Learn how you can reduce your ‘carbon footprint’ at King County’s Earth Day Expo

April 20 event at Westlake Plaza features advice, information on ‘green living’

Come to King County’s fourth-annual Earth Day Expo, this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle, and learn how small changes in everyday habits can make a big difference for the planet by reducing your “carbon footprint.”

King County staff and Bert the Salmon interact with children at a previous Earth Day Expo.

Activities and educational opportunities for both children and adults will be available at this free event. King County Executive Ron Sims will be on hand to talk about what the county is doing to address global warming, while Tom Watson, King County’s Eco Consumer, will provide helpful tips on making environmentally smart purchases.

Bert the Salmon, King County’s environmental mascot will be there, along with more than two dozen educational booths that showcase environmentally friendly programs, services and products provided by local businesses, community organizations and government groups.

Earth Day Expo activities are intended to give people to tools to reduce their “carbon footprint,” which is a measurement of the impact that their activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced.

Scheduled activities include:

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson: Tom will give advice on making environmentally smart purchases, recycling and other helpful tips.

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Children’s activity corner: Kids 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
King County Executive Ron Sims – Executive Sims will make an announcement about a new county effort to address global warming.

Ongoing activities:
Tour a veggie-powered bus: Visitors can tour one of the King County Metro Transit buses that runs 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 two dozen 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.