I attended the first Leap for Green event four years ago thinking it would be a good Saturday activity for my then 3-year-old son and his cousin. Not only did the kids have fun, but the adults enjoyed it and learned new ways to be green. There is something for everyone at Leap for Green. The kids love the Reptile Man, the chickens, music, pizza, making art with recyclable items and visiting each booth to get a stamp for their LFG passport. The event kick-started my passion for sustainable living. We started composting in our yard waste (thanks to Allied Waste), and last year we planted our first vegetable garden. Being green is the new “in” thing to be. Our schools and some preschools are now recycling and composting and planting learning gardens. This spring the King County Green Schools program will recognize the Mercer Island School District as a Green District. Leap for Green got the green ball rolling for Mercer Island, and it continues to have a snowball effect as new green initiatives are being implemented.  I’ve learned how easy it can be to show our children we care about our health, our pocketbooks and our earth with small behavioral  changes like: recycling/composting, buying in bulk, packing lunches with reusable containers and bottles rather than plastic, walking/riding rather than driving, etc. All these little things will have a positive impact on our planet.

Amy Wolff