Cleveland State Community College will be hosting the 7th annual environmental awareness celebration on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. called “It’s All About the Green.” This celebration will be held adjacent to the Innovation Center, beside the Cleveland State Softball Field. There will be food, presentations, entertainment, and various vendors from the Cleveland community discussing the importance and benefits of “going green.”
Exhibitors this year include City of Cleveland Shade Tree Board who will be providing tree care information and giving away tree seedlings; Cleveland Utilities will be providing information on water and electricity conservation; US Forest Service will be discussing how to go about touring national forests; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be discussing conservation; Merck will be discussing sun protection; Volunteer Energy Cooperative will be discussing energy efficiency and Bradley County Stormwater will be discussing storm water and its changes. Many other businesses and organizations will be present, as well.
“This annual event allows participants the opportunity to learn how to do simple everyday things that will help preserve the earth for years to come,” stated Tracey Wright, director of Special Programs and Community Relations. “Our diverse group of vendors are sure to have information that will benefit our community members in living greener, more sustainable lives.”
In addition to the many exhibitors, the Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council will be conducting rain barrel workshops at 10:30 a.m. and noon. The workshops will show homeowners how rain barrels can catch water from gutters and provide them with an alternative water supply for gardening or landscaping, while helping solve storm-water issues in the area.
Ms. Wright stated, “This community outreach program is free to participants thanks to generous donations from Coca-Cola and Cleveland State; however, there are a limited number of barrels. Participants will need to be prepared to take the barrels home with them on the day of the workshop.”
Children’s entertainment during the event will include making piggy banks out of two liter bottles, making sun catcher fish out of old CD’s, making snake toys out of soda pop lids and a natural bird feeder from pine cones.
It’s All About the Green is open to the community, and admission to the event is free. In addition to rain barrel workshops, there will be activities for all ages, information booths, recycled crafts for sale, food for sale, a plant exchange, free tree seedlings, door prizes and more. The majority of the businesses located in the Innovation Center, which is adjacent to the area where the event will be held, will be open during the Green Day for tours.
For more information on the Green Day or to participate in a rain barrel workshop, contact Tracey Wright at 423-473-2341 or email events@clevelandstatecc.edu.