Upcoming Green Events in Central Illinois
With Earth Day fast approaching on April 22nd, there are several community events planned for central Illinois with environmental, energy, and green themes. Here is a snapshot of what is happening in the area:
| April 17th and 18th | Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo |
| “Join over 70 exhibitors and 11 presenters at the Illinois Wesleyan University Shirk Center to learn about the many aspects of sustainability and wellness. Other activities include an affordable fashion challenge and show, children’s carnival, massages, dance demonstrations, a movie-screening, and organic food presentations. The event is free and open to the public.”
Hosted by Illinois Wesleyan Wellness and the Ecology Action Center Location: Illinois Wesleyan Shirk Center Web Site: www.islwe.org |
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| April 18th | Go Green In Peoria – Namaste Wellness Studio |
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Peoria-area organizations and small businesses are offering you an afternoon to learn more about going green and being well. We will be exploring resources and sharing information about how we can all reduce our footprint on Mother Earth while improving our own health, too. As we continue to investigate ‘wellness’ and organic lifestyle options, we hope to provide you with inspiration and feasible choices to go green and be well…… Please join us as we celebrate Earth Day at Namaste!!
Earth Stones Kramer Chiropractic Leaves n Beans Roasting Co. massage by kelly Meadow Haven Organic Farms Melaleuca Serenity Wellness Program Usborne Books And more!
Junction City, 5901 N. Prospect, Suite 6B, Peoria, Il 309.740.2076 |
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| April 22nd | Earth Day at the Children’s Discovery Museum |
| “Celebrate our favorite planet with free activities including composting worms, water conservation projects and more. These activities are free with paid admission.“
Location: Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal Web Site: www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net |
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| April 22nd | Earth: Disney Nature Film Opens |
| A documentary film from the BBC and the Discovery Channel presented through the DisneyNature film division. A year in the life of the creatures that share our planet. The film is playing at local theatres including Willow Knolls 14 and Rave Motion Pictures in Peoria.
Web Site: http://disney.go.com/disneynature/ |
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| April 25th | Earth Day Festival at Forest Park Nature Center |
| The 5th Annual Earth Day Festival is being held from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. “Locate local resources, identify environmentally-friendly products, and learn what you can do to make a difference. It’s sure to be a good time, with music from the LR Band, Peter Adriel and Slim Pickens; storytelling from the Peoria Prairie Tellers, Edith Barnard and Wes Sedress; and tasty food from One World Cafe. This family-friendly, fun event also offers hands-on demos, kids’ crafts, face painting, numerous displays and chances to win “green” door prizes. Check out our Trailhead Nature Store for Earth Day Discounts on eco-friendly clothing, household and personal care products and more.”
Location: Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Web Site: http://www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center |
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| April 25th |
Earth Day at the Children’s Discovery Museum |
| “Celebrate our favorite planet with free activities including composting worms, water conservation projects and more. These activities are free with paid admission.”
Location: Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal Web Site: www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net |
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| April 26th and 27th | Clean Water Celebration |
| “The Sun Foundation, the Rivers Project, and Illinois American Water Company invite students, teachers, community leaders, and the general public to attend the Clean Water Celebration, April 26 and 27, 2009. This two day, five event program takes place in four different locations throughout the Peoria area. Clean Water Celebration encourages us to learn to improve water quality, to think critically and creatively about adequate and safe water supplies, and to promote the wise use of natural resources.”
Location: Peoria Civic Center (and other locations) Web Site: Sun Foundation |
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| May 2nd and 3rd | Central Illinois Renewable Energy Expo |
| “The Peoria County 4-H and Extension Foundation is proud to present the Central Illinois Renewable Energy Expo, May 2nd and 3rd at the Green Sports Complex in Mossville, Illinois near Peoria. This event is designed to be educational and informative with plenty of vendor displays, seminars, kids’ activities and information on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable solutions, green lifestyles, and earth-friendly technology.”
Location: Green Sports Complex in Mossville Web Site: http://www.ciree.net/ |
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| May 5th | Alternate Transportation Day |
| “Peoria County is encouraging all county residents and workers to participate in “Alternate Transportation Day” by using a different form of transportation to get to work, school, events, etc. Participants may elect to carpool, walk, ride a bike, take the bus, or find another alternate method of transportation that conserves energy by reducing fuel consumption. Peoria County will take the lead by strongly urging all county employees who are able to find another means of transportation during Alternate Transportation Day.” | |
| May 7th | Waste Free Lunch Day |
| “Many of us use disposal products when we eat lunch during the work week: fast food wrappers, boxes, and bags; plastic utensils; Styrofoam, paper, or plastic cups; plastic lids; napkins; etc. These products clutter our landfills and may take several hundred years to degrade. You can help reduce the harmful affect Styrofoam and plastic products have on our environment by choosing to go “waste free” for lunch. Bring leftovers in a reusable container, use silverware, drink from a reusable cup, and use a cloth napkin for lunch on May 7. Perhaps you’ll enjoy substituting with “the real thing” so much, you’ll make a habit of it and green the environment too!” | |
| May 7th | Are You a Green Consumer? |
| “Do you recycle? Do you buy recycled products? Peoria County’s Recycling and Resource Conservation staff will explain how to complete the triangle of reducing, recycling, and reusing by showcasing recycled products. Too often, the environmental benefits of recycling are lessened by consumers’ failure to purchase recycled products. While it is helpful to recycle aluminum and plastic, we are not reaching our potential as conscientious consumers if we do not purchase products made from recycled aluminum and plastic. In other words, we are not green consumers. Wear green to this Earth-friendly class and receive a free recycled product.”
Web Site: http://www.peoriacounty.org/communications/NCGW/ Location: Peoria, ICC North Campus |
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| May 11th – May 15 | Bike to Work Week |
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May 11 – 15 is bike to work week, with Friday, May 15 the chosen day for rallies across the country. Here in Peoria bicyclers are faced with challenging rides into downtown from the outlying suburbs. Designated bike paths exist in portions of the city but do not connect to each other. THE NEED FOR CONNECTIVITY IS A PRIORITY FOR BIKE TO WORK ACITIVSTS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS.
Two routes will someday offer safe Peoria commuting options; The Kellar Trail from Dunlap to North Peoria and through the west central portion of the City into downtown, and the Hanna City Trail from the southwest area through South Peoria into downtown.
In the meantime bike commuters must be creative. There are many side streets that are safe to use, and suggested bike routes are signed in some parts of the city. If you choose to bike, you will benefit in these ways from your efforts.
First, you will help yourself be healthy and fit. Biking is excellent cardiovascular workout, supporting circulation and muscle tone. It can be a daily routine, which is essential for a good exercise routine. Second, you will save money. No gas, no insurance, no tickets, no headaches. Third, You will have fun. Discover the joy of gliding down a hill, or cruising through a park. Just give it a try and well, enough said. Finally, you will help keep our planet healthy. Bicycles do not use fossil fuels, cause ozone depletion or emit deadly pollutants. At an average 9 mph, a slow bike pace, cyclists can combine personal pleasure, health fitness, financial savings and save the earth. Its a combination that should appeal to everyone. So no more excuses. Get on and ride!
Workplaces may or may not have bike racks, |
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Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois 
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