Earth Day (April 22, 2011) Activities

1. Plant a tree

2. Go for a walk, a bike ride,  or a hike - visit Tilton's parks

3. Get together with some friends to pick up trash along a road or river near you

4. Find out where local farmers will be selling their produce this summer

5. Take a reusable bag to the supermarket for your groceries

5. Organize your recycling bin at your home so you can  recycle
 
6. Save April 23 for Tilton's Egg Hunt at Riverfront Park from 9-noon
     For more information, go to http://www.tiltonnh.org/content/documents/park/Easter%20Flyer.pdf

7. Save the date of Saturday, April 30 to go to Discover WILD NH Day at 11 Hazen Drive
     in Concord from 10 to 3 p.m. The event will feature live animals, fish displays,
     retrievers, trained falcons, hands-on activities, archery, and green-living exhibits.
     For more details, click here

7. Make plans to build a rain barrel for summer watering (see below)

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   What's a Rain Barrel?

   A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops for later use watering gardens and flowers. Water
collected in the barrel would normally pour off the roof directly or through a downspout and become storm
water runoff or travel onto paved surfaces.  Instead, the rainwater can be used for watering your lawn, washing
your car, or washing windows. Or, you can keep a rain barrel near a compost pile to keep it moist. Rainwater is
usually "soft" and free of dissolved minerals.

   Using a rain barrel can save approximately 1300 gallons of water during the summer. Saving water means
you also save money and energy because you are not using tap water or electricity for outside watering needs.
A typical half inch rainfall will fill a 55-gallon barrel. Use a window screen on the top to keep out insects and debris.

  Rain barrels can be purchased but it's also possible to make your own. Directions can be found at:

      http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/tools/make-a-rain-barrel-save-water/

      http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/03/how-to-make-a-rain-barrel/

      http://www.epa.gov/region3/p2/make-rainbarrel.pdf
 
      http://stjoseph.iaswcd.org/attachments/How_To_Make_A_Rain_Barrel1.pdf

 

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ENVIROFLASH

     The US EPA and NH Department of Environmental Services have joined together to offer people current updates
on air quality in your area. Because air quality can change from day-to-day (or even hour-to-hour), Enviroflash is a
way to receive email or text updates. You get to choose the type and frequency of service you want.

     Air quality monitors are located all over the United States and are used to calculate the current Air Quality Index
value. State agencies then issue air quality forecasts based on the air quality and current weather conditions to local
radio and television stations. By signing up for email from Enviroflash, you will be notified if air quality reaches
unhealthy levels and you can take precautions.

     To find out more, go to http://www.enviroflash.info/
     To sign up for Enviroflash, go to http://www.enviroflash.info/signup.cfm