Montgomery County Celebrates Earth Month with Events Throughout April; Activities Culminate at the Fourth Annual Montgomery County GreenFest on May 5

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 29, 2018

To celebrate April as Earth Month, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection is hosting or participating in numerous events focused on the environment. These events offer opportunities for residents and businesses to actively help make the County a greener, cleaner place.

County Executive Ike Leggett and County Council President Hans Riemer will officially proclaim April as Earth Month in Montgomery County with a joint proclamation on April 17. With this action, County officials affirm the importance of protecting the environment, not only during Earth Month, but throughout the year.

“I am proud of the work that Montgomery County does every day to protect and preserve our natural resources and environment,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “I hope everyone will join in the activities that our Department of Environmental Protection has planned for Earth Month. The actions that we take today make a difference for our future generations.”

Montgomery County Sponsored Earth Month Events:

Montgomery County Energy Summit
Wednesday, April 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
Register at MCEnergySummit.org

Recycling Volunteer Program Backyard Composting and Grasscycling Training
Thursday, April 5, 6 to 8 p.m.
Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 6th Floor, Rockville

Backyard Composting Demonstration Workshop and Compost Bin Distribution Event
Friday, April 6, 4 to 7 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center,
5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Volunteer Watershed Clean-ups
Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meet at E. Light Drive and Oakview Drive, Silver Spring
RSVP by emailing [email protected]

Organic Lawn Care at the Silver Spring Farmers Market
Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DEP will be at the Urban Master Gardeners Table to answer questions and provide information about Organic Lawn Care—be sure to stop by just in time for mowing season to start! Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street, Silver Spring

Storm Drain Art Painting in Wheaton
Sunday, April 7, 21 and 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Locations in Wheaton vary.
RSVP by emailing [email protected]

Confidential Paper Shredding/Recycling and Clothing/Household Items Reuse Collection Event
(Montgomery County residents only)
Sunday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
John F. Kennedy High School, 1901 Randolph Rd, Silver Spring

Screening of the documentary film Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste followed by discussion and Q&A with local food waste experts
Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.
Ticket Price: $7
In partnership with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital and Bethesda Green
Landmark Theaters
Bethesda Row, 7235 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda
Buy tickets at: http://bit.ly/wastedfilm    

Learn about the Frogs and Toads of Montgomery County
Thursday, April 19 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville
RSVP by emailing [email protected] 

Volunteer Watershed Clean-ups
Sunday, April 22, Time TBD
Meet at Edgewood Neighborhood Park, 13900 Robey Road, Silver Spring
RSVP by emailing [email protected] 

RainScapes: Make and Take a Rain Barrel Workshop
Wednesday, April 25, 4 to 7 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring
Register online

RainScapes: Make and Take a Rain Barrel Workshop
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dayspring Silent Retreat Center, 11301 Neelsville Church Rd., Germantown
Register online

RainScapes: Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens
Wednesday, May 2, 4 to 7 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring
Register online

RainScapes: Conservation Landscapes and Rain Gardens
Friday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring
Register online

Earth Month will close with the 4th Annual Montgomery County GreenFest. This event will take place on Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jesup Blair Local Park located at 900 Jesup Blair Drive in Silver Spring. GreenFest is the County’s premier environmental festival and combines entertainment, exhibitors, films, food, and workshops to provide a day of fun for the whole family. The festival is free and open to the public. For more details on GreenFest, visit montgomerycountygreenfest.org.  

For details or registration information about Earth Month events, visit mygreenmontgomery.org/earth-month.  The Earth Month website also has details about non-County sponsored Earth Month events, including volunteer events.

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Release ID: 18-493
Media Contact: Judy Stiles Judy Stiles