expect a crowd that spans generations: longtime fans who remember the Aquemini era, younger listeners raised on his solo work, and curious visitors drawn in by the festival buzz. With the square transformed into equal parts watch party, block party, and concert venue, the opening night promises a kinetic mix of basslines, cheers, and summer heat. And if Big Boi’s set is any indication, the rest of June will build, expand, and surprise. From gritty local rock to transatlantic tributes and genre-bending ensembles, this lineup doesn’t just fill a calendar; it tells a story about Atlanta’s musical ecosystem and its openness to influence, nostalgia, and reinvention. In short, June’s soundtrack starts big…and stays that way.
ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
The Dammages + The Stews
“Two global forces, music and sport, are colliding in a hyper-local, deeply Atlanta way.”
Atlanta’s rock backbone shows up strong mid-month with The Dammages ( June 14) and The Stews ( June 15). The Dammages lean into a gritty, rootsy blend of country, blues, and classic rock swagger, while The Stews inject a youthful, high-energy mix of indie and hard rock. Together, they offer a compelling snapshot of the city’s evolving guitar-driven scene.
Vox Britannia + John Boy & Surround Sound + LJB
Across three nights, Vox Britannia ( June 17), John Boy & Surround Sound ( June 19), and LJB ( June 21) bring stylistic range to the square. From British rock nostalgia spanning decades to funk-infused showmanship and collaborative ensemble grooves, this stretch of the lineup feels like a passport with no travel required.
The War And Treaty
Few acts command emotional gravity like The War And Treaty. The Grammynominated duo delivers soaring vocals and deeply felt songwriting that bridges soul, gospel, and country. Their June 25 performance, a gated highlight of the festival, promises a powerful, immersive experience where intimacy and grandeur meet, and where every note feels both personal and expansive.
Wolves, Lower + Her Majesty’s Request
Closing out the month, Wolves, Lower ( June 28) pays homage to R.E.M. with a thoughtful, high-energy set before hometown favorites Her Majesty’s Request ( June 30) take the stage. Known for their British rock flair and party-ready vibe, Her Majesty’s Request delivers a finale that feels both celebratory and distinctly local, ending June on a high note. With more acts to come in July, get the entire lineup at decaturwatchfest26.com/ music/#calenda
The Man Behind the Moments
Good Day Atlanta’s Paul Milliken shares his journey, his curiosity, why he’s never stopped exploring
If you’ve ever watched morning television in Atlanta, chances are you’ve spent time with Paul Milliken. He’s the familiar face bringing energy, curiosity, and a sense of fun to Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta. Whether he’s out on location or stepping in to deliver the weather, he has a way of making viewers feel like they’re right there with him.
But his story starts long before the live shots and behind-the-scenes adventures.
“I majored in broadcast journalism in college at the University of Florida (yes...I'm a Gator!). My initial goal was to study print journalism, because writing is really my first love, but I'm a big ham, too, and couldn't resist the bright lights of the news studio!”
That mix of storytelling and personality clearly paid off. “I've been the feature reporter in Atlanta since 2012, which means I get to spotlight the people, places, and events that make North Georgia so amazing. It's the absolute best. I get to explore the state and bring our viewers right along with me.”
What viewers may not realize is just how varied his career has been.
“I started in a small town and worked my way up, doing just about every job in television news that exists. I've edited newscasts, I've rolled teleprompters—you name it. Every job has been a valuable experience and has led me to where I am today.”
ARTICLE BY TRAN BUI
That hands-on journey shows up in the kinds of stories he’s drawn to most. “I’m a fan of ‘behind the scenes’ kinds of things. I’m a curious guy, so any time I get to explore places that the public doesn’t typically get to see, I’m excited. And I love adventure—from riding roller coasters to climbing mountains and crawling through caves. People seem to like to see me get down and dirty on live TV!”
Off camera, his world is just as full. “A perfect day off involves travel. My husband Steven and I spent time in Thailand late last year and it was wonderful.” When he’s not traveling, he stays busy. “So many hobbies! I'm always writing something—fiction and non-fiction. I'm a huge fan of horror movies, especially from the 1970s or 1980s. I also have some strange collections, including dozens of different editions of the board game Clue!”
