Celebrate Earth Day: Apr 19, 2008

Start: 04/19/2008 - 10:00am

End: 04/19/2008 - 2:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-8

Earth Day, Every Day!

Be part of the biggest Earth Day yet this April 19th

When: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway
Gresham, Oregon

Join your neighbors and the City of Gresham as we celebrate Earth Day 2008! Enjoy music and entertainment, vendor booths, recycling events, workshops, and more.

Go green and celebrate the planet with these fun Earth Day games and activities! Find out what you can do to decrease climate change, plus ways to recycle at home or work.

Click here for more Earth Day information.

Earth Day Celebration Recycling Collection Events

ELECTRONICS * CELL PHONES * FLUORESCENT BULBS

When: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Where: Gresham City Hall
west parking lot
1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway
Gresham, Oregon

No charge for residents to recycle these items. The free electronics recycling event is open to Gresham and Wood Village residents (bring ID); electronics from businesses not be accepted.

Acceptable Items

Computer monitors
Desktop computer towers/CPUs
Laptop computers
Desktop printers, copiers and scanners
Keyboards, mice and cables
Fax machines
Televisions (no consoles)
VCRs
DVD players

Unacceptable (non-electronic) items

Manuals and boxes
Foam packing and peanuts
Styrofoam
Disks and software
Kitchen appliances and other electric or electronic products

NEW in 2008! Cell phone recycling!

All types of cell phones, working or not working, no limit for residents or businesses to recycle. A fundraiser for the Oregon Green Schools. Take cell phones to electronics drop-off site.

Fluorescent Tube/Bulb Recycling Collection Event

City staff will collect fluorescent tubes from residents and businesses at no charge at the Gresham Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 pm. on Saturday, April 21.

Why is it important to recycle fluorescent tubes? Because fluorescents contain mercury, a heavy metal that is hazardous to humans, pets and our food chain and should not be thrown in the garbage. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that persists in the environment and harms human health.

***All fluorescent tubes should be boxed and transported carefully to the collection site. Boxes may be picked up in advance at City Hall. Call 503-618-2526 to reserve boxes.

Gresham Earth Day Celebration Activities

When: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Where: City Hall Plaza and Conference Center
1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway
Gresham, Oregon
-- OR --
Gresham City Hall MAX stop

Live musical event
Rockin' Water Road Show with Recycleman! Performance from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In his superhero costume made out of recycled trash complete with a truck inner tube kilt, recycleman is able to capture kids' and adults' attention and get them excited about recycling and other eco-friendly messages.
Will Hornyak Storytelling
Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Springwater Trail High School
World Drumming & Marimba Band
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.>
Tree Seedling Giveaway!
City of Gresham Tree Preservation Committee
The City's Tree Preservation Committee, in recognition of Arbor Day, presents a free tree seedling giveaway sponsored by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., a Gresham Significant Tree display, volunteer opportunities and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute offers an exhibit and paper-making craft activity for children. Don't forget to take the second annual Gresham Significant Tree Walk hosted by the East County Windwalkers, departing and returning from Gresham City Hall (see details below).
Children's Earth Day Crafts and Fun
- Airbrush Face Painting
- Parks & Recreation Arts & Crafts
- Live Raptor/Audubon Society of Portland
- Recycling Art Fun
- Reptiles/Northwest Herptile Keepers
- Recycleman Music Show, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Storytelling, Noon to 12:45 p.m.
- 100% recyclable lunch and sno-cones
Experience a 100% Compostable Lunch!
Join the Gresham Lions Supper Club for a 100% Compostable Lunch! What does that mean? Well, notice how all the paper plates, silverware and food scraps go into special green "brutes." These "brutes" are special containers to turn the food scraps and paper items into "compost." You may eat with a potato starch fork - and notice how there are no ketchup packets? Those create a lot of waste, so the Lions have pumps for the hot dog condiments.
Free Car Wash!
Get your car washed at our Fish-Friendly Car Wash event
We'll wash your car for you FREE at Earth Day and you'll learn how washing your car at home in the driveway isn't the best way to do it for the environment. We recommend washing your car on your lawn or at a car wash to keep sudsy, greasy, dirty water out of the storm drains and keep these pollutants from entering our creeks and streams. Soap, dirt, and grease is harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms.
Learn about the City's car wash kit that student groups can borrow for free so they can hold a "Fish-Friendly" car wash when doing a fund-raiser! For more information call Keri Handaly, 503-618-2657.
Compost Bin Sale $35!
Earth Machine compost bins for sale, $35 each, cash or check; usually retails for $80.
Second annual Earth Day / Significant Trees of Gresham Walk
The East County Wind Walkers Club and the City's Tree Preservation Committee have designed a 6.1-mile 'Volkswalk of Significant Trees' to take place during the Earth Day Celebration. The walk is offered between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (finish by 4:00 p.m.) and starts and ends at Gresham City Hall. A walking map is provided and the route and trees marked. Walk about while looking and learning about Gresham's magnificent trees and their history. The Volkswalk of Significant Trees is mostly a flat route on sidewalks and pavement with some gravel path at the end. Many curbs not cut for wheelchair accessibility, strollers OK. Sign-in is at the front City Hall entrance.
GREAT Business Fair = Lots of prize giveaways!
See how Gresham businesses recycle and conserve. There will be a prize giveaway event for the public and businesses are encouraged to bring hand-outs and sample products.

