By Sophie Pappas
Every year, millions of people across the globe acknowledge April 22 as Earth Day and April 25 as Arbor Day. The tradition is to plant a tree, recycle a bottle, or simply pay attention to the new spring air.
Here is how Zionsville is acknowledging these Earth-friendly holidays, and gaining recognition nationally.
Z’GreenFest
The Zion Nature Center is hosting the 8th annual Z’GreenFestfrom 2 to 5 p.m., May 4, at the Nature Center. This event is the town’s Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration. Activities will include learning how to attract birds to your backyard, face painting, crafts, games and fairy houses. Music will be provided by Anderson Beck.
In addition, there will be a native plan giveaway. More than 300 native-Indiana plants will be given to Z’GreenFest attendees.
This event is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the festival will take place inside town hall.
Zionsville: a tree city
The national Arbor Day Foundation named Zionsville a 2013 Tree City. This recognition comes due to the town’s commitment to effective urban forest management. In order to be named a tree city, Zionsville met several requirements, including: having a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, and designating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita.