Trash to water... The City of San Diego features seven booths at EarthFair 2002

by Nicole Hall, Supervising Public Information Officer,
City of San Diego Environmental Services Department

Curious about alternative fuel, home composting, water conservation or just looking for information on a new park? Then visit the City of San Diego's information booths at Earth Fair 2002, on April 21 in Balboa Park. For the third consecutive year, the City's individual departments have joined together to create a booth section all about City services and what it offers residents. New this year to the City booth area is a demonstration booth that will feature brief discussions and presentations by experts to help visitors understand and use the City's programs and services.

    Located in front of the Mingei Museum and across from the House of Hospitality, the City of San Diego booth area will feature the following departments: Environmental Services, Metropolitan Wastewater, Water, Park and Recreation, and Storm Water Pollution Prevention. Mayor Dick Murphy will also feature a booth in this area.

    Located along the Prado, the Environmental Services Department occupies the first booth. This booth will focus on residential recycling, trash and greenery collection, compost and mulch, energy (both renewable and new energy generation), household hazardous materials and landfill revegetation. Also, the booth will feature a Kid's Corner where kids and adults can get a quick environmental lesson, meet the department's mascot Can Man, get stamped with a removable friendly-earth tattoo, or try their luck at the Environmental Wheel of Fortune and take home an earth stress ball or yo-yo.

    The Environmental Services Department will also feature a trash truck fueled by liquefied natural gas in the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade and another booth, located near the Hall of Champions and the Aero Space Museum, that focuses on the development of the city's only fleet of vehicles operating on liquefied natural gas.

    Metropolitan Wastewater Department will feature tips on keeping San Diego free of sewer spills. Videos will run continuously throughout the day to highlight the City's Grease Education Program, the Volunteer Canyon Watchers Program and the City's new all surface, easy-on-the-environment vehicles which have less impact on San Diego canyons than larger earth moving equipment.

    The Park and Recreation Department will offer information on all parks, pools and recreation facilities by handing out Facilities and Programs Guides that are filled with free and low cost recreational opportunities throughout the City for people of all ages, abilities and income levels. Spokesfish “Gus” and “Goldie” from the Aquatics division will be there to promote water safety awareness for children.

    Water conservation and recycled water staff will be on hand at the Water Department's booth to answer questions about efficient landscape irrigation, beneficial uses of graywater, recycled water and ways to save water everyday. Information about the Residential Water Survey Program, Washing Machine Voucher Program, Toilet Voucher Program and more will also be available. The Water Department will even help visitors quench their thirst at the famous water truck.

    The Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program will also distribute information about ways to reduce and even stop pollution from entering our storm drains and eventually polluting our waterways, oceans and beaches.

    Each booth will feature the program accomplishments that help fulfill Mayor Dick Murphy's ten goals stated in his State of the City Address. The Mayor's booth will highlight environmental issues and projects that will help our City sustain a healthy environment. There will be a brief video presentation showing some of the environmental work the Mayor has done since coming to office. The booth will also feature an area where kids can draw their favorite nature spot in San Diego or write a poem. These creations will be posted on the Mayor's website.

    Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the City and what it has to offer you. For more information call (858) 492-5009.