Earth Day 2004

Earth Day, April 22, was founded by former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin and was first celebrated in 1970.  Even though Earth Day has been around 34 years, it gives NRCS offices and partners a chance to inform people of all ages about the importance of maintaining, conserving, and improving our natural resources. Here’s how some NRCS and conservation districts helped others celebrate Earth Day:

April Showers to Water Towers,  Water Festival, Lawrence

April 18, 2004
Focus:  A "water quality cycle" as it relates to drinking source and community use.
Goal: To educate participants about water availability; its quality, costs.
Activities: The Incredible Journey, Water Olympics, Watershed Address Map, Storm water Obstacle Course, Rainfall Simulator, and Stream Model Trailer. The day's festivities started with a parade. Partnering with Lawrence Earth Day Committee.
Vernis Flottman, District Manager, Douglas County Conservation District

Earth Day

April 22, 2004, Heigeles Farm, Northeast of Iola, KS
The Allen County Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service is planning an Earth Day event for 4th grade students from McKinley Elementary School and 4th and 5th grade students from Jefferson Elementary School from Iola, Kansas.  Several conservation professionals will present demonstrations on soil erosion, water and soil pollution, range management, soil science, and wildlife biology.
Gerald Gray, District Conservationist, NRCS - Iola FO

Boeing Wichita presents:  Earth Day Kansas

Date and time of event: April 22, 2004 9 a.m to 4 p.m.
Location of event: Sedgwick County Zoo
Environmental agencies and advocates, including business and industry, share their knowledge with area students in grades 5 and below.  The students learn about recycling, pollution, endangered species, emergency preparedness, weather, natural resources and much more.
Wichita Field Office

Earth Day Groceries Project

April 22nd and days surrounding, during store hours, at Country Mart and Dillons in Arkansas City and Apple Market and Dillons in Winfield.  This project is to promote environmental awareness.  Children at local schools are decorating paper grocery bags with environmental messages and pictures.  These bags will be handed out in local grocery stores to customers on April 22nd, Earth Day, and the days surrounding (as supplies last).  A sign will be posted to explain the presence and meaning of the decorated bags.  A report will be submitted to the project website documenting the participation of the schools and community.
Kindra S. Adams, Water Quality Coordinator, Cowley County

Environmental Education Enrichment

April 26-30, 2004
Location of event: Sportsman's Acres at Milford Lake
The Geary County Conservation District will be offering Triple E (Environmental, Education and Enrichment), which is a week long environmental educational tour for approximately 600 Geary County 5th graders.  The tour consists of 4 stops: nature center, fish hatchery, water quality and Kansas birds.   Participating partners in the week are NRCS; Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Corps of Engineers; and Kansas Forest Service.
Linda J. Stewart, Geary County Conservation District    

Earth Week

The Kearny County Conservation District and the Kearny County Library will host a week long celebration. On Tuesday, free water testing will be offered to all Kearny County residents.  Beginning at 3:30, environmental activities will begin for children.  Informational materials will be available.  Refreshments will be served all day.  Other events throughout the week include a coloring contest, door prizes, and daily handouts.
Les M. James District Conservationist, Kearny County, Lakin, KS

Water Rally 2004

Date and time of event: April 22, 2004 @ 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location of event: Wyandotte County Lake Park, Kansas City
The second annual Wyandotte County Water Rally is a learning opportunity in the form of a water festival that promotes student environmental awareness for elementary grades K thru 5. Water Rally 2004 will educate students and community volunteers on the importance of improving our water quality and conserving our natural resources. The program activities are designed to address environmental issues that currently impact our lakes and streams in the county such as; non-point source pollution, storm water pollution, stream degradation and destruction of wildlife habitat.
Beth Held, Wyandotte County Conservation District

Central School Earth Day

Date and Time: April 22, 2004 All Day
Location of event: Central Jr. High School, Columbus, KS
Lots of different activities are being planned for grades 4-8.  Approximately 410 kids involved.

Date and Time: April 29, 2004 All Day
Location of event: Cherokee Co Fair Ground, Columbus, KS
Lots of different presenters throughout the day.
NRCS and Cherokee County Conservation District

History and Environmental Fair in Topeka with the Shawnee County District, NRCS and Kansas State Historical Society

There are 30 different hands-on activities for 4th grade up. 2000 students are expected.  Earth Team Volunteers will be used to man the activities and provide support.
Shawnee County Conservation District

Wilson County Courthouse Earth Day Celebration

At the Fredonia Field Office, 6 volunteers will assist the Conservation District Manager in a kindergarten presentation at Lincoln Elementary School. Additional Earth Team Volunteers will plant a commemorative tree at the Wilson County Courthouse Earth Day celebration.  Volunteers will assist in the second annual Prestigious Tree Contest as part of the Earth Day and Arbor Day Activities.  Volunteers will also assist with Earth Day celebration in the schools.  Balloon  bouquets, Earth Day Stickers and Earth Day cupcakes baked by volunteers will be distributed to elementary schools in the county.