It’s as easy as 1, 2, 10!

In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson took a political stance on the effects of environmental pollution by helping organize the first ever “Environmental Teach-In”, held on April 22, 1970. Since then, Earth Day has blossomed into a full month of environmental awareness activities. In 1990, the Earth Day concept went international with 200 million people in over 140 nations participating. Earth Day involvement continues to grow, with over 1 billion people involved in awareness activities today.  

We participate in Earth Month every year and incorporate all of its action steps into our daily zoo routines. Below are 10 simple tips you can integrate into your daily routine to minimize the negative impact on the environment.

1.        Use scrap paper for informal notes to yourself and others.

2.        Start an office recycling program for office and computer paper, cardboard, etc.

3.        If you buy disposable items, buy compostable products rather than plastics or Styrofoam.

4.        When you shop, use one big sack instead of collecting several small ones, or better yet, take your own totes with you.

5.        Turn your car off if you are stopping for more than one minute to avoid wasting gas and polluting our air.

6.        Recycle your vehicle’s and recreational vehicle’s engine oil and battery.

7.        Turn down the heat and turn off the water heater before you leave home for vacation.

8.        When you’re on vacation, hang your towels back on the rack to be used another day.

9.        Compost your food waste. Composting, especially with worms, is an easy and fun project that kids can get excited about.

10.     Take only photographs and leave only footprints when you explore.

"But now, says the Once-ler, Now that you´re here, the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." – Dr. Seuss

 *Sourced - History.com

Happy Earth Month!

Earth Day Green Crafts - Toothbrush Bracelets

Turn your toothbrush into a unique recycled bracelet and watch your kids start a new fashion craze for Earth Day!

What you'll need:

·        Old toothbrush

·        Tweezers or pliers

·        Pot

·        Tongs

·        Large mug

·        Oven gloves

How to make it:

1.      Remove all the bristles from the toothbrush with tweezers or pliers.

2.      Boil water.

3.      Keep water boiling, put toothbrush in water for five minutes.

4.      Remove toothbrush with tongs, bend to desired shape.

5.      If toothbrush doesn't bend enough, submerge again in water.

6.      Remove brush and bend as much as possible.

7.      Place bent toothbrush in bottom of mug to hold its shape while it cools.

8.      Pour cold water in mug and remove your new bracelet.

Tips:

1.      This craft requires fishing the hot toothbrushes out of boiling water and bending them while they are still hot. Be sure to use a simple toothbrush for this, it seems the fancier, and more high tech the toothbrush the stronger, and more difficult to bend. We had luck with the classic REACH toothbrushes.

For more green craft ideas visit: http://crafts.kaboose.com

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Celebrates Earth Day All April Long!

By: Kellie McGregor, CMZ Outreach Coordinator & Earth Month Committee Member

In March and April, nature awakes from its deep sleep to enjoy the warmer temperatures. Have you noticed the flowers and grass beginning to peer out from their winter hiding spots? Even the animals at the zoo are enjoying the sun. Just yesterday, one of our Amur tigers was playfully savoring a dip in the water of his exhibit. It’s as if nature is rejoicing the coming of spring. That’s why it’s fitting we are celebrating, too! This April, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is teaming up with Pikes Peak Earth Day, and other businesses and non-profits to celebrate Mother Earth the entire month.


To start things off, we’re throwing a party! The Pikes Peak Earth Month Kickoff Party jumpstarts the month of festivities on April 1, 2012, at Stargazers Theatre in Colorado Springs from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. It’s going to be a night of sustainability, conservation, and fun! Enjoy music, food, and drinks supplied by companies that care about our Earth. Even better, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Zoo On The Move and Quarters for Conservation projects will be there with live animals, and information on how you can protect wild animals and wild places. Guests will also have the chance to make a pledge to make a change in their lives to better the environment through our new pledge program.


Being a part of the Pikes Peak Earth Day committee and the Pikes Peak Earth Month Kickoff Party is especially important to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo because protecting our planet is something we strive to do all year long. In addition to providing up close experiences with animals, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo implemented the Quarters for Conservation program - $0.25 of each admission is allocated to conservation efforts around the world. In an effort to reduce waste, we’ve also begun a composting program. We know that in order to protect our amazing animals and habitats they live in, we must be good stewards of the planet.


We are challenging you to be good stewards of our planet, too. Check our calendar for Earth Month activities at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or the Pikes Peak Earth Day website for happenings throughout Colorado Springs, then join us at the Pikes Peak Earth Month Kickoff Party on April 1 and pledge to make a change.