By Anna Gustafson
The Central Queens Y in Forest Hills will host its first interfaith Earth Day fair April 25, which will showcase a multitude of local environmental groups involved in everything from organic food coops to neighborhood community gardens.
The Green for Queens Community Earth Day Fair will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 67-09 108th St. and is a collaborative effort between the Y, environmental groups, five synagogues and Forest Hills’ Church in the Gardens.
“We are hoping that everyone who comes will connect with specific steps they can take to green their own lives,” said Peggy Kurtz, a spokeswoman for the Central Queens Y. “There truly will be something for everyone. There will be programs and art projects for kids of all ages, from Wildlife Children’s Theater to an upside-down bus that runs on veggie oil. For adults there will be information on green cleaning products, community gardens, green walls, organic food coops, how to green your office and so much more.”
Officials from the Central Queens Y were inspired to host the first fair this year after the group launched its own two-year initiative to make its institution more environmentally friendly, Kurtz said. The Y conducted an energy audit on its building and is in the process of trying to implement the various recommendations, from retrofitting its lighting to installing temperature controls.
“We’re in the middle of an initiative to green our operations and raise awareness in public about what people can do to make their own lives greener, and that’s where the Earth Day fair comes in,” Kurtz said.
There will be about 17 different environmental groups involved in the fair, who will provide residents with information about organic food coops — such as the Community Supported Agriculture programs at the Forest Hills Jewish Center and the Church in the Gardens, neighborhood community gardens, healthy cleaning products, energy conservation, composting in apartments, good biking paths and sustainable food. Individuals will be able to sign up for wind energy provided they bring a Con Edison bill with them.
Kurtz noted individuals may be especially excited about the arrival of the “upside-down carbon neutral bus,” which will make an appearance at the fair.
The bus is part of the Teva Learning Center and the Jewish Climate Change Campaign of Hazon, the largest Jewish environmental organization in the country, and has been making a tour around the United States to advocate for sustainable living. The vehicle is equipped with worm composting and solar panels as well as a system to convert used vegetable oil to fuel.
For more information about the fair, call 718-268-5011, Ext. 151 or send an e-mail to pkurtz@cqyjcc.org.
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e-mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
