The Town's Earth Day Celebrations Expand!

Thursday April 22, 2010, Earth Day, is fast approaching.

Having been started in 1970, April 2010 will mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day celebrations. Today, Earth Day serves as a high-profile global opportunity to elevate environmental matters such as climate change, waste management, natural heritage preservation and environmental awareness to the forefront.

This year, the theme for the Town’s Earth Day celebrations will be “Celebrating Our Biodiversity”. Biodiversity, or the variety of plant, animal and micro-organism life, has been selected as the theme because 2010 marks the International Year of Biodiversity, as proclaimed by the United Nations.

In order to implement Recommendation #54 of the Green Plan which calls for the Town to build on the success of its existing Earth Day celebrations, this year’s Earth Day celebrations will be expanded from the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre to the Georgetown Market Place and the Devereaux House.

Speaking about this year’s Earth Day celebrations, Mayor Bonnette said:
“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, we are taking another step towards Green Plan implementation. From the annual events held at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre to the new events planned for the Georgetown Market Place and the Devereaux House, we are expanding the Town’s Earth Day celebrations. I invite all residents to take part and enjoy all that we have planned.”

Robert C. Austin Operations Centre, 11620 Trafalgar Road

As in previous years, Earth Day will be celebrated at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre on Saturday April 24, 2010. This will mark the 10th anniversary of the Town offering trees for sale to residents at a nominal cost. To date, the Town has sold approximately 9,000 trees! These trees create important environmental benefits by providing wildlife habitat, absorbing carbon dioxide emissions, improving water and air quality, and beautifying the local environment. Donations to local food banks will be gratefully accepted.

In addition to the annual tree sale, visitors to the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre will be able to drop-off their household hazardous and electronic waste, pick up free compost and mulch, and even enjoy a BBQ. New this year, various pieces of Public Works Equipment and Vehicles will be on display. The Town will also host interactive and fun activities for children with chances to win prizes.

Clean-Up Days

The 10th annual Community Wide Clean-Up Day is on Saturday April 17, 2010. Hundreds of volunteers will scour our parks, ravines and roadsides to collect litter. The 6th annual Halton Hills 20 Minute Makeover, now called the “22 Minute Makeover” to recognize the actual date of Earth Day, is scheduled for Thursday April 22, 2010. Everyone is encouraged to participate by picking up litter in their immediate neighbourhoods.

For more information on Earth Week Celebration events at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre, register for clean-up activities, or obtain FREE litter bags and gloves, please call Public Works at 905-873-2601 ext. 2609.

NEW! Georgetown Market Place, 280 Guelph Street

Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday April 24, 2010 celebrate Earth Day at the Georgetown Market Place!

In light of the biodiversity theme, in partnership with the Office of Sustainability, the Mall will host a fun-filled and informative family-friendly Earth Day event. The event will feature a live bird exhibit and an animal balloon sculpting clown who will entertain children. The event will also feature an Environmental Expo where residents can meet local groups that are committed to the environment.

The event will also include three practical workshops. The first workshop will feature the Halton Solar Residential Project where residents will have an opportunity to hear from a local resident who went solar by installing solar panels! The second workshop will be hosted by Whole Circle Farm (Acton). During this workshop, Whole Circle Farm will share their thoughts on ecological farming. The third workshop will be designed for youth in order to inspire future ‘green thinkers’.

Throughout the day, Earth Week will be celebrated with the musical talents featuring a local artist and/or students of the Royal Academy of Arts & Education.

NEW! Devereaux House – Green Building Tour

Located on Trafalgar Road, just north of Maple Avenue (Georgetown), the Devereaux House is a 19th century home that was restored while preserving its heritage character and incorporating a variety of green technologies. Therefore, this house conserves more than just history!

On Saturday April 24, 2010, the Friends of the Devereaux House will offer free tours of the house showcasing its many green building features as well as the heritage restoration of the house itself.

The Devereaux House will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the guided green building tours starting on the hour at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Tours will provide an opportunity to not only see the heritage value of the building but also to see, touch and learn about practical green features that can be included in a home in order to increase its efficiency and avoid costs. These features include on-demand water heating, energy efficient lighting, geo-thermal heating, low-flow toilets, biofilter septic system and zoned indoor heating. Information will also be available on the many incentives available to homeowners and businesses towards their own efficiency improvements.

For up-to-date information on the Town’s Earth Week celebrations, please visit
www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability and www.haltonhills.ca/earthday.

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