By Heather Lusk
Friends of the Zion Nature Center will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day on April 19 with the ninth annual Z’GreenFest to be held at the Zion Nature Center.
“We want people to become aware of their surroundings and see what individuals can do in their own yard and how that impacts the community,” said Elizabeth Mueller, a coordinator of the free event, which will be held from 2 to 5 p.m.
Maintaining Zionsville’s Tree City USA community status is one reason to hold the event, Mueller said, as it’s a requirement by the Arbor Day Foundation. But Mueller hopes that the event will encourage residents to discover their backyard and consider creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat around their home. Visitors can learn more about this at ZGreenfest.
There will also be booths about recycling, raising backyard chickens and beekeeping, plus booths by Boone County REMC and the Zionsville Stormwater Department. Children will receive a ticket at each booth they visit and may exchange their tickets for prizes or face painting. There will also be crafts at several of the booths to encourage kids to learn about nature, and children can learn how to become a Junior Naturalist.
Anderson & Beck, a duo specializing in percussion music for kids, will provide entertainment all afternoon. Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators will once again bring birds of prey, allowing visitors to get up close and watch them in action.
In case of rain, the event will be moved to the town hall.
Friends of the Zion Nature Center have had a busy month, with roughly 440 people attending their fundraiser, NatureFest, on March 7.
Z’GreenFest is financed by Boone County REMC, the Zionsville Parks Department and the Friends of the Zion Nature Center.
