The future has always been a fascination with people: will cars fly, will robots take over or will cloning become the norm? There is a group of dedicated individuals who ask that people take a look at the environment and how we can take action today to create a better tomorrow.
To help Hoosiers learn how to go green and apply green practices to their every day lives, the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., is hosting the Going Green Fest March 14 and 15.
“The museum wanted to bring together the resources in the city that talk about sustainability issues. We bring together organizations that educate people on how to be more green and sustainable at home as well as businesses being more green,” said Joanna Hahn, manager of school programs for the Indiana State Museum. “We also wanted to use the festival to pass messages on to schools about sustainability.”
The opening day is dedicated to youth and will feature the eco-science fair that features students from around Indiana that are making strides in improving Indiana’s environment. Hahn cites a home school group from South Bend which was able to change the law to allow chickens to be raised in backyards. Cold Spring Elementary School, an environmental magnet school in Indianapolis will also be on hand to show their conservation work.
Visiting schools will be able to interact with their peers and learn how to implement what they’ve learned at their schools and in their homes.
Later that day, others can visit the Eco-Film Festival that features three Indiana-made documentaries that address ecological challenges and sustainability successes.
“Down to Earth,” a Ball State University student-made film, is about a local organic farmer and his family, their challenges and successes. “Farm City: An Indy Food Story” explores numerous initiatives and activists in the urban food community. “Everglades of the North: The Story of the Grand Kankakee Marsh” is the true story of the draining and the “straightening” of the Kankakee River in Northwest Indiana.
“We chose films that were about solutions and positive things that people can do,” said Jim Poyser, executive director of Earth Charter Indiana, the organization presenting the films.
Admission for all three films is $9.50.
During the second day of the Going Green Fest guests of the museum can enjoy activities and games such as Recycle Art, Gallon Game, Garbage Garden, Spinwheel Trivia, and Animalia will have live animals on sight to help educate the public about animal conservation.
Poyser will conduct “It Ain’t Too Late,” a fun game show that will focus on scientific findings behind climate change.
“I throw in answers that are just goofy,” said Poyser. “It’s not about winning a contest, but about having a good time.”
They can also meet members of environmental awareness organizations and businesses from around the state, such as Green B.E.A.N. Delivery, Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and RecycleForce, which will be available to show patrons the latest and simplest ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Hahn said she realizes that in some communities “going green” can appear to be practices that only apply to the rich or non-minorities, however there are many organizations that make “going green” more realistic. The festival’s tag line is “be green, save green” so if anything, she encourages people to come out to learn how to cut costs on their energy bills or educational initiatives that help people learn where they can go to recycle cans of old paint or how to begin a vegetable garden in their back yard.
“I hope people will walk away knowing that we can actually improve our situation or create jobs,” said Poyser.
This is the sixth year of the festival. Admission to the fest is included in museum admission, which is $10 for adults and $5.50 for youth. Individuals who bring recyclable items to the event on Saturday, especially electronic waste, will be offered $2 off general admission up to four people in a group.
Throughout the year, the Indiana State Museum practices what it preaches during the festival by engaging in green initiatives such as a museum-wide recycling program and maintaining various gardens that use indigenous plantlife.
For more information on the Going Green Fest, call (317) 232-1637 or visit indianamuseum.org.
