View Full Version : Oklahoma City Events for Earth Month April 2012



JohnH_in_OKC
04-03-2012, 01:56 PM
From an email from Oklahoma City:


04/03/12
Contact: Kristy Yager, 297-2550
Oklahoma City celebrates the Earth with eco-friendly events in April

Hiking, biking, riding, recycling, planting, shredding and picking up litter are a just few of the ways Oklahomans can celebrate the Earth in April. Earth Day is April 22, but Oklahoma City is planning free, fun family activities all month long.

April 5 - Solar Energy for Homes and Businesses workshop
Property owners can to learn how to harness solar power at their home or business by attending a free “Viable Solar Technologies” presentation from 7–8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 at OSU-OKC’s Student Center, 900 N Portland. Registration is not required.

April 5-7 - Myriad Gardens plant sale
Get your garden growing with a bountiful selection of plants, flowers and other trimmings during the Myriad Botanical Gardens plant sale, April 5-7. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, Oklahoma natives and more will be on sale in the Crystal Bridge Visitors Center from 9 to 5 p.m. Proceeds will help
the Gardens continue to bloom. Call 297-3996 for details.

April 12 - Downtown hike
Take a walk on the wild side – in the heart of downtown. Join naturalists on April 12 as they lead hikers on a 45-minute walk and talk about how Mother Nature always finds a home, even amid skyscrapers. The tour takes off at noon from the east steps of City Hall, 200 North Walker. Call 297-2578 or email kristy.yager@okc.gov to register.

April 13 - Downtown bike riding class
Learn to bike downtown streets safely by registering for our free bike riding class at noon on April 13 at the northwest corner of the Myriad Botanical Gardens (Sheridan and Hudson). Bring your bike and helmet and stay for an optional bike ride. Call 297-2578 or email kristy.yager@okc.gov to register.

April 20 - Spring floral walking tour of Will Rogers Gardens
Celebrate the return of spring by taking a free floral tour of Will Rogers Gardens, 3400 NW 36, at 9:30 a.m. on April 20. We’ll take a stroll through the Gardens’ grounds and talk about how you can add these colorful plants to your landscape. The walk will showcase irises, azaleas and peonies, among others. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Call 943-0827 to register.

April 20 - Free bus rides
Ride METRO Transit free on April 20. Visit the Downtown Transit Center to receive a free reusable shopping tote. Visit www.gometro.org or call 235-RIDE (7433) for route information.

April 21- EarthFest at Martin Park Nature Center
Our planet takes center stage at Martin Park’s EarthFest. Family-oriented games, crafts and other nature-based activities will enlighten and entertain. The Audubon Society, Sierra Club and other earth-friendly organizations will also take part. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on April 21 at Martin Park, 5000 West Memorial Road. Call 755-0676 for details.

April 21 - Lake Overholser and Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge cleanup
Help us rid Lake Overholser and the adjoining refuge of trash and restore these areas to their natural beauty. Trash pick-up is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 21 and includes a free lunch and prizes. Meet at the Overholser pavilion. Email Karen.miles@deq.ok.gov or call 702-8192 to register.

April 28 - Recycle your tires, ammo, computers and pharmaceuticals
A special household hazardous waste collection will be held for ammunition, tires, computers and pharmaceuticals from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 28 at the State Fairgrounds. The collection is open to Oklahoma City residents only. Bring your current Oklahoma City water bill stub to prove residency. The event will be held on the south side of the fairgrounds, east of the arena. Sorry, televisions, tires with rims and off-road tires will not be accepted.

April 28 - Free shred day
Shred and recycle your financial and personal documents during Waste Management Recycle America and the Utilities Department’s free shred day on April 28 from 7 to 11 a.m., 5519 NW 4th.

April is LitterBlitz month
Help fight litter in Oklahoma City by registering for Oklahoma City Beautiful’s 12th annual LitterBlitz campaign. Teams are needed to clean one site, one time during the month of April and help rid our City of trash. Form
a team and register online at www.okcbeautiful.com or call 525-8822 by
March 31.

Refrigerator thermometer giveaway
The first 100 residents that drop household hazardous waste off at the City’s
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 1621 S Portland, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Saturday in April will receive a free refrigerator thermometer. Don’t forget your water bill stub to prove residency.

Saturday Morning Sweep begins in April
Here’s a great way to clean up litter, illegal dumping, trees and brush from common areas, easements, greenbelts and medians: hold a Saturday Morning Sweep. Neighborhoods and homeowner’s associations can schedule this event once a year, April through September. We will deliver a commercial dumpster, and the neighborhood provides the volunteers. Later that day, we will haul off the dumpster and pay the disposal fees. Call 749-3092 for information.

“Green loans” available to homeowners
Oklahoma City homeowners wanting to save money on their electric and gas bill by making their home more energy efficient can apply for a green home loan offered through the City of Oklahoma City. The loans are offered to Oklahoma City residents whose household income is $100,000 or less. Residents have up to 48 months to pay back their loan, which can be for up to $15,000.
Some of the energy efficient upgrades that can be made with a loan include:
· Installation of energy-efficient windows or exterior doors
· Adding more insulation to the attic and walls
· Replacing inefficient window units with central heat and air
· Installation of a new heat pump
· Replacing a dark-colored roof with a cool roof that reflects the sun

Apply by calling the Community Action Agency at 232-0199.

A list of the green services offered by the City can be found at www.greeningokc.com (http://www.greeningokc.com/Forms/Welcome.aspx). The website also offers tips on how residents can save money and energy by making a few small changes in their lives.

swilki
04-04-2012, 10:55 AM
These are all great events. Thanks for posting the info.

For those elsewhere in the state looking for various eco-friendly volunteer opportunities, visit www.gacinok.com (http://www.gacinok.com) and click "Find an Event." We have a bunch of groups all across the state gearing up to do litter pick ups and other events.