Press Release issued Friday 4/17 for Earth Day

Earth Day is April 22.
Several Events are happening in Central Ohio beginning this weekend.

The Leave No Child Inside movement (in Central Ohio at www.kidsandnature.org) is helping to promote Earth Day by encouraging parents to play outside in nature with their children. Backyards, nearby parks and woods, municipal parks and Metro Parks are important places to spend time each day.

Studies show daily play in nature makes kids happier, healthier and smarter! It doesn’t take much more effort than getting the kids off the couch and into the yard, or walking them to the park.

Here are some local events you may want to highlight:

1. Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th – Earth Day 2009: Picture This!

Picture this: thousands of central Ohioans working together to clean up, beautify, and garden in Columbus on Saturday the 18th and then celebrating with a festival at Goodale Park on Sunday the 19th! The festival will run from noon until 7 and feature booths for environmental organizations, live music, local foods, speakers including Mayor Michael B. Coleman, kids’ activities and much more.

The Godman Guild’s Weinland Park Community Garden is an official site for this city-wide event, so please join us Saturday from 10:00AM ‘“ 2:00PM preparing our garden for the upcoming growing season!

To see this and other sites all over Central Ohio, check here:

2. Family Nature Clubs ‘“

If you are already the outdoors type, it’s time to invite other families and friends along. The Children and Nature Network is encouraging family nature clubs across the country to empower families to spread the word and help inexperienced hikers and campers see how safe, fun and fantastic it is to play in nature. www.childrenandnature.org

3. Explore the Outdoors at area state parks and with other partners.

Check out www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com to see how your children can qualify for prizes by completing nature activities from the Activity Guide.