Friday, March 29, 2024

Take Your Eco-Friendly Efforts to the Next Level at Green Fest Southlake March 29

GreenFest

Unlike Kermit the Frog, the organizers of Green Fest Southlake want Southlake residents to know it is easy to be green! Learn how-to be environmentally friendly in your home or business everyday and invest in a sustainable future at the 6th Annual Green Fest Southlake on March 29, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Rustin Park in Southlake Town Square. The family-friendly event is free to the public.

Hosted for the first time by Bob Jones Nature Center (BJNC) in Southlake, the purpose of the event is to provide a fun, educational forum for residents and business owners to learn about the many ways to be better stewards of the earth’s resources.

According to Audra Lewandowski, event founder and board member for BJNC, she previously hosted the event through GreenFellows, Inc., a Southlake-based non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about going green.

“GreenFellows was much smaller than BJNC and we realized that if we wanted to take the event to the next level, we needed the support of a larger organization. BJNC has a similar mission and is a natural fit for Green Fest,” explains Lewandowski, noting all funds raised at Green Fest will go to fund environmental restoration projects at BJNC.

Rustin Park will be transformed into an environmental showcase of eco-friendly exhibitors and products focusing on how-to go the extra mile to be green. Attendees can expect to see the latest energy-efficient solutions for the home and business, as well as product demonstrations. Additional activities include:

  • Live entertainment
  • Bounce house
  • Prizes drawings (tickets $5 each) – individual buckets for each item
  • Juice pouch recycling contest for kids up to 12 years old – an Apple iPad will be given to the winner
  • More than  30 exhibitors including:
    • Rapid Refill of Grapevine – bring empty toner and ink cartridges to recycle
    • Central Market
    • Whole Earth Provision Company
    • SmartWool – giving away 300 pairs of wool socks
    • It’s Organic to You
    • Elevation Health
    • Daylight Rangers
    • NaturePedic Organic Mattresses
    • Batteries Plus – bring old batteries to recycle

“We want Green Fest to be a fun family event, but more importantly, to raise awareness about what else can done to live a sustainable life. Most people in Southlake recycle and have switched to LED light bulbs, but there is more they can do to be green without spending a lot of money. As consumers, we need to recognize that it is hard to find a product that doesn’t have a green alternative  ̶  from cars and carpet to cleaning solutions,”  adds Lewandowski.

Green Fest Southlake is free admission to the public. For additional information, go to www.TexasGreenFest.com.

Fix a Leak Week and GreenFest

33786233The City of Southlake will be participating in two events in March aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainability.

Fix a Leak Week

The first event is “Fix a Leak Week,” which will be observed March 17-23, 2014.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Water Sense are promoting this week-long event to raise awareness about water waste and what you can do to save water and save money!

Water leaks account for 1 trillion gallons of water waste each year. By checking places where leaks typically occur and simply being more aware of your water use, families can save thousands of gallons of water yearly. This in turn can save a family more than 10% on their water bills.

The premise is simple: Take 10 minutes. Check the faucets, toilets, dishwasher and other sources for potential leaks. Take the necessary steps to fix the leaks and help save 10,000 gallons of water in your home annually.

Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

  • Check your meter:  Don’t flush the toilet, run the faucet, or use any water for two hours. Check the meter again. If the meter does not read the same, you probably have a leak.
  • Check your faucets: A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second wastes more than 3,000 gallons in a year. Replace worn washers and gaskets.
  • In the bathroom: Check shower heads for age-related leaks. Look for decayed or broken “flappers” in toilets. Not sure what that is? It’s the rubber piece that opens up to let the water flow from the tank into the bowl when you pull down the toilet handle.

For additional tips, visit CityofSouthlake.com/FixALeakWeek. You may also stop by Town Hall that week and enjoy informational displays and handouts courtesy of Public Works.

Green Fest

The second event is Green Fest, which will be held on March 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Southlake Town Square.

Greenfest is Southlake’s point of connection to learn about the many ways to be better stewards of the earth’s resources. The event will feature exhibits, vendor booths, and entertainment aimed at promoting various ways residents can invest in a sustainable future.

Visit the Green Fest website to learn more and how you can get involved.

For any questions on either event, contact the Southlake Public Works Department at 817-748-8637.