The PEA Pod, April 2008

From the Executive Director

Many of you know this story, but I think it bears repeating. Back in 2004, four whole years ago, I was living in Pilot Mountain with my then 6 and 3 year-old daughters. Having emigrated from Wilmington two years prior (via Sparta, but we needn’t go into that diversion), I was accustomed to spending Earth Day at a free community celebration in the park. I had enjoyed the music, food, vendors, and educational exhibits at such celebrations each of the four years of my sojourn there. But, I was unable to find a nearby event celebrating the Earth on its globally recognized holiday. There was one in Durham and one in Statesville, but as far as I could find, nothing in between.

So I began talking with my friends at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Winston-Salem about having an Earth Day celebration there. The next year, the Fellowship celebrated Earth Day by planting bluebird houses around the property. It was a fun, family activity that has had the lasting benefit of inviting bluebird families to nest there. But, I was looking for something more. I envisioned a community-wide celebration like the ones I had enjoyed in Wilmington.

One of the central tenants of the UU faith tradition is respect for the independent web of all creation of which we are all a part; thus, hosting such an event seemed like a natural fit. So a few of us began doing the work, the Fellowship gave us some seed money, and a year later the first annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair was held. We had a core team of, maybe, five people working on the Fair, but nonprofit organizations, the few green-oriented businesses around, and some local governmental agencies and departments readily agreed to participate, and some even gave us money. Almost 500 people attended that first Fair held, auspiciously, on Earth Day itself in 2006. Of those 500, at least 499 enjoyed themselves and learned something about how to care for our planet. I am still amazed that we pulled it off, with no experience, little money, and a few volunteers. As that famous Unitarian Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.” Okay, so we didn’t change the world, but we were onto something.

As with most successful ventures, they grow. We are now Piedmont Environmental Alliance, a growing, grassroots nonprofit organization with a mission to educate the world, I mean the Triad, about sustainable practices. We now have a team of almost 30 volunteers organizing the Fair. On the day before and day of the Fair, we will benefit from the efforts of more than 100 more volunteers. We have raised well over $20,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorships and donations. And the Fair itself? Well, read on to find out about the incredible plans for the best and biggest Fair yet.

As I said, I don’t know that we have changed the world, and I still haven’t met Al Gore, but perhaps the work we are doing is changing our little corner of it, one Fair at a time.

Terri E. LeGrand
Executive Director

Celebrate Earth Day Locally

Piedmont Environmental Alliance is proud to present the third annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair on Saturday April 19, 2008. The Fair will be held at 4055 Robinhood Road in Winston-Salem from 10 am until 5 pm. This free fair will provide educational opportunities for the community from over seventy-five booths, which will feature a wide range of environmental topics, sustainable solutions, and local initiatives. There will be activities for children, entertainment and special presentations all day, food & beverage, eco-gifts for sale, and more. The event will be held rain or shine.

Last year’s Fair drew an estimated crowd of 2,000 and attendance is expected to increase significantly this year. The Fair is an opportunity for adults, children and families to have fun while engaging in educational activities. We hope to inform the Triad Community how to make sustainable choices – choices that have a positive impact on the Earth.

Eco-Kids Program offers Stewardship Bracelets

Kids are natural environmentalists. New to the 2008 Fair are Stewardship Bracelets. As children visit each of eight different stations and learn ways they can help heal the Earth, they will be awarded a colored stewardship strip. They will combine these strips to create their own Stewardship Bracelet, which can serve as a reminder long after Earth Day of how, when, and why they need to help protect the planet. Eco-Kids environmental stations have been designed to allow children to explore, experience, and ask questions. Engaging and fun interactive activities will teach kids how to take care of the world they inhabit. View a list of Eco-Kids activities.

A Variety of Speakers to Present at the Fair

The 2008 Piedmont Earth Day Fair will feature fourteen different 30-minute Eco-Talks on a wide variety of environmental topics, including composting, recycling, green building, air quality and more. Drop by at 2 pm to see a fashion show featuring environmentally responsible clothing and accessories. The Eco-Talks will be held in an indoor, air-conditioned theater setting. View the Eco-Talks schedule.

Local Chefs to Sample at the Fair

All of the food and beverage sold and sampled at the Fair will be all-natural, organic when possible, and delicious. Our Eco-foods area will educate the public about why it’s important to buy all-natural food and support our local farmers. New for 2008, five of our area’s popular chefs will cook and sample all natural selections. View the Eco-Foods local chef tastings schedule.

Nationally Known Celebrities to Speak & Perform

The main stage will feature local talent and special presentations throughout the day under a shaded tent, including best selling author Wanda Urbanska of PBS TV’s Simple Living at 10:30 a.m., Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines at noon, and renowned local singer Martha Bassett from 3-5 p.m. View complete list of Main Stage entertainment.

Fair Seeks Zero-Waste

As with all events, it is important to consider the environmental impact of putting on a Fair of this magnitude. Steps are being taken to ensure that the Fair is "green" and that we come as close to zero-waste as possible. View the Environmental Plan.

Support the Fair by Shopping at Whole Foods April 8th

PEA receives 5% of all sales in the Winston-Salem store on April 8th. Save your shopping for that day, eat a meal or two at Whole Foods, stock up on staples, and purchase a gift or two. Help support us.

Shop at Borders, You Save and We Benefit

Use the special PEA coupon in the Greensboro or Winston-Salem Borders stores to save 10% on all your purchases during the weekend of April 12-13, 2008. Another 10% goes to PEA to support the 3rd Annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair. Click here to print the coupon.