The conservation slogan "reduce, reuse, recycle" has been in the pop culture lexicon since the 1970s. For Earth Day on Saturday, add "recreation" to the list of ways to promote a sustainable lifestyle. Here are some of the activities happening around the Chattanooga area.
– Chattanooga Earth Day: The city's official observance of Earth Day, meant to activate, educate and celebrate, starts early with volunteer cleanup efforts in several neighborhoods, including the chance to go plogging on Broad and Main streets. (Plogging is jogging while picking up litter.) After the work, catch a movie screening at Heritage House (3:30 or 6:30 p.m.), or head to Miller Park downtown for a free concert by Grateful Dead tribute band Chants in the Void and the Latin jam of La Rumba (6-9 p.m.). See the full schedule and sign up to help at tinyurl.com/citychattearthday.
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– Eco Field Day: GreenSpaces, a nonprofit that exists to promote sustainable living, working and building in Chattanooga, will sponsor this day of fun 9 a.m.-noon Saturday at Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. Registered teams will compete in relay races similar to those played in elementary school, such as three-legged races and tug of war, but with modifications that explore sustainability. When the games are done, go next door to First Horizon Pavilion for the 4 Bridges Arts Festival, an event partner. Learn more at greenspaceschattanooga.org.
– Electric Vehicle Showcase: Drive Electric Scenic City will be among the sponsors set up at Eco Field Day, but will take an extra hour, ending at 1 p.m., to display up to 15 all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars and trucks of various makes and models. EV owners will be on hand to share their experiences and answer questions. Enter at Finley Stadium's south gate on Chestnut Street. Learn more at driveelectricsceniccity.org.
– Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., will celebrate Earth Day from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Families can learn more about environmental issues and solutions through hands-on activities that promote learning through play. Games include a scavenger hunt, planting seedlings and crocheting with plastic garbage bags. All activities are included with regular admission, $17. cdmfun.org
– Rain barrels: Area residents are eligible to receive 50-gallon Ivy rain barrels through the city's Stormwater Resources Division (formerly the Water Quality Program). City residents pay a reduced price, $43, and are limited to two per household. Homeowners outside the city may buy as many as they want for $73 (the retail price for this brand is $193). Rain barrels are used to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff, which decreases potential pollutants from entering streams and waterways. The deadline to order is 11 p.m. Sunday. They'll be ready for pickup April 29. Find out more at tinyurl.com/chattrainbarrel.
– Earth Day plant swap is scheduled 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave. Participants will share native plants, vegetable starts and herbs from their gardens and greenhouses. Invasive plants are not allowed, and plants should be labeled for swapping. The Brainerd Farmers Market, which also sets up at Grace, will be open 10 a.m.-noon. facebook.com/brainerdfarmersmarket
– Southeastern Climbers Coalition has a match of up to $10,000 for donations made to the Woodcock Cove Campaign in April. In an email, coalition officials said significant progress has been made on the project since the milelong sandstone cliff opened last year, "including building more sustainable trails, routes and parking." Every dollar donated in April will be doubled to continue the long-term preservation and stewardship of what climbers describe as a world-class destination. Learn more at seclimbers.org.
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Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.