Leap for sustainability | Over 900 attend annual community Earth Day event

Where else would you find a bright orange Tesla car and delighted children petting goats while eating pizza? At the Community Center at Mercer View, of course. In honor of Earth Day, organizers said the fourth annual Leap for Green festival on Saturday, April 16, was attended by an estimated 900 people. The event included everything from urban farming information, electric cars, recycled materials for countertops, compost soil, how to “green” your business, You-Powered transportation ideas, solar energy and more.

The festival included many activities for children, including a “passport program.” Kids who visited each booth, and asked a question to learn something new, received a passport “stamp” that earned them a prize.

The main message behind Leap for Green is that the economy, the environment, and equity all matter when it comes to sustainable living. The car you drive, the food you eat, the clothes you buy and every decision you make on a daily basis impacts our world for generations, organizers said. The festival “is an opportunity to meet and network with the people working hard to bring us ‘smarter’ options for how we live our lives on a daily basis,” said Nancy Weil, of Island Vision.

Hosted by the City of Mercer Island and Island Vision, Leap for Green brings the community together to raise awareness and learn about the interconnectedness of sustainable living.

Leap for Green sponsors included the Island’s Green Ribbon Commission and its “22 Ways It’s Easy Being Green” campaign. There was also information on the Chamber of Commerce’s Green Business Program, “farm to table” foods and a Transition Town Initiative. The Mercer Island Farmers Market organizers and vendors also participated.

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.