Learn how to make an impact this Earth Day at King County's free Earth Day Expo, April 21

Learn how ears of corn can power buses, see how worms help flowers grow and hug a giant salmon who wears a baseball cap at King County's Annual Earth Day Expo on Friday, April 21, at Westlake Plaza, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free of charge.

Activities and educational opportunities for both children and adults will be available all day. On hand will be Bert the Salmon, King County's environmental mascot, plus worm bins and educational booths showcasing environmentally friendly programs, services and products provided by local businesses, community organizations and government groups working to protect and preserve the environment.

Scheduled activities include:

• 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  Children's activity corner: Kids ages 3-7 can create crafts designed to promote environmental awareness and learn fun ecological facts like how worms turn paper and food waste into a landscaping resource.
  
• Noon:
  Starbucks and King County Parks Project Unveiling: Starbucks will join King County to unveil a prototype of the park trail informational kiosks, a new project funded by a $250,000 grant awarded to King County in 2005 as part of the Starbucks Neighborhood Parks Program.

Ongoing Activities:

• Tour a veggie-powered bus: In accordance to this Earth Day's national theme, “Solutions to Climate Change,” visitors can tour one of the first King County Metro Transit buses to run on a mixture of biodiesel fuel and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.
• Meet Bert the Salmon: Say hello to the Puget Sound's “o-fish-all” environmental mascot who has starred in TV and radio public service announcements, attended community festivals and is a prominent feature in many Puget Sound-area school science curriculums.
• Yard Talk Q&A: Greg Rabourn and Doug Rice, the stars of the popular King County TV show, Yard Talk, will be on hand to answer gardening and yard care questions.
• Booths and Exhibits: More than 20 exhibitors representing eco-friendly businesses, community organizations and government groups will provide examples of green products and services. Participating organizations include the Environmental Protection Agency, King County Metro Transit and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

For more information about Earth Day and family fun activities in King County visit the Web site at http://www.dnr.metrokc.gov/dnrp/pa/earthday/, or contact Glynnis Vaughan at 206-296-1980.