By Erin Dodds, Chairman of the Green Committee
The Town of Greenwich is gearing up for Earth Day in a big way! Please take a look at the calendar below and find some ways you and your PIFS student can participate. The Nature Sprouts class on Wednesdays at The Greenwich Audubon seems like a fun way to spend an afternoon. I also love the many options on Earth Day…or should we call it Earth Weekend this year? April 22 and 23 will feature paper shredding, greenhouse and community garden visits, a bee workshop, a light bulb swap, a museum concert and more! The first item on our list is a big one, though. We are so close to achieving a full reservoir of water again, but it will take the commitment of residents and a few more inches of rain to reach 100% capacity. Please consider taking the water challenge below!
April 1-30 » Take the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.
Join First Selectman Peter Tesei and the Town’s Conservation Commission in taking the pledge to support water conservation and show that Greenwich residents care about our local water supply. My Water Pledge is a friendly competition between cities across the US to see who can be the most “water-wise.” Chief elected officials nationwide will challenge their residents to conserve water, energy and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use pledges online. Towns and cities with the highest percentage of residents who take the challenge in their population category win. Go to www.mywaterpledge.com and show that Greenwich really cares about water!
Friday, April 14
2:30-2:45 p.m. » Marine Tank Animal Feeding at Bruce Museum
Free with Museum admission. No reservations.
brucemuseum.org
Saturday, April 15
9:30-Noon » Birding Class: Birding by Ear at Audubon Greenwich
Join Ted Gilman as he shares some of the tricks and techniques used for identifying birds by their calls and songs. After a short indoor introduction to bird vocalizations and a discussion of why and how they vocalize, head outside for a walk to practice your newly acquired birding-by-ear skills. Adults & Interested Youth Ages 8 & Up
613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT
$12 members, $15 non-members, youth are free
RSVP required to Ted at 203-930-1353 or tgilman@audubon.org
Tuesday, April 18
2:30-2:45 p.m. » Marine Tank Animal Feeding at Bruce Museum
Free with Museum admission. No reservations. brucemuseum.org, info@brucemuseum.org
6:30-8:00 p.m. » Science Lecture at Bruce Museum: Getting Blood from a Stone: Animation, X-rays, and Dinosaur Tracks
Dr. Stephen Gatesby, Professor of Biology and Medical Science, Brown University
$15 non-members
Open galleries and refreshments at 6:30 pm, Lecture at 7:00 p.m. brucemuseum.org
Reservations: 203-413-6757 or science@brucemuseum.org
Wednesday, April 19
3:30-4:30 p.m. » Nature Sprouts: Mommy & Me at Audubon Greenwich
Audubon Greenwich welcomes little ones and their grown-ups to discover, explore and investigate nature through a different theme each week. Activities include animal experiences, dramatic play, stories, and more! Following the program, adults gather for an Audubon Naturalist led discussion of conservation actions they can take as a family.
Ages 18-36 Months
613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT
$250 for 9-class Spring Session or $30/Class for Drop-in
For more information & pre-registration, contact Eli at 203-930-1349 or eschaffer@audubon.org.
Friday, April 21
2:30-2:45 p.m. » Marine Tank Animal Feeding at Bruce Museum
Free with Museum admission.
No reservations.
brucemuseum.org, info@brucemuseum.org
3:45 p.m. » Earth Day Eve Celebration at Cos Cob Library
Fun activities, crafts, food and drink, and live entertainment.
For more information call: 203-622-6883 or visit: http://www.greenwichlibrary.org/cos-cob/.
Saturday, April 22
9:00 a.m.-Noon » Breakfast at Abilis on Earth Day
Come celebrate Earth Day with your neighbors and get to know the amazing work of Abilis’ clients at their Greenhouse and Gift Shop. Light breakfast will be served. For information, visit Abilis Greenhouse & Gift Shop — 50 Glenville St, Greenwich, CT 06831
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. » Paper Shredding Event at Island Beach ferry parking lot
Hosted by Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board and Greenwich Green & Clean for Greenwich residents only.
