The city of Mesa is rolling out a series of eco-centric events for Earth Month. With an extensive list of activities planned for April, the city is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to hammer home the importance of carbon neutrality by 2050 – a goal as ambitious as it is necessary.
As part of the Earth Month hoopla, Mesa's Energy and Sustainability Director, Scott Bouchie, has made it clear that this initiative is more than just a 30-day stint. According to a statement obtained by mesaaz.gov, Bouchie said, "Mesa’s Climate Action Plan – which focuses on air quality, heat mitigation, energy, materials management, food systems and water stewardship – ensures that Mesa has the planet in mind not just in April, but all year long."
From understanding how to conserve water to gardening tips that defy the Arizona heat, Mesa residents are in for a treat. The highlight of the show, a special showcase called the Living Green Village, is set for April 13 at Pioneer Park – where over 20 exhibitors will school attendees on everything from recycling to water conservation.
Mesa Public Schools (MPS) kids are diving into an Earth Day Art Contest, with winners looking to snag up to $400 in school supplies. What's more, a new tree will be planted at each participating MPS elementary school, which was detailed by mesaaz.gov. In the spirit of full inclusion, Mesa's libraries are hosting Walk-in Wednesdays on April 17 and 24 where children will get their hands dirty with sustainable crafts and STEM activities.
Businesses looking to join the eco-wagon will find camaraderie in the Green Business Certification program, run jointly by the city and Local First Arizona. And for those itching to get their hands in the soil, a free Summer Gardening workshop with gardener extraordinaire Angela Judd is on the docket on April 11.
To top off the eco-friendly festivities, residents can visit the Household Hazardous Materials Facility on April 19 and 20 to drop off accepted items and score a free natural cleaner recipe spray bottle – while stocks last.
The city of Mesa is moving full throttle to raise the bar for sustainability, giving Earth Day the month-long respect it deserves and offering residents a slew of options to get on board the green revolution. More information on the city's Earth Month initiatives can be found by visiting mesaaz.gov/earthday or by reaching out to Ana Pereira at [email protected] for interviews.
