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Earth Friendly: Community invited to Earth Day Expo

By Marie Lester
April 19, 2012 at midnight
Updated April 19, 2012 at 11:20 p.m.

Marie Lester

Marie Lester

Flowers, trees, the big blue sky . these words make me think of Earth Day (and peace signs and hippies). But plastic, table and airplane? These words don't make me think of Earth Day.

Take a look around you for a minute, and take a second to realize that everything around you came from the Earth.

Your chair from trees, your coffee cup from clay and sand and your clothes from cotton ... everything. Earth Day isn't for hippies anymore - it is for everyone.

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. It was pioneered by United States Sen. Gaylord Nelson to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment.

Why April 22? This date was selected to maximize participation: it doesn't conflict with any major holidays, it is late enough in the spring for decent weather, schools aren't taking final exams and spring break is over.

Twenty million people participated in this first Earth Day. Good planning, Sen. Nelson. Earth Day is still celebrated on April 22 and now draws 1 billion people from 192 countries around the world.

In celebration of Earth Day, Victoria, in conjunction with The Texas Zoo, will conduct an Earth Day Expo: Jungle Jubilee from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, at the Texas Zoo, at 110 Memorial Drive. Admission is $1 per person or free for Texas Zoo members. The event is open to the community.

The Earth Day Expo is a family event featuring booths, inflatables, craft activities and scheduled events throughout the day. Come listen to Lucas Miller, the Singing Zoologist, croon about animals. Try your hand at atlatl throwing with the Museum of the Coastal Bend.

Learn about marine debris with the Texas State Aquarium. Interact with The Texas Zoo staff through tours and shows. Even if you aren't a kid and don't have little ones, come on out, The Texas Zoo is a peaceful place to enjoy nature and watch animals.

Come have fun "jungle style" and learn about air quality, recycling, water conservation and many other environmental topics. The Earth Day Expo is sponsored by the city of Victoria Environmental Services Department, the Texas Zoo and First Victoria National Bank.

If you can't make the event, you can still celebrate Earth Day. Here's a list of things you can do to enjoy nature and protect the environment: •  Plant trees or start a garden (plant edibles in your front flower bed, why not)?

•  Cook a special Earth Day meal (organic, locally grown, waste free).

•  Reduce, reuse and recycle.

•  Ride your bike or walk instead of driving.

•  Create an energy and water savings plan for your home.

•  Clean up litter in your neighborhood.

•  Go paperless (in the office, in the kitchen, get creative).

•  Take your car in for a tune up.

•  Update your light bulbs to energy-saving fluorescents.

•  Start a compost pile or compost bin.

•  Remember your reusable bags, or get yourself a set of them.

Visit for 50 more tips.




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