Paul Milliken & husband Steven Cooper exploring New Mexico
Locally, he has his go-to spots. “I love the Roswell Riverwalk for a great morning of exercise. The Roswell Public Library has a great ‘Friends of…’ bookstore inside, and I pop in often to check out the selection. If I’m in Marietta, I have to stop by Marietta Diner!”
Grounded by family, he shares, “My parents are definitely the biggest influence on the man I am today. Both devoted their lives and careers to helping others. They are the most accepting and loving people you'll ever meet, and they both have a passion for learning that really rubbed off on me.”
And for anyone still figuring things out, his advice is refreshingly simple: “You've got time. So much of my life has been spent hurrying to get somewhere, trying to reach the next step in my career and accomplish the next big goal. Honestly, if I could go back, I wouldn't rush so much. I'd try to enjoy the moment more and trust that things will happen when they're supposed to.”
Next up? Author. “I'm really excited that my first book is being published at the end of this year,” he shares, co-writing the memoir of Ms. Louvain Demps, a Motown-era singer whose story he can’t wait to share.
“I am so lucky to get to connect with people through my job. Seriously, so lucky.”
Paul Milliken with his parents, Beth & Greg Milliken, his biggest influence
Paul Milliken, Emmy Award-winning reporter bringing stories to life on Good Day Atlanta
LIVE THRIVE KIDS DAY SPARKS GREEN
CURIOSITY
Families gathered at CHaRM DeKalb for interactive eco learning fun
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROLINE FICKEN
LIVE THRIVE Kids Day 2026 brought families together for a vibrant morning of sustainability education and hands-on fun at CHaRM DeKalb in Decatur. Held during Earth Week, the event invited children to explore recycling, composting, and environmental stewardship through interactive exhibits hosted by local organizations, schools, and businesses. From meeting wildlife ambassadors to building
projects and creating art from reused materials, every activity encouraged curiosity and action. Highlights included the announcement of the T-shirt contest and the Recycle the Runway winners. The event successfully inspired Metro Atlanta youth to adopt eco-friendly habits and make thoughtful choices supporting a cleaner, healthier community.
Learn more: livethrive.org
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AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
ARTICLE BY KIM HILL
GUYS’ GUYS’ GETAWAYS GETAWAYS
FOUR GREAT PLACES FOR GROOVES, GRUB AND GAWKING WITH BEST BROS
Has it been too long since your tribe gathered to rib and one-up each other as only guys can do? To help plan a getaway for just the guys, City Lifestyle gathered an eclectic list of locations offering tons of things to see, do and experience. Here’s hoping the only ribs one will get on this guys’ getaway are the kind to hold in hands while barbecue sauce drips onto shirts.
Scottsdale/Phoenix
There’s no other tournament on the PGA Tour like the Waste Management Phoenix Open and no hole like the legendary 16th, where 20,000 boisterous fans boo the tee shots that miss the green. The other 51 weeks of the year, golfers can play TPC Scottsdale or try one of more than 200 courses in the Scottsdale area, a top golf destination. Another winter event is the BarrettJackson Collector Car Auction. Even if one’s only collector car was a Hot Wheels, it’s a blast to peruse the acres of autos for
sale before heading inside to watch the unique or renowned cars crossing the auction block. When it’s time to get moving, the strenuous hike up Camelback Mountain in nearby Phoenix is a bucket-list item. Need a more moderate trail? Experience the same magic of the majestic saguaro cactus in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
New Orleans
It’s always a party in New Orleans (NOLA), especially when it comes to festivals, many of them centered around music. Folk to funk, gospel to jazz, zydeco, blues, African and other musical styles are celebrated on the Jazz and Heritage Festival’s 12 stages. If free admission is more desired, don’t miss the French Quarter Festival featuring local musicians and food vendors representing dozens of New Orleans restaurants. Part of the fun of Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is admiring revelers’ watercraft, some of them homemade just for this festival on the banks of Bayou Saint John. If one of the festivals can’t be attended, there’s still plenty of NOLA live music, particularly the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street. And when a break from crowds is needed, take a guided swamp tour. Kitschy, yes, but it’s a hoot to cruise around on a swamp buggy while looking for alligators.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
“America’s Sports Car” is produced at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where visitors can join guided tours to observe Corvettes being built and learn the fascinating history of these sexy autos. See examples of all Corvette generations at the National Corvette Museum. And if the need for speed is still felt, a few times a year Xtreme Experience offers driving or ride-along events in exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. After getting all revved up, cool down at Mammoth Cave National Park, the longest known cave system in the world and a World Heritage Site, where guided tours take participants through tunnels humans have used for thousands of years. And after all this touring, the Bowling Green area is the southernmost point in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail of distilleries.
