This Sunday is Earth Day, and many groups have scheduled events to capitalize on the increased awareness of environmental issues that comes around this time every year.
Saturday, April 19:
Blues for Greens Earth Day Festival, Walnut Street bridge in downtown Des Moines, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Lots of eco-friendly exhibitors and music acts. For more information, go to www.bluesforgreens.com. (Note: Ed Fallon will speak at this event at 10:30 am.)
Free classes on babywearing (10 am) and cloth diapering (11 am) by local expert Sarah Reid in the Urbandale Library Conference Room. She writes, “I’ll bring my giant bag of slings and do some demos and discuss the benefits of babywearing and pros and cons of each type of carrier, and then will have open time for questions and trying on the carriers. The diapering class, I bring all my diapers that I bring to the meetings, plus more, and walk through the basics of cloth diapering, including types of diapers, pros and cons of types of diapers, how to launder, etc. We’ll also have time for questions.”
Energy Experts Open House at 527 S.W. Carriage Ct., Ankeny, IA, 11 am to 3pm. People building or remodeling homes can “learn about the house as a system” as well as about geothermal heating and cooling, windows, insulation and more. R.S.V.P. to info@PrairieFoam.com. Go to www.PrairieFoam.com for details.
Wayne J. Bingham, Architect & Author, is speaking about straw bale homes at the Des Moines Art Center at 2:00 pm. (This event is hosted by the Art Center, Center on Sustainable Communities, and Earth Day in the Junction.) Bingham will focus on choices for building shelters that account for climate stability, air and water quality, ecosystems and biodiversity. Consider attending this free lecture by the author of Small Strawbale: Natural Homes, Projects and Designs and Natural Timber Frame Homes.
Nation for Change Obama Rally, 2:30 pm at the west side of the Capitol, E. 9th St. and Grand, Des Moines. (Note: Ed Fallon will appear at this event.)
Sunday, April 20:
Earth Day in the Junction, Railroad Park in Valley Junction, West Des Moines, 9 am to 3 pm. Lots of free events, and lots of exhibitors. The Fallon campaign will be there, but I haven’t heard whether the Boswell campaign will have a table as well. (I will be helping staff tables for two non-profit groups I’m involved with.) For more information on the exhibitors and the events scheduled during the day:
www.earthdayinthejunction.org
Tuesday, April 22:
Trash Pick-Up on the Downtown Streetscapes & Trails in Des Moines, 1-4 pm. This clean-up event is organized by Operation Downtown, Des Moines Parks and Recreation, and Riverfront Development Authority. For more information on how you can make a difference or to request a reservation form, email ParksVolunteer@dmgov.org or call (515) 208- 0277.
Earthapalooza at the Iowa City Public Library, 6 pm to 9 pm. According to a press release:
The Iowa Global Warming Campaign, Sierra Club and I-Renew are hosting a special “Earth Day” event on Tuesday, April 22, which is open to members of the public. The event offers free admission and refreshments and will feature a film screening of “Global Warming: the Signs and the Science.”
(More details about the Earthapalooza event are after the jump.)
Please use this as an open thread to let us know about other events coming up over the next few days.
‘Earthapalooza’
Iowa City’s Earth Day Extravaganza
The Iowa Global Warming Campaign, Sierra Club and I-Renew are hosting a special “Earth Day” event on Tuesday, April 22, which is open to members of the public. The event offers free admission and refreshments and will feature a film screening of “Global Warming: the Signs and the Science,” a film that uses expert dialogues on global warming to talk about how we can reverse its course. After the film, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a discussion about the film and related issues. The event also includes a Sierra Club Cool Cities/Counties Press Conference & an Eco Fair with information tables from 12 local environmental groups.
WHAT: “Earthapalooza” event featuring ‘Global Warming: the Signs and the Science’ film screening and discussion. Eco Fair and Sierra Club Press Conference. Free and open to the public.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, 2008 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City Iowa
WHO: Iowa Global Warming Campaign, Sierra Club and I-Renew supporters and the public
SCHEDULE:
6:00 pm: Event starts with Mike Carberry (IGW) welcome speech about Earth Day and Global Warming Solutions.
6:15 pm: Presentation of Cool Cities/Counties Certificates to representatives of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and Johnson County. Photo opportunity and short thank you speeches by recipients.
6:45 pm: Introduction of documentary film “Global Warming: The Signs and The Science”
6:50 to 7:50 pm: Documentary film “Global Warming: The Signs and The Science”
7:50 to 8:45 pm: Discussion of film, global warming science and solutions and next steps with guests Sharon Benzoni (UI), Michelle Kenyon Brown (I-Renew) and other climate change and renewable energy experts.
The Iowa Global Warming Campaign seeks to have state and national leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, discuss publicly, frequently and specifically how they will address global warming, and pledge that they make that plan a top priority. Iowa Global Warming’s founding members are the Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Renewable Energy Association (I-Renew), Environmental Law & Policy Center, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, and Union of Concerned Scientists.
The Sierra Club’s members and supporters are more than 1.3 million of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
I-Renew (Iowa Renewable Energy Association) is a non-profit organization, founded in 1992. I-RENEW sponsors practical educational activities designed to reach individuals, farms, businesses, schools, and utilities, while also encouraging retail opportunities. The association is a vehicle for pooling and disseminating existing knowledge and experience in renewables and energy efficiency.