$2 per box, 6 box maximum. Box size guideline: 12” x 18” x 12”. No bags. Shred ONLY sensitive documents such as financial statements, tax documents, medical and social security records at a one-day paper shredding event. DO NOT include file folders, envelopes, magazines, cardboard, newspapers, metal and plastic clips, plastic bindings and covers. (Staples are ok.) Paper shredded on-site and properly recycled to save trees For information, email GreenwichRecycles@gmail.com or call 203-629-2876.
10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. » Celebrate Earth Day with a day of action at Greenwich Land Trust!
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to come and learn about the environmental health of our community, and what they can do to make a positive impact. We will be planting trees and flowers, seed starting, hosting demonstrations and experiencing a wildlife release. Lunch will be provided by Whole Foods Market. Please RSVP to sophie@gltrust.org. For more information, visit the website.
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. » Greenwich’s Earth Day and Light Bulb Swap
Presented by Eversource and Conservation Commission at The Greenwich Teen Center
This program will feature light bulb exchange, sign-up for home energy evaluation (experts discussing how to save money on energy) and information on sustainable land maintenance through recycling and reusing of organic wastes (composting, leaf mulching mowing and organic soil enhancement) and more. To help reduce the amount of energy use, each participant is able to exchange up to five incandescent light bulbs, in any working order, for an equal number of long-lasting, energy saving LED light bulbs, at no cost. For more information call: (203) 622 6461, email: amoch@greenwichct.org, or visit the website here.
10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. » Opening Day at Armstrong Court Community Garden
Greenwich Community Gardens is calling all interested volunteers to come celebrate spring with and help get the garden area ready for the growing season. We will also need help installing 13 rain barrels, moving a few a garden beds and filling garden beds with soil. Bring your work gloves and a bag lunch. Tools, snacks, desserts and water provided. Families and community teams welcome! A great way to participate in Earth Day. Armstrong Court Housing Complex off of Hamilton Avenue in western Greenwich. Park in the lot in front of the buildings, walk through the complex to the garden in the back of the property. Signs will be posted.
Rain date: Sunday, April 23 from1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information, visit: www.greenwichcommunitygardens.org or contact the ACCG Garden Director, Ann Shifman-Deibler at als9343@aol.com to RSVP.
1:00-3:00 p.m. » Sweet Bee Friendly Workshop at Garden Education Center
Beekeeping hints on growing a happy healthy hive and honey tasting.
130 Bible Street, Cos Cob
Cost: $10 Adults $5 children 6-12
Registration required by April 15.
For more information visit: www.gecgreenwich.org; email gec@gecgreenwich.org or call 203-869-9242.
2 p.m. » Climate Change Lecture at Byram Shubert Library
Join us for a lecture on Climate Change and Solutions For more information call: 203-531-0426 or visit: http://www.greenwichlibrary.org/byram-shubert/
Sunday, April 23
1:00-4:00 p.m. » Earth Day Family Day at Bruce Museum
Fun family activities, a special musical performance of Sounds of the Earth featuring traditional music from world cultures as it relates to the earth, nature and the environment by Journeys with Sound at 2:00 pm, a Bruce Museum grounds nature walk at 3:00 pm and guests from the Astronomical Society of Greenwich and the Bruce Museum Seaside Center. This event is held in collaboration with the Greenwich Conservation Commission. Free with Museum admission
brucemuseum.org, info@brucemuseum.org
1:00 p.m. » The Greenwich Youth Film Festival at Greenwich Library, Cole Auditorium
T Fairchild Challenge teen component is co-sponsored by the GEC, Greenwich Library, The Avon Theatre Film Center and the Greenwich Arts Council. For more information visit: www.gecgreenwich.org; email youth.director@gecgreenwich.org or call 203-869-9242.
