Monday, April 1, 2013

DEP Celebrates Earth Month With Full Calendar Of Environmental Activities

The Department of Environmental Protection kicked off Earth Month Monday with the launch of its Earth Day Central webpage and the announcement that the agency will display its interactive “DEP at Home” exhibit in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, from April 22-26.
Earth Day on Monday, April 22, is an annual global observance that reminds people to do their part to care for the Earth’s air, land and water.
"This interactive exhibit has significant educational value, and I am delighted we have the opportunity to share it with fellow Commonwealth employees and visitors to the Capitol, especially students,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “I encourage anyone who can to stop by and see it during Earth Week.”
DEP at Home is an interactive, educational exhibit fashioned into a home structure that features practices and products promoting energy efficiency and environmentally beneficial products for the home. It was created through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building is open to visitors weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. DEP’s energy experts will be at the exhibit daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to answer visitors’ questions and share details about the exhibit. All visitors must go through a visitor entrance to gain access to the Capitol.
In addition to visiting the DEP at Home exhibit, the agency encourages all Pennsylvanians to visit the Earth Month page of its website to post events around the state to the virtual calendar and learn about activities that DEP’s regional offices and other organizations are hosting, as well as Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania events.
The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, an annual effort DEP sponsors, is happening now through May 31 to encourage communities and individuals to organize cleanup events throughout the state.
There will also be a free DEP at Home webinar, Watch Your Waste, on April 3, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Award Announcements
During Earth Month, DEP will announce the winners of its new Employee Recognition Awards, the Environmental Education grants and the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
For more information, visit the Earth Day Central webpage.