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EPA Marks Earth Day with Events Across the Country

Release Date: 04/21/2011
Contact Information: EPA Press Office, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – With Earth Day approaching on April 22, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been holding events to highlight health and environmental issues around the United States.

On April 16 and 17, EPA held an event on the National Mall where Americans gathered to learn how to protect their health and environment in which they live. EPA showcased more than 40 interactive exhibits where kids and adults had eco-fun with hands on activities, art, music, and storytelling with special guests Marcus McNeill from the San Diego Chargers, Madieu Williams from the Minnesota Vikings, and Olympic track star Michael Walton.

This week Administrator Lisa P. Jackson toured the country to listen to Americans and help bring awareness around the environmental issues that affect them.

· April 18: Administrator Jackson announced the formation of EPA’s Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships initiative. Strong relationships with faith and neighborhood organizations will help promote environmental stewardship that will lead to cleaner communities, encourage healthier families and build a stronger America.
· April 19: Administrator Jackson and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack met with farmers and ranchers in Iowa to discuss EPA and USDA’s joint efforts to ensure that American agriculture continues to be productive. Agriculture is part of the foundation of the American economy. EPA’s mission to safeguard clean air, clear water and productive land is a critical part of sustaining farming jobs and productivity.
· April 20: Administrator Jackson traveled to New Orleans to tour a wetlands restoration project on the Mississippi/Louisiana shore line on the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill. She later joined a group of community members for a tour of a successful marsh restoration project at Bayou Dupont. Also, EPA awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to gulf region organizations that are helping educate residents about health and environmental concerns following the spill.
· April 21: Administrator Jackson is joining Philadelphia Mayor Nutter to highlight green infrastructure by focusing on the Big Green Block initiative, a collaborative sustainability project at and around Shissler Recreation Center. Green infrastructure reduces water pollution by capturing and filtering rain runoff using green roofs, permeable materials, alternative street and building design, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
· April 22: Administrator Jackson will visit the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. to learn about the zoo’s innovative sustainability efforts.

Earth Day is every day at EPA. There are many ways that citizens can help protect their health and environment -- the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on.

More information on Earth Day events: https://www.epa.gov/earthday/index.html