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Environmental Days 2008
May 16th, 17th & 18th
Environmental Earth Education Days or E-Days
at the "Trails and Trees Environmental Center".
The Mechanicsburg Recreation Department in cooperation with Mechanicsburg Middle School, and the Mechanicsburg Area Environmental Clubs invites the general public to join an interactive, educational, environmental day, May 18th, with more than 40 environmental organizations. Sponsors of this event include:
- The Wildcat Foundation
- Mechanicsburg Borough - Environmental Advisory Council
- Pennsylvania American Water
- United Water Company
- Jazz Me Band
- Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association
- Orchard Freeze
- Good’s Tree Care Inc.
On Friday, May 16th, approximately three hundred 7th graders from the Mechanicsburg Middle School will be spending the entire day immersed in environmental activities, for the event called the ”Environmental Challenge”. These students choose from over 30 activities and 'stations' according to their interests. After a kick-off assembly featuring Bruce Arnold from 25X25- America's Energy Future, the students' busy day starts with such activities as the following: 1) testing the water quality, terrain, wildlife and vegetation of local watersheds, 2) learning about macro invertebrates and microinvertabrates hands-on-style and their habitat, then creating the habitat inorder to reintroduce these critters back into damaged streams, 3) learn about "good bugs", "bad bugs" and integrated pest management, 4) learn about bluebirds and go on bluebird walks, 5) learn how to identify and control invasive plants, 6) composting, 7) creating butterfly gardens, 8)learning about and doing organic gardening, 9) cleaning and mulching trails, 10) learning proper recycling techniques, 11) painting storms drains, 12) doing community service projects in local parks and Borough sites, 13) evaluate the general health of local streams and marshes, to name but a few of the activities. The students' day pauses at 12:30 to reenergize with a "waste free lunch", and then continues on until 2:00 p.m. Even after that time, there are still some students that may be so immersed in their activity that they stay longer, or come back after school to finish.
Friday, May 16th, Under the Stars evening with E-5 Hemlock Girl Scout Service Unit, Storyteller, and Astrology, camp fire, outdoor cooking and snacks, a night hike with breakfast over the fire.
Saturday, May 17th, is Environmental Stewardship Day from 8:30-12:30, a recycling/ reusing event known to most people as a yard sale from 7:30- 11:30 and a 5 K Walk/Run. The General Public is invited to participate in all of these events.
Sunday, May 18th, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. is a huge interactive environmental event that is open to the GENERAL PUBLIC. EVERYONE is invited to come out to see what their 7th Grader did on Friday, and the Environmental Stewardship groups did on Saturday, plus acquaint themselves with "Trails and Trees" Environmental Site, learn from, become interactive with displays, activities, and programs presented by more than 40 State, County, local agencies and clubs. Some of these environmental organizations present on the 18th will be as follows: Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Partnership of the Susquehanna Valley, Appalachian Audubon, Audubon PA, Environmental Advisory Council- Borough of Mechanicsburg, Bluebird Society of PA, Capital Area Green Belt Association, Capital Resource Conservation and Development, Clean Air Board of Cumberland County, Condoguinet Creek Watershed Association, Cumberland County Conservation District, Cumberland County Planning Commission, Cumberland County Solid Waste, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Homestore, Green Street Vegetarian Club, , Ironstone Ridge Nature Center, Joshua Farms, MASH Environmental Club, Mason-Dixon Branch of Quality Deer Management, Mechanicsburg Area Adult Environmental Club, PA Cleanways, ORCHARD FREEZE, United Water Company, Penn State Extension Office, Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania American Water Company, Professional Recyclers of PA, Providence Boutique, Solar Tech of PA, Spiral Path Farms, Waste Management, Yellow Breeches Watershed Association, 25x25 America's Renewable Energy Alliance, Central Pennsylvania Water Quality Association, Everblossom Farm, PA Environmental Council, Capital Area Green Belt Association, The Nature Conservancy, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, and JAZZ ME BAND.
Children's Programs Schedule
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center will present at 1:30 p.m and 3:00 p.m.
Green Team Puppet Shows and Plays at 1:00, 3:45 and 4:30 p.m.
Mechanicsburg Area Senior High Environmental Club will be painting faces and rocks, and reading to children at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.
A petting zoo will also be in attendance.
Since the event is FREE to the public, the admission price is at least one empty aluminum can per person. There will be a designated drop-off area for aluminum cans. All proceeds will benefit Environmental Agencies.
Parking will be available at the:
The Mechanicsburg Middle School: 1750 S. Market Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Directions to the event:
From Route 15 North - Take the Bowmansdale - Route 114 Exit and turn left at the end of the ramp. Follow Rt. 114 to the new Middle school about ½ mile on your left. (second school)
From Route 15 South - Take the Bowmansdale - Route 114 Exit and turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow Rt. 114 to the new Middle School about ½ mile on your left. (second school)
From Route 81 (North or South) - Take the Mechanicsburg Exit and go south on Rt. 114. Go straight at the Carlisle Pike intersection and travel about 3 miles into town. You will turn left at the red light at Rt. 114 and Main Street (American Legion on your left). At the next light, turn right and follow Market Street for about 2 miles (you will pass a Sheetz on your left), going up Market Street hill and the new Middle School will be on your right.
If you have any questions, call the Mechanicsburg Area Parks & Recreation Department at 717-691-4572.
Call us.............................691-4572
Click us...........................www.Mbgsd.org
Come on in.......................100 E. Elmwood Avenue
To all of our Mechanicsburg E-Day Organizations:
First of all, we would like to thank you for your commitment to participate in E-Day 2008. We have continued to strive to implement a community event that will encourage a day of environmental, earth and education benefits for all ages.
Once again, thank you for your services to the Mechanicsburg Area Parks & Recreation Department. We look forward to continue our partnership with you throughout the coming years.
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