There are several ways you can celebrate Earth Day 2005 in the Ames area. On Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be an Earth Day Fair on the north Campanile lawn at Iowa State. On Saturday you can clean up the community with “Stash the Trash” or participate in a 5K run at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

The Earth Day Fair should be fun for people of all ages. About 15 local and campus groups, and even Smokey Bear, will be participating. Entrance is free, and there will be plenty of space to sit outside and have a picnic. There will be informational displays, pamphlets, and demonstrations. There will also be homemade and earthy items available including flowers, trees, minerals, blown glass, jewelry and flutes.

If you cannot make it out on Earth Day, there are several steps you can take to lighten your environmental footprint and keep the community clean and healthy.

Reducing the amount of time you spend driving would likely have one of the greatest impacts of any step you could take. This can be accomplished by walking or biking to work or school, using CyRide and carpooling when driving is necessary.

Planting more native vegetation would greatly improve our environment. Another significant step would be to reduce the amount of water, fertilizer and pesticides used on your lawn. Did you know that on a per-acre basis, residential home owners apply more of these chemicals to their lawns than farmers do to their fields?

A third step is to always carry a grocery bag, so you may pick up trash as you walk in the city, on trails or even at the beach.

Whatever you do this Earth Day, remember to keep environmental awareness alive throughout the year.

Camomilia Bright

Graduate Student

Geological and Atmospheric Sciences