Mayor Plans Earth Day Events

From Mayor Finch:

City to Mark Earth Day with Series of Events This Week and Throughout Spring

Bridgeport, CT (April 19, 2011) – In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, the City of Bridgeport will host several events throughout the spring season that promote a clean, healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

“Our plans to commemorate Earth Day go well beyond one day because thinking about how we can improve the environment we live in should be more than just a one-day event,” said Mayor Finch who will be attending many of the events hosted by the City.

Tree plantings, park, beach and neighborhood cleanups are among the many events scheduled. Earth Day festivities in Bridgeport kicked off last Saturday with the “Spring Clean sponsored by the Downtown Special Services District. Groups of volunteers helped clean up trash and debris throughout the downtown neighborhood.

“I’m proud of the efforts of so many communities throughout the City who have come forward to let us know that they want to pitch in and help beautify Bridgeport. I’m looking forward to a season full of hard work in cleaning up our city, and opportunities to educate and improve awareness of how our actions impact the world we live in.”

To promote the use of public transportation, Mayor Finch will be taking a bus to events scheduled on his calendar on Thursday, April 21, courtesy of Greater Bridgeport Transit (GBT), a partner of the City’s Earth Day celebration. GBT will also be hosting a day full of activities and giveaways on that day at the GBT Bus Station. For more information on GBT’s Earth Day schedule go to www.gogbt.com/index.php?page=earth-day-2011.

Also on Thursday, the Mayor will celebrate the deployment of a Big Belly solar-powered trash compactor on McLevy Green. He’ll then travel by bus to deliver a Mayor’s Beautification Award to one of the 20 April winners, and on the way back he will join Greater Bridgeport Transit representatives at the main bus station for the GBT Kids Art Show and live radio broadcast.

Mayor Finch, who has been recognized by several organizations including the Environmental Hall of Fame, Business New Haven and the Connecticut Green Building Council for the City’s sustainability initiatives, participated in the nation’s first Earth Day as a teenager.

Upcoming Events include 

· April 15-21: GBT Food Drive

All GBT buses and GBT Bus Station

· April 20, 11:30 a.m.: Tree Planting

Eisenhower Senior Center, 263 Golden Hill St.

· April 21, 2 p.m.: Big Belly Solar Powered Trash Compactor Deployment

McLevy Green, corner of Broad and State Streets

· April 21, 3 p.m.: Mayor’s Beautification Awards

Location TBD (Mayor will be riding GBT bus to location)

· April 21, 4 p.m.: GBT Kids’ Art Show Contest

GBT Bus Station, 710 Water St.

· April 21, TBD: Earth Day Pledge

GBT Bus Station, 710 Water St.

· April 23, 8:30 a.m.: Fayerweather Lighthouse Cleanup

Seaside Park

· April 30, 9 a.m.: Public Allies, Groundwork Bridgeport, Park City Sweep

Multiple locations throughout the city

· April 30, 9 a.m.: Green Village Initiative School Education/Gardening Efforts, Dunbar School, 445 Union Ave.

· May 3, 6 p.m.: “Be Green” Artists’ Reception

Gallery@999, City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St.

· May 5, 4 p.m.: Lighthouse Program/Student Conservation Association Arbor Day Tree Planting

Jettie Tisdale School, 250 Hollister Ave.