Celebrate Earth Day with the Fruit Girls!

 

This year’s celebration marks the 10th Annual People’s Earth Day, and the Grand Opening of the EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park, San Francisco's landmark ecological education center.  The festivities are taking place in conjunction with Sunday Streets, and will mark the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, the “birth of the modern environmental movement.”  
The day’s events will feature:
•    Keynote address by EPA Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumenfeld
•    Healing for the land and spirit from the Ohlone Peoples and Hamaya dancers
•    Announcement of a major new scholarship fund for Bayview youth
•    Unveiling of a signature heron sculpture designed and created by metal artist Daniel Macchiarini in collaboration with LEJ youth
•    Jazz and R&B from Jaye & Friends
•    Local and international cuisine from Good Eats and La Laguna
•    A showcase of talent
•    Bird tours led by SF Nature
•    “Hands on the land” restoration activities in Heron’s Head Park
•    Tours of the EcoCenter led by LEJ youth leaders

•    Sustainability Fair with free take home resources
•    Confirmed speakers include San Francisco Supervisor Sophie Maxwell and Indian Canyon Key Keeper Ann Marie Sayers

Check out the Eco Center!!!!!

The EcoCenter will be San Francisco’s first 100% “off-grid” building, modeling solar power and alternative wastewater technologies. Nearly every feature of this 1,500-square-foot facility will be innovative and used to educate the public about renewable energy, pollution and greenhouse gas reduction, wastewater treatment, “green” building materials, and the green economy. Technologies will include:

• Eco Machine wastewater treatment. This series of wetland cells and ultraviolet sterilization lamps will treat wastewater and recycle treated water for landscape irrigation.
• A Green Living Roof to reduce building needs for heating and cooling, provide retention of stormwater on site for reuse, reduce heat island effect of building on site, and encourage wildlife habitat.
• Solar panels and wind turbine to meet all electricity demands of the building.
• Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) that provide high energy efficiency and strength in the walls and roof as well as seismic support and fire resistance.
• Native landscaping to help promote water conservation, the elimination of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and encourage education around native plant propagation.

More than 400 high school students provided input throughout the design and siting of the EcoCenter. Over the course of the coming year, community workdays will be used to install the native landscape, living roof, and community-created art, with every phase and feature intended to engage or teach the public.