Frankfort, Ky. (March 26, 2015) – Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed April as “Earth Month in Kentucky.” Each year, Kentucky celebrates Earth Day, which is April 22, to increase awareness of the importance of conservation, stewardship and protection of our natural environment. Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear, the Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Kentucky Environmental Education Council are joining together to host the 2015 Earth Day Celebration Thursday, April 9, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Brown-Forman Room and Cralle-Day Garden at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort. A number of state and local agencies will have booths to educate state employees and the public about how to become better environmental stewards. The First Lady will kick off the event with remarks beginning at 10:30 a.m. The celebration also includes recognition of Kentucky’s first university-level Green Ribbon School and the newest K-12 Green and Healthy Schools. “Across the Commonwealth, student teams are greening school campuses and making a commitment to improved health and well-being of students and staff by promoting healthy eating choices, improved levels of physical activity and time outdoors, energy conservation and much more,” said Elizabeth Schmitz, executive director of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. “This translates to improved engagement and productivity in schools. The students and teachers to be recognized by First Lady Jane Beshear have provided a tremendous service to their schools, communities, and to the Commonwealth, and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts.” Roberta Burnes, environmental education specialist with the Division for Air Quality, said she loves working what’s become an annual event. “The Earth Day event offers the opportunity to connect state employees and local citizens with all the good things we are doing to foster a sustainable Commonwealth. I love working it – people are always in a good mood, wanting to know how they can take that next step to save energy, protect our air and water, and live more lightly on the earth. “I also love seeing the other exhibitors and learning about everything from beekeeping to gardening to Kentucky’s natural heritage. It’s a great mix of exhibitors and information with something for everyone,” she added. Here are a few exhibitor highlights: The Frankfort Sewer Department (FSD) will bring a full-scale rain barrel display and will offer demonstrations on how easy rain barrels are to set up and install. In addition, FSD will have a small table with a water treatment model that appeals to ages from 2 to 102. “Water Treatment – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” is a demonstration that covers the concepts of water treatment for both drinking water and wastewater, as well as what happens when these infrastructures do not perform well, are constructed incorrectly or become inundated due to natural weather-related phenomena and/or population growth. The Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC) booth will feature handout publications that highlight the environmental and pollution prevention technical services available to Kentucky businesses and industries. Handouts providing information for residential sustainability activities will also be available at the booth. KPPC staff will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the current sustainability initiatives and projects of the center. Visitors can sign up at the booth to receive KPPC’s monthly electronic newsletter. The Kentucky Division of Forestry will showcase the themes of forestry and soil and give away tree seedlings. The Salato Wildlife Education Center volunteers will bring mammal furs, turtle shells, snake sheds, snake skulls and live snakes. Kentucky State University will be doing a hands-on watershed demonstration on what a watershed is and how watersheds can become polluted with point source and non-point source pollution. The Capital City Beekeepers will provide an observation hive that shows bees at work on the honeycomb in an enclosed environment. Observers will not come into contact with the bees. Walk/Bike Frankfort will share information on bicycle safety. Other state and local agencies participating are: Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission The Governor’s Garden/Governor’s Office of Ag Policy Division of Water Division of Compliance Assistance Department of Parks Division of Waste Management State Office Building’s Green Team Frankfort Public Works Department Kentucky School Boards Association’s School Energy Managers Program Division for Air Quality Kentucky-National Energy Education Development Project Kentucky Environmental Education Council Woods and Waters Land Trust Franklin County Solid Waste Department Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Bluegrass Greensource State employees can make a “green” choice by using Frankfort Transit’s trolley service to and from the event. The trolley or trolley bus will make stops at the Capitol and Capitol Annex, Fair Oaks, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Capital City Complex on Versailles Road. Building Pick-up Times and Locations T
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