Vendors & Exhibitors

East County Wind Walkers
Free! Significant Trees of Gresham Walk; from City Hall
Gresham Lions Supper Club
Serving lunch, sno-cones, drinks; all waste is compostable
East Multnomah County Soil & Water Conservation District
Free! 45 minute workshops at the top of the hour (Naturescaping, Weeds, Rain Gardening) and traveling life-size rain garden with take-home information
Clifton Metal Works
Amazing animals from recycled pieces - for sale and show
Gresham Farmers' Market
Plant sale
Girl Scout Troop #1697
Recycling demonstrations and children's activity
Roger Witter
Free! Muralist creates amazing airbrush face designs
3 Sisters Nursery
Sale! Recycled Garden Art
Audubon Society of Portland
Local birding information and live birds on display
Columbia Slough Watershed Council
"Birds in the Slough" bird activity for children
Johnson Creek Watershed Council
Informational booth
City of Gresham
Water emergency preparedness booth / car kit giveaways
Gresham Town Fair Chiropractic
Free! spinal screenings and information
Gresham Tree Preservation Committee
Free! Tree sapling giveaway, local tree information, children's paper-making activity
Northwest Earth Institute
Informational Booth
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Environmental information for voters
People for Parks
Free! Seed packet giveaway and park information
Gresham Toyota Scion
Hybrid car display and information
Friends of Trees
Tree event sign-ups and information for residents
Roger Witter
Free! Magnificent airbrush face painting for children
Metro Recycled Paint
Paint disposal tips and household hazardous waste info
Rockwood Water People's Utility
Free! Outdoor water conservation kit giveaway! Water info
Eco Car Wash / GREAT Fair
Smart car wash practices; free car wash giveaways
Whole Foods / GREAT Fair
Smart grocery practices; free samples/prize giveaways
Gresham DEQ / GREAT Fair
Info booth, heating oil tanks, environment-safe lawn gard
Gresham Green Team
Composting at work
Green Mountain Energy
Sign up! Green Power Challenge/Clean Wind PGE
City of Gresham Department of Environmental Services
Your Earth Day Celebration hosts!
Parks & Recreation Division
Natural gardening info, children's craft activity
Recycling & Solid Waste
Free! Electronics, cell phone and fluorescent tube recycling
GREAT Businesses Program
Businesses share conservation tips, prize giveaways
Wastewater Services
Freeze the Grease information; DVD puppet show for kids
Water Division
Water Conservation Tips and Outdoor Water Kit giveaway
Watershed Management
Compost Bin Sale $35; Native Plant Giveaway
Watershed AmeriCorps
NeighborWoods program; Awesome Snake Program
AmeriCorps Stream Team
Volunteer opportunities for citizens
Transportation Division
Pervious pavement demonstrations
Maps & Data Services
Free! Map Wrap giveaway, map contest, GIS activity