Austin
Live music rules here, with iconic venues such as Antone’s, The Continental Club, the White Horse and hundreds of other locations, from dive bars to big stages. From rock and blues to country and urban, music is heard every night of the week (and many afternoons as well). When guys are hungry, there are tons of barbeque and Tex-Mex joints. Unique food trucks are truly a thing here, with nearly 2,000 food trailers in town. Burn some calories biking or running the Southern Walnut Creek Trail or one of many paved paths. Get out on the water in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Travis or Lady Bird Lake. Take a dip in the historic Barton Springs Pool, where the underground springs keep the water around 68 degrees all year.
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PreK3 & Grade 8
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ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
Celebrating ten years as a Bee City USA® and a community committed to pollinators
Beecatur
In a city known for its strong sense of community and environmental awareness, one small insect has made a remarkably big impact. As the City of Decatur celebrates a decade as Georgia’s first affiliate of Bee City USA, Beecatur continues to lead the charge in pollinator education, advocacy, and habitat creation.
At the center of that effort is Peter Helfrich, chairperson of Beecatur, a backyard beekeeper and native bee enthusiast whose leadership is deeply rooted in both community and expertise. A past president of the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association and the Georgia Beekeepers Association’s 2024 Beekeeper of the Year, Helfrich is a familiar face in local classrooms and was recognized as a Decatur Hometown Hero in 2023 for his work on behalf of bees. Since the city’s designation in July 2016, he says the most meaningful outcome has been simple but powerful: awareness. “The designation has given us a platform to spread the word about the importance of pollinators in urban settings like Decatur,” he explains. “Education is our primary mission.”
Beecatur’s roots are as grassroots as they come, sparked by a local protest and a call for authenticity in environmental stewardship. What began as a community response has grown into a vibrant, year-round initiative supported by partnerships with organizations like Wylde Center and guided by resources from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Together, they’ve transformed public spaces into pollinator habitats, engaged students in hands-on learning, and brought science directly into residents’ backyards.
From marching in local parades dressed as bees to coordinating real scientific research on pesticide drift, Beecatur blends education with action. Helfrich points to a 2023 study, conducted alongside Xerces scientists, that revealed how common mosquito sprays can harm pollinators even beyond the targeted yard. “Participating in that study was both educational and gratifying,” he says, reinforcing the group’s long-standing message.
Still, the heart of Beecatur’s mission lies in everyday choices. Through signage campaigns like “No Mow Month” and classroom visits across Decatur schools, the initiative encourages residents to see their own yards as part of a larger ecosystem. With more than 500 bee species in Georgia alone, Helfrich emphasizes that biodiversity is something anyone can witness and support right at home.
“Bees and pollinators are creatures with which we need to learn to co-exist. They are critical to the ecological health of our community.”
As Decatur marks this milestone during National Pollinator Week, Beecatur looks ahead with the same focus it began with: small steps, shared knowledge, and a community willing to let nature thrive.
The National Pollinator Week 2026 Festival returns to Decatur on June 27 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Harmony Park in Oakhurst
Create a PollinatorFriendly Yard in Decatur
Urban spaces like City of Decatur can be powerful habitats for bees and other pollinators—and helping them thrive is easier than you might think. A few simple changes can turn your yard into a welcoming refuge:
• Skip the chemicals: Avoid insecticides and herbicides that harm beneficial insects
• Plant with purpose: Choose native, perennial flowers and trees for blooms throughout the seasons
• Add water: A shallow dish or birdbath gives pollinators a place to drink
• Leave some ground bare: Many native bees nest in soil
• Keep it natural: Fallen logs and hollow stems provide important shelter
Even small steps can make a big impact—helping your backyard buzz with life while supporting a healthier local ecosystem.
