The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University recently hosted Charly Kinship at its Lunch and Learn Series. Charly started the Free Market in the Boro, recently opened her store, Kinship Endeavors, and speaks on sustainability around the community.
For the Lunch and Learn, Charly spoke of simple changes the consumer can make: choosing paper bags over plastic while shopping, bringing your own shopping bag, using a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic, utilizing digital over paper when possible, reusable food containers, and to choose products that are Fair Trade and that are also sustainably sourced.
Charly recently had her Grand Opening of Kinship Endeavors located on Northside Drive by Walker Pharmacy. She carries an array of sustainable and recycled products, handmade soap, local farm eggs, and many upcycled goods, as well as goods made by local artisans.
Charly contains a wealth of knowledge for the consumer to learn how recycle and upcycle your everyday products that are normally thrown in the trash. From cardboard boxes to use in the garden, egg cartons for starter plants, old t-shirts to turn into rags for local mechanic shops—she really knows it all and encourages consumers to reach out to her for ideas on ways to reuse, or to donate used items.
Charly says, “If we take responsibility for our actions on day to day basis, we can make progress— it's never about perfection. If we each make our efforts in our own way we can keep moving forward and keep things out of landfill.”
The Lunch and Learn Series is part of the Botanic Garden Education program. The series was started 15 years ago by Carolyn Altman, retired Director of the Garden. Their goal is to provide education on various topics to the public. In the past they have hosted author Janisse Ray, Damon Mullis, Executive Director of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Dr. Lissa Leege, Chair, Greener Boro Commission and Professor of Biology, Georgia Southern University and many more.
Centered on an early 20th century farmstead, the Garden offers visitors a unique view of the cultural and natural heritage of the Southeastern Coastal Plain, an area rich in unique and endangered plants. The Garden's nearly 11 acre site, located in the middle of the growing city of Statesboro, includes walking woodland trails, Bland Cottage, Heritage Garden, Rose Arbor, Children's Learning Garden, Camellia Garden, Native Plant Landscape Garden, Native Azalea Collection and Bog Garden.
Mission of Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University
- Promotes knowledge and appreciation of the native plants and animals of the Southeastern Coastal Plain
- Enhances the quality of life through the region by presenting classes, events, concerts, festivals, and other cultural and historically driven opportunities that connect learners of all ages with the rich natural and cultural heritage of the region.
- Inspires environmentally responsible behavior by providing a sound scientific context and demonstrating sustainable practices while pursuing scientific, cultural, and creative solutions to environmental challenges.
Kinship Endeavors is located on 2429 Northside Drive West, Statesboro, Ga. Connect with Charly Kinship by her Facebook page or email.
Keep up to date with future Botanic Garden Lunch and Lunch Series events by following The Botanic Garden on Facebook.