Earth Day Celebration Workshops

When: Saturday, April 19, 2008, 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Where: City Hall - Conference Center
1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway
Gresham, Oregon

Naturescaping
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Barlow Trail Room>
Weeds & Invasive Plants
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Barlow Trail Room
Awesome Snake Appreciation
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Springwater Trail Room
Build a Raingarden
Noon to 12:45 p.m. Barlow Trail Room
How to Care for Trees
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Barlow Trail Room

About the workshops

Naturescaping
Naturescaping reduces water use, stormwater runoff and pollution while saving time, money and energy – all while providing habitat for birds and wildlife. Taught by Kathy Shearin, East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District. Workshop length: 45 minutes; for more information call 503-222-7645
Weeds and Invasive Plants

Learn more about the most notorious plant invaders – how to control them and how to minimize their spread into your yard and neighboring properties. Workshop taught by Kathy Shearin, East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District. Workshop length: 45 minutes; for more information call 503-222-7645

Awesome Snake Appreciation Program
Garter snakes are great for the garden! Learn about two common Gresham garter snakes, the Northwestern garter and the red-spotted common garter snake, and why they are beneficial to a garden environment. Learn how to include reptile and amphibian-friendly landscaping in your garden. Workshop taught by Tyler Pedersen, AmeriCorps volunteer with the City of Gresham Watershed Management Division. Workshop length: 45 minutes; for more information call 503-618-2608

Build a Rain Garden
Homeowners in many parts of the country are catching on to raingardens, a shallow depression in a yard that collects rainwater and sports a variety of flowers, shrubs and grasses. Rain gardens keep runoff from leaving your yard and pollutants stay in the garden where they can be absorbed by plants. Workshop taught by Candace Stoughton, East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District. Workshop length: 45 minutes; for more information call 503-222-7645

How to Care for Your Trees in 45 Minutes
Workshop discusses ways homeowners can prune and care for their yards or street trees safely. Additional information will be provided on what arborists can do to help the tree fit its living space in your yard. Workshop taught by Nick Kantor, AmeriCorps volunteer with the City of Gresham Watershed Management Division. Workshop length: 45 minutes; for more information call 503-618-2608

Earth Day Sponsors

Special thanks to all our Earth Day 2008 Sponsor's for their contributions!

Earth Day Sponsors

Rockwood Water PUD
Veolia Water
Boeing
Rockwood Solid Waste
Cantel Sweeping
Waxie Sanitary Supply

GREAT Prize donors

Flying Pie Pizzeria
Bryant Station
Kinco
Whole Foods
Coffee's On
Gresham Station Starbucks
Backyard Birdshop
Eco Car Wash

Volunteer at Earth Day!

When: Saturday, April 19th, 2008 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Gresham City Hall
1333 NW Eastman Parkway
Gresham, OR

We're still looking for 5 volunteers to help with our Parks and Recreation booth at Earth Day! Sign for a 1-2 hour shift before or after you plan on exploring the celebration. Check out the attached Earth Day flyer to see all the great activities, workshops, and free giveaways in store!

Volunteers needed at the Parks and Recreation booth to:

Help children make bug and critter crafts from old egg cartons
Teach adults and children about the benefits of bugs (ex. lady bugs, spiders, worms, bees, butterflies, and other insects)
Hand out information about natural gardening, Gresham Parks, and volunteering
Coffee and muffins will be provided by Starbucks!

To sign up, please email Rachel.Zarfas@ci.gresham.or.us, call (503) 618-2789, or visit www.ci.gresham.or.us/parks/volunteerprogram. And please use the attached flyer to help spread the word!