The Indiana State Museum will provide a platform that showcases how individuals and companies can tackle environmental issues at the annual Going Green Festival on Friday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's festival will showcase eco-friendly products and services, local environmental leaders, lifestyle activities and much more.
"Throughout the festival, we will have numerous representatives from environmental awareness organizations and businesses lecturing and demonstrating on a variety of subjects, including native backyard wildlife, energy efficiency, organic foods and clean waterways to name a few," said Joanna Hahn, Manager of School Programs.
Each year the festival allows guests to challenge their skills at spotting energy foes, planting their own garbage gardens and creating masterpieces of recycled art, all while saving green to be green.
New to this year's festival is an Eco Science Fair featuring displays by Indiana students, statewide, that are currently championing their school's green projects. The fair is presented in partnership with Indianapolis-based Earth Charter Indiana. "We hope the displays inspires other school age visitors to see if there is something their schools can do to be more green," added Hahn.
Jim Poyser, Executive Director of Earth Charter Indiana, will conduct a lecture and demonstration on the connections between carbon emissions, greenhouse gases and extreme weather events, such as the Superstorm Sandy and the great drought of 2012. He is a certified trainer with the Climate Reality Project, a non-profit organization involved in education and advocacy related to climate change. His presentations will occur at various times throughout the day on both Friday and Saturday.
The festival is included with museum admission and free to members. School and home school group reservations are required to receive the $1 per student admission fee. Please call 317.232.1637 to register your class today. Classes interested in attending one of Jim Poyser's presentations must make the request to Guest Services upon making a reservation.
