This Friday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m. Maharishi School students are “digging in” and planting 34 trees at school. Students should bring appropriate clothing for working in the dirt and water, gardening gloves if you have them, sunscreen and water.
On Monday, April 16, Emily Swihart of "Trees Forever," and Scott Timm, Fairfield’s Sustainability Coordinator, gave a presentation to our enthusiastic Middle and Upper School Students, and explained how trees impact energy usage. This project is part of Alliant Energy's "Hometown Rewards Program." Alliant is supplying money to plant trees to help with energy efficiency, biodiversity, and carbon off-setting. Maharishi School is very fortunate to be a recipient.
Students in all grades (1 thorugh 12) will form 17 mixed-grade teams. Each team will plant, water and mulch 2 trees.
THIS SUNDAY IS EARTH DAY!
This Sunday, April 22, from 8am to 4:00pm, will be a community wide planting event at Chautauqua Park, followed by a barbecue. This is a great opportunity to volunteer as a family (and get community service hours for high school students)!
Please register in advance and receive a free t-shirt or bandana:
Happy Spring!
During the winter months we have been busy planning a big tree planting project. This will be a collaborative project and the entire community is invited to take part; we are looking for 250+ volunteers over several days!! The Tree Planting initiative serves as the kick off for a series of educational events focused on Global Youth Service Day, the largest service event in the world and celebrates the work that young people are doing to improve communities. And don’t forget, Sunday the 22nd is Earth Day…this is a great way to be involved in a meaningful project by working together with fellow residents to make a difference here in Fairfield. There are volunteer needs leading up to the big tree planting as well as actually digging in the dirt and getting the trees in the ground. Here are some opportunities:
Volunteers should sign up ahead of time for their preferred time slot so that we can plan accordingly. Bring your friends and family and share this email far and wide!
Plan to wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, consider a pair of gloves and bring along some drinking water or snacks.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring shovels. Parking is at the entrance to Chautauqua Park and then walk down to the trail entrance. Map of the planting site to come.
All volunteers will receive a free Dig In, Fairfield t-shirt or bandana.
At the end of Sunday, we will be hosting a picnic dinner in celebration of the tree planting efforts and to kick off the entire Alliant Energy Hometown Rewards Grant and the series of events and educational efforts that will follow.
A Dinner (catered by Hy-Vee, including vegetarian options) and Entertainment (Jefferson County Green Band) will follow from 4:30-8:00.
Dig In, Fairfield Partners: Trees Forever, Alliant Energy Hometown Rewards, City of Fairfield, Iowa State University Extension, Fairfield Volunteer Center, Fairfield Parks and Rec, Fairfield Trails Council, Fairfield Schools, Maharishi School, Singing Cedars School, EcoFairfield
Hometown Reward Program Partners: Alliant Energy, City of Fairfield, Iowa State University Extension, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield Volunteer Center, Fairfield residents
Hometown Reward Program Sponsors: Ideal Energy
Please RSVP with your availability via phone at 641.209.9045 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by April 6. If you are a student contact James at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Warmly,
Molly Reiff
Executive Director
Fairfield Volunteer Center, Inc.
EcoFairfield 2012
Serve. Connect. Inspire.
Because our locals are awesome!