Celebrating Earth Day... Every Day!
Earth Day Coalition Celebrates 20 Years of EarthFest

It's no secret that we should celebrate our Earth everyday. Earth Day is the perfect time hone in on that feeling, and focus on (and be thankful for) the Earth's regenerative powers and our own relationship to the Earth. Earth Day Coalition presents the 20th annual EarthFest 2009. Dubbed the celebration of The Green Generation, it sprawls the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sunday, April 19. Check in and "Party with the Planet!"

The Zoo will open be open from 10AM - 5PM with all their usual exhibits, as well as EarthFest activities and exhibits. With over 160 environmental exhibits for "climate change solutions," attendees can learn even more ways to protect the earth. Learn about cleaner ways to get from point A to point B; explore local and organic food options, and improve your home by making it more green. Family activities in environmental science, health, and fitness combined with food and live music can only be bettered by a warm and sunny April day. The Zoo also has a new Rain Garden exhibit and will be wind-powered for the entire day. Anyone who takes a plastic bag to the Zoo can exchange it for a reusable bag and visitors can calculate their carbon footprints.

Working with individuals, community organizations, municipalities, businesses and institutions, The Earth Day Coalition is a non-profit environmental education organization established in 1990. It seeks to provide a range of community-based environmental education programs, including Cleveland’s EarthFest, which is one of the longest standing and most successful Earth Day celebrations in the countryand the largest in the state of Ohio. More information about this year’s EarthFest can be found at http://www.EarthDayCoalition.org or by calling 281-6468.

Officially, Earth Day is April 22. The Earth Day Coalition’s web site gives out plenty of ammunition for working towards the better health of the Earth every day. It contains a video clip of Michael Scott discussing Mercury in Lake Erie and a link to Councilman Matt Zone’s proposed ordinance to improve air quality by banning idling vehicles. Home Depot is recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs; the website helps us save our little part of the globe with links to volunteer and information on the “Nature in the Neighborhood” open house at the Nature Preserve at Dike 14 on May 16.

It is appropriate that Cleveland’s EarthFest takes place at the Zoo (http://www.CleMetZoo.com). The Zoo houses the largest collection of primate species in North America and maintains a beautiful botanical garden for all of us to enjoy—we enjoy looking for the reclusive wolves amongst the rocks and watching the clownish chimpanzees swing from their ropes. But the Zoo is also involved in conservation, horticulture, protection of endangered species, and education programs designed to promote stewardship of the earth.

Summer camp programs, teacher resources, and family and pre-school outings feature hands on experiences that can lead to a life time of concern about environmental issues. With its work on conservation (the Zoo collects ink jet and toner cartridge for recycling, among other recycling programs) and assistance with endangered species like crocodiles and turtles (check out the American Association of Zookeepers’ Wings & Suds event at Slam Jams in North Olmsted on April 25), the Zoo is a leader in promoting safekeeping of the Earth’s resources. The Zoo’s field work research in the wild and its grants to scientists and other researchers reach out to other parts of the world to support conservation programs.

As has been the tradition, you can play for free if you participate in the Walk or Bike for the Earth or ride the RTA Clean-Air bus from Public Square to the zoo. Walks for the Earth begin and end at the zoo and Bike for the Earth begins at community locations all over the area. Details can be found on the website.

Sponsorships range from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Channel 19 to Whole Foods Market and Southwest Airlines. Sponsors Balancing Living Magazine, the Cleveland Division of Air Quality, EarthWatch Ohio, GreenCityBlueLake Institute, NEO Green Building, and Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op are sure to be on hand to provide information. EarthFest 2009, in the tradition of EarthFest, has garnered support from 30 sponsorships.

As former Vice President Al Gore maintains, the more you know, the better your choices. We all can do a better job of living green by conserving water and energy, recycling, driving less, and growing our own food. Party with the Planet and Live for the Earth at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this coming Sunday.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia J. Taller ctallerwritesATwowway.com

Claudia's Musings can be found on her blog at http://claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com
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