April 4, 2008 – The St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) and Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) invite students in third through sixth grades to the 15th annual Earth Day EcoFair. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 22 and 23, at St. George Village Botanical Garden.
For the first time fifth and sixth grade students are also invited to participate in the Litter Stomp, a one-mile march from VIWMA headquarters to the Botanical Garden to protest roadside litter and raise awareness of the negative impacts of litter in the community. It will begin at 8 a.m., on Earth Day, April 22. Classes are urged to create banners with anti-litter slogans, and awards will be given to recognize the best messages.
Earth Day was founded by Sen. Gaylord Nelson and first celebrated nationally in 1970, thirty-eight years ago. Sen. Nelson believed that education is the key to changing people's attitudes about the environment. That belief is the basis for the local celebration, which has been held at the Botanical Garden since 1993.
Presenters from government, non-government and private industry have created interactive demonstrations and games to familiarize students with local environmental issues such as non-point source pollution, solid waste management, coral reef conservation, forest ecology and many other topics.
Each student who participates in the EcoFair will receive a free reusable water bottle or cup to reinforce the need to reduce the amount of solid waste produced in our community. Teachers will receive posters and other materials to use in their classrooms to strengthen the lessons learned at the EcoFair.
Teachers are urged to register no later than April 7 to secure a space for their students. To obtain registration forms or additional information, contact Vanessa Forbes at 773-1989.
