Local efforts to make Indy green

What: Earth Day Indiana
Where: American Legion Mall
When: Saturday, April 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Info: Free; www.earthdayindiana.org

Indianapolis celebrates Earth Day this Saturday, April 28 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with the first free outdoor festival of the season and the state’s largest environmental event of the year. The festival takes place at the American Legion Mall, on the corner of Meridian and North streets downtown.

Each year, the Earth Day Indiana festival features nearly a hundred exhibits from environmental and conservation groups, as well as businesses and government agencies with an environmental message.

The festival also includes live entertainment from local bands, food and special activities for kids.

To celebrate Earth Day, NUVO will be participating in the festival this Saturday, and we’ve provided a pull-out recycling guide in this week’s issue that we hope you’ll find useful.

Recycling is just one of many things we can do to conserve and protect valuable resources. Local organizations are matching your efforts to improve our environment, and we wanted to share information about a few of these organizations with you. Check out their Web sites for additional information. If we’ve left you out, please let us know at green@nuvo.net.

Local green organizations

Ecology House of Indianapolis
http://ecologyhouse.com

Ecology House’s mission is to increase awareness about residential environmental issues and demonstrate sustainable solutions. It has partnered with other Indianapolis organizations to incorporate green design and sustainability in homes throughout the Indianapolis area.

Central Indiana Land Trust
www.cilti.org

Central Indiana Land Trust oversees the protection of 15 natural habitats throughout Central Indiana. Its goal is to continue to protect and raise awareness about the importance of saving land from unplanned growth and urban sprawl.

Indiana Recycling Coalition
www.indianarecycling.org, www.defendrecycling.org

The IRC supports source reduction, reuse, composting and recycling activities in Indiana. Its goal is to conserve our natural resources, decrease reliance on final disposal and to encourage environmental responsibility.

Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
www.citact.org

The Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana set forth to initiate, facilitate and coordinate action to improve the quality of life through advocacy of public policies to preserve democracy, conserve natural resources, protect the environment and provide affordable access to essential human services.

Hoosier Environmental Council
www.hecweb.org

HEC is an organization that works to protect and restore the natural environment through education, advocacy and citizen empowerment. Its vision is for Hoosiers to turn to a conservation ethic that values sustainable use and preservation.

The Greenways Foundation
www.indygreenways.org

Greenways Foundation is a charitable trust working to promote the growth, enhancement and use of Indiana greenways. It also co-hosts cleanup along Fall Creek and White River each year.

Greening the Government
www.in.gov/idoa/services/greening/

Indiana state agencies are practicing environmentally friendly policies. Those policies include mandatory recycling at state facilities, paper reduction efforts, energy efficiency and waste reduction strategies for government operations, and on-going education and recognition for state employee involvement in these efforts.

Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District
www.marionswcd.org

The Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District works to provide technical, financial and educational services to help Marion County land users conserve soil, water and natural resources.

Center for Earth and Environmental Science
www.cees.iupui.edu

The Center for Earth and Environmental Science at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis is a research center that seeks to solve complex environmental problems. The projects translate environmental problems and solutions to legislators, environmental professionals, students and citizens. CEES’ research includes wetland restoration, study of environmental contaminants and water evaluation.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
www.kib.org

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.’s mission is to unite people to beautify the city, improve the environment and foster pride in the community. KIB partners with neighborhoods, businesses, youth, schools, community leaders and the government to positively impact the lives of the residents of Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Climate Action Network (ICAN)
www.indianapoliscan.net

The Indianapolis Climate Action Network will partner with all existing groups of individuals concerned with the cause or impact of human-induced, rapid global climate change. ICAN will serve as a consistent, pragmatic voice to promote sustainable practices and technologies that reduce our city’s greenhouse emissions. ICAN will also promote sensible adaptation practices to deal with the impacts of a rapidly changing Indiana climate on our health, families, jobs and community.

Indy Sustainable Food Alliance
www.indysustainablefoodalliance.org

Recognizing that food security does not exist in Central Indiana, a group of concerned citizens created the Indy Sustainable Food Alliance. Its purpose is to promote and develop sustainable community-driven food solutions.

Indiana Public Interest Research Group (INPIRG)
www.inpirg.org

A group of Indiana University students have learned what it takes to be effective citizens. INPIRG is an organization that investigates society’s big problems — take global warming, for example — and tries to come up with a practical solution. Students involved in INPIRG on their campus gain educational experience by taking action and working to improve the quality of life.