2011 Media Releases

Date:

April 5, 2011 (Published April 6, 2011)

For More Information Contact:

Emily McKeone, Lincoln Earth Day Coalition, Cleaner Greener Lincoln, emily@lincolnearthday.org

Kari Rohren, Lincoln Earth Day Coalition, kari@Lincolnearthday.org

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Community Invited To Get Involved In Earth Day Events

The Lincoln Earth Day Coalition is offering a variety of ways for the public to participate in the City's Earth Day Celebration Saturday April 23. The day includes morning fun runs at Wilderness Park, an afternoon celebration in Antelope Park and Earth Night at the Bourbon Theatre. Businesses, governmental agencies, nonprofit groups and individuals are urged to get involved in making the day a success.

The deadline for these opportunities is Saturday, April 9:

• Sponsorships are available at five levels — $50 (Recycler), $100 (Reducer), $250 (Renewer), $500 (Sustainer) and $1,000 (Earth Champion). Recognition levels rise with the donation amount and include promotion on the event map, inclusion on announcements throughout the events and free exhibitor booths.
• Exhibition booths are available for the celebration from noon to 6 p.m. Booths should have an educational or promotional objective that ties into Earth Day or the environment. Booths cost $50 for businesses and governmental agencies and $25 for nonprofits. Booths are free for sponsors donating $250 or more and for student organizations.
• Food vendors may sell fruits, vegetables and baked goods that do not include ingredients that can spoil (e.g. cheeses, meats, spreads). The fee is $25 plus a 12-percent tax.
• Any person, business or organization with an entertainment or activity idea is encouraged to apply for a Green Space Activity at no cost. Last year's activities included demonstrations of rain barrels and solar power. The Earth Day Coalition will determine which applications qualify for Green Space.
• Gather friends and family to compete in the Earth Day Run at 7:30 a.m. at Wilderness Park. Children age 12 and under may run the one-mile loop, and adults may run a two-mile or four-mile race. Prizes will be awarded to the male and female first- place winners in each race.

Other opportunities to participate include the following:

• Individuals age 16 and up as well as groups can sign up for two-hour volunteer shifts to help make Earth Day a success. Registration will be open until all shifts are filled. Volunteers will receive food and drinks and should bring a white t-shirt, which will be printed with the Earth Day logo.
• To participate in Green Wheels, recruit a team of up to four in your office to cycle, walk, bus or car pool to and from work from April 11 through 18. Those who sign up online and log their miles are eligible for prizes.
• Participnts in Earth Day Ignite will have five minutes to give a presentation on the environments using 20 or fewer slides. Those interested should apply online to appear on stage during this fast-paced event at Antelope Park.

Lincoln Earth Day is being organized by Mayor Beutler's Cleaner Greener Lincoln initiative, the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters and a team of volunteers.

More information is available at lincolnearthday.org. Information on the international Earth Day Network is available at earthday.net.