Leap for Green Event Hopes to Promote Sustainability

Blue Sky Cleaners and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) are sponsoring the 2012 Mercer Island Leap for Green event taking place on Saturday, April 21 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Leap for Green is an event focused on community sustainability which includes activities for both children and adults that focus on contributing to a world that does more with less.

The annual event highlights how climate change affects everyone on the planet regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location. Informational booths, presentations, and learning activities will focus on developing a sustainable community based on the three pillars of economy, equity, and environment. "Leap," the event mascot, will provide additional entertainment.

Leap for Green not only educates, but serves to connect the whole Mercer Island community.  

This year, the event will focus on food and bring together several community sustainability initiatives: , (YFS) Food Pantry, Food Revolution (quality nutrition and local ingredients together in the school lunches), TIMI (fostering a resilient Mercer Island that increasingly produces its own food), and Urban Harvest (gleaning fruit from underutilized community trees).

In conjunction with the event, local Elementary schools will also be promoting the focus on sustainability at their science fairs to encourage projects that reflect "green" themes. Resources from around the region such as local farmers and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organizations will also be in attendance.  

Specific learning opportunities for children include: Kids in the Kitchen with Chef Tom, Cooping 101 workshop, "bees, bunnies, goats and chickens," and planting projects. Fresh and sustainable food will be available. 

Attendees are asked to practice sustainability at the event and bring personal water bottles for drinking water on site and a non-perishable food item to donate to the YFS Food Pantry. 

For additional information visit:www.mercergov.org/leapforgreen.

--Information from the City of Mercer Island