In preparation for Earth Day on April 22, NRPA’s newly formed Green Team has planned a week of exciting activities for the association’s staff to promote better stewardship of our environment. With the overall goal of encouraging staff to take the extra step in terms of conservation, the team has scheduled a variety of voluntary events that will lead to further conservation measures planned for later in the year.
Day 1: Monday, April 21: Zero-Waste Lunch
Earth Week will kick off with a trash-free lunch. Staff members are invited to bring a lunch that produces no waste and socialize while the Green Team highlights plans for the week’s activities. Green Team members will provide tips in advance for how to pack a zero-waste lunch.
Day 2: Tuesday, April 22: Clean-Up at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Two NRPA staff members (Jimmy O’Connor and James Politte) serve on the board of this nature preserve near NRPA’s headquarters, and all staff members are invited to come and help perform maintenance and upkeep on the property. Car pools will be encouraged to limit the number of vehicles driven.
Day 3: Wednesday, April 23: Staff Car Pool Day
To reduce the number of vehicle trips taken during Earth Week, the Green Team will help connect staff members with co-workers who live in the same vicinity for car pools. Staff members will also be encouraged to car pool after Earth Week to continue reducing our impact.
Day 4: Thursday, April 24: NRPA Trail Clean-Up and Tree Planting
NRPA’s staff will hold the second-annual trail clean-up around the pond and walking trails behind the office building. Volunteers will also install 22 new native plantings plus several bluebird houses built and donated by staffer Rich Dolesh.
Day 5: Friday, April 25: Guest Speaker and Zero-Waste Lunch
To wrap up the week, the Green Team has invited Gem Bingol, field officer for the Piedmont Environmental Council, to speak to staff about sustainable landscaping and how we can individually and collectively help the environment. After the presentation, a zero-waste all-staff lunch provided by the Green Team will be served.
In addition to the above events, the Green Team has also made plans for a community garden and wildflower/butterfly garden to be installed at headquarters in the coming months. Team members have also identified a number of ways to be greener in organizational operations, and they have successfully gotten a majority of staff members to voluntarily turn in their trash cans to encourage better recycling practices throughout the year.
Danielle Taylor is the Senior Editor of Parks & Recreation Magazine.