News | April 10, 2003

Earth Day Festival brings environmental education - and fun for the whole family

Trash Can Dan and the Clean Up Kids made their debut at last year's Earth Day Festival, and they'll be back at this year's festival, spreading the word about waste management and recycling. The Delaware Solid Waste Authority will hold its third annual Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 12, at Brecknock Park near Camden. Along with DSWA's Trash Can Dan and the Clean Up Kids, the festival will feature hands-on exhibits, game and play areas and presentations. "We really wanted children to get some environmental education," said Danny Aguilar, DSWA manager of information and education. "And these hands-on activities are a great way to do it." One of the main attractions will be the EcoTrail, which features seven different EcoStations, each highlighting a portion of the environment such as native plants, wildlife, forestry, soils and aquatics. Children must register before entering the EcoTrail and will receive a stamp after completing each EcoStation. And after finishing the entire trail, children will be given 20 tickets to use for games, rides and crafts. Extra tickets also can be earned in other areas. Dot Abbott-Donnelly of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension helped coordinate the EcoTrail and will be on hand at the Forestry EcoStation. "It's amazing the one-on-one education you can give to the children," said Abbott-Donnelly, who has been involved with the festival since its first year. "They seem so interested, and you can share so much with them. And the best part is, everybody takes something home with them." While many of the events are geared toward children, the festival is an event for all ages. "It's actually teaching the parents and the children all at the same time," Abbott-Donnelly said. "Everybody's hearing the same message, and hopefully they'll put it to use." With about 18 exhibitors, festivalgoers can learn about composting, make a pinecone bird feeder or watch Little Drummer perform a tribute to Mother Earth. And for the first time, the Bassmasters will have an area set up where children can learn how to cast a fishing pole. The group also will host a casting contest. "The whole idea really is conservation," Aguilar said. "We want these kids to learn how to catch and unhook a fish properly, make sure it's released, where they can and can't fish, and we want it to be fun for them." The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's theme for the festival is "Recycling Begins and Ends with You." DNREC staff will present information on community recycling, how shredded tires are being used for playground surfaces and how houses can be built of recycled materials such as plastic lumber and cellulose insulation. Information also will be given on the Recycling Assistance Grant Program, a tool to encourage community-based recycling programs. "There's so many different things for people to learn here," Aguilar said. "We really want them to walk away with a diverse environmental message." Aguilar said about 3,000 people attended last year, and he's anticipating about 5,000 at this year's festival, which is held in cooperation with Kent County Levy Court Community Services Department. "It's not just a fun thing to do on the weekend," Abbott-Donnelly said. "You're learning about recycling and the environment while you're having fun."