Celebrating Earth Day: Several local events scheduled
MONROE COUNTY — Monday is Earth Day. Local plans include the annual Earth Day Expo, an electric vehicle show, a documentary on the River Raisin and an organic seedling sale. Several of the events are on April 27.
The annual Earth Day Expo returns to the Gerald Welch Health Education building at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27. Admission is free.
The expo is offered by Monroe County's Recycling & Green Community Program and other local agencies. The event celebrates “sustainability, personal health and living green,” organizers said. “Attendees can learn how individual actions can contribute to both positive personal health outcomes and a thriving planet."
“Healthy Planet, Healthy You” is this year's theme.
A welcome will begin at 11 a.m.
The family-friendly event will feature interactive exhibits on ways to conserve energy, reduce waste and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Also offered will be live music, food trucks and exhibits showcasing efforts by area schools.
Green School Awards will be given at 1:30 p.m. The Climate Literacy Project award winner will be announced at 1:45 p.m. The Climate Literacy Project challenged entrants to make sculptures using recycled materials.
Door prizes will be awarded, including a La-Z-Boy chair. Winners will be notified after the expo.
“The expo is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to engage in a community-wide dialogue on building a sustainable future together,” said Dan Rock, coordinator of the Recycling & Green Community Program. “I invite everyone to explore the local solutions on display and feel empowered to make a lasting positive impact on our environment for future generations.”
Event sponsors include the County of Monroe; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; River Raisin Institute; Monroe Family YMCA; Monroe County Library System; DTE Energy Foundation; DTE Energy; FEDCO; Monroe Community Credit Union; and La-Z-Boy.
For more information on the Recycling and Green Community Program or the Earth Day Expo, contact Rock at 734-240-7909 or visit.greenmonroecounty.com and healthymonroecounty.com.
The third annual Electric Vehicle Show will take place during the Earth Day Expo. The show will run from 9 a.m. to noon April 27 in parking lot 2, in front of the Career Technology Center, at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Road.
Admission is free. The public is welcome.
Attendees can learn about EVs, including e-motorcycles, and ask questions. Staff from auto and motorcycle dealerships are expected to attend.
“Come see the latest EVs, drive some of them and learn from the owners their experiences buying and owning an EV,” MCCC said in a news release. “Check out charging equipment currently on the market and learn about the current and emerging EV charging infrastructure. Meet automotive dealership and manufacturing representatives, network providers, DTE Energy officials, charging company representatives, governmental officials and more.”
Prospective MCCC students also can learn about MCCC’s Automotive Service Technology program.
To learn more, contact Peter Coomar at pcoomar@monroeccc.edu or 734-384-4209. To bring a vehicle to show, visit monroeccc.edu/form/electric-vehicle-show.
The River Raisin National Battlefield Park will hold an Earth Day cleanup event from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2-4 p.m. April 27.
Volunteers will help with maintaining gardens and cleaning up the park and trails. Volunteers should meet at the visitor center, 333 N. Dixie Highway.
"Earth Day is during our annual National Park Week celebration," the park service said in a written statement. "The National Park Service is sharing the benefits and work we do with connected conservation and encouraging everyone to get involved in citizen science and volunteering in parks. Join us on social media as we explore the earth sciences and stewardship. Share your Earth Day experiences and favorite memories with parks using #EarthDay and #NationalParkWeek."
For information and volunteer check-in, visit facebook.com/RiverRaisinNPS. For more information, call 734-243-7136.
The documentary “The River Raisin: A Comeback Story” will be shown at 7:15 p.m. May 4 at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 S. Monroe St. An outreach event will precede the screening from 6-7 p.m. at the Monroe County Museum, 126 S. Monroe St.
Admission is free. The event is offered by the City of Monroe's Commission on the Environment and Water Quality.
“’Comeback Story’ is a captivating exploration into the evolution of the River Raisin, from its turbulent past to its promising future,” the RRCA said. “This full-length documentary encapsulates the triumphs and challenges encountered along the river's journey. It promises to be an enlightening and thought-provoking experience.”
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A spring seedling sale fundraiser will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 in the gazebo at the St. Mary Organic Farm on the Elm Avenue campus of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse.
The sale is offered by the River Raisin Institute. All seedlings are USDA organic certified. The cost is $5.50 for each seedling. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
To preorder, visit tinyurl.com/3r2dhm4v. To learn more, email riverraisininstitute@gmail.com or call 734-240-9754.
To report other area Earth Day activities to The Monroe News, email events@monroenews.com.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Celebrating Earth Day: Several local events scheduled
