Housing Authority hosts Earth Day celebration
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Earth Day 2015 received a big welcome at the Presque Isle Housing Authority when more than 50 people gathered at the Birch Street Community Center April 22, 2015 to celebrate the environment and nature.
The idea for the event sprang up with a book collection featuring books about ecology and the environment. The books were obtained with a grant from TD Bank through the First Book Organization. The original idea was to have someone read a few environment-themed books to children who are served by the Housing Authority’s programs, but it sprouted into a much larger event.
“As we got into the planning stages, we decided to expand the idea and partner with other groups,” said Jennifer Trombley, executive director of the Presque Isle Housing Authority.
She added that it was convenient that Earth Day takes place during school vacation week as the Kurioucity Learning Center, the Maine Forest Service and the Lil’ Pickers 4-H Group were incorporated into the event.
Amanda Barker of the Maine Forest Service and her guest, Smokey the Bear (played by a secret Housing Authority employee) were a big hit reading a couple of books about forests and the environment. The kids were excited that the forest ranger had a book about Smokey the Bear and learned about how forest fires can be prevented. All the children who attended were able to pick out books to take home. They chose anything from forest adventures to books about trees, ecology, vernal pools and gardening.
Christa Galipeau and the Lil’ Pickers 4-H group teamed up with the PIHA and provided a lesson on using soil and diapers as potting material. She also took a group out into the adjacent field to take measurements for the community garden that will be located in a field near Birch Street later this spring. They also lead an effort to pick up trash in the area.
The 4-H group was excited to get out on the land and is looking forward to getting the ground tilled. “We are very excited to start this community garden and public interest has really increased,” Galipeau said. “We now have 18 garden spots signed up for and more are available.”
The 4-H Group has obtained grants for fencing and other start-up supplies for the community garden. Plots are available for $20 per year, to individuals who don’t have a place to grow vegetables and would like to grow food. To sign up for a garden spot, contact Galipeau at galipeauchrista@gmail.com or call 764-0998.
A nature-themed craft activity was sponsored by Kurioucity Learning Center, which is housed at the community center. Children were able to make pine cone birdfeeders or cardboard caterpillars out of recycled materials, to get into the spring spirit. More than 13 kids from the childcare center were able to participate in all the events as well as 37 residents.
“The kids really enjoyed the event and got excited about Smokey the Bear and the books,” said Marci Page of Kurioucity Learning Center.
Alivia Smart and Alyssa Smart, two children in attendance, said they enjoyed the activity tables and had a lot of fun creating our own caterpillars.
“I really liked making my own birdfeeder,” said Alyssa Smart.
The PIHA had each child plant a flower to take home to watch it grow. Participants were also able to learn about frog habitats from Katelyn Amero as she made a display about different species of frogs and brought all the information she has on the subject. Her mother is a PIHA employee and offered her knowledge as an environmental lesson on frog ponds.
The event wound down with a pizza party for lunch.
The PIHA plans to continue this type of event throughout the summer in order to provide learning opportunities for children in the neighborhood.
“Books are a great way to connect kids to the community, there are so many great resources in our area that we are looking forward to building new relationships,” said Trombley.
Plans are underway for a music-themed event and a healthy eating workshop, she said.
