Green Week Features “The Garden” Film, Environmental Awards

[Howard Hartman]

City of Gaithersburg Press Release
For Immediate Release          March 28, 2012

Green Week Features “The Garden” Film,
Environmental Awards and Bohrer Park Tree Planting

Gaithersburg, MD. (March 28, 2012) The City of Gaithersburg invites you to participate in activities that celebrate and improve the environment during Gaithersburg Green Week, April 14 – 21, 2012. In addition to being fun and educational, it is also a great way for students to earn service learning credits while making our community a better place to live. This year’s Green Week features a unique tree planting effort at Bohrer Park and a special screening of The Garden, a documentary that follows the struggle between the country’s largest community garden and a powerful land developer.

Community Green Up Day
Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to Noon
Join hundreds of volunteers as they make a difference throughout the community by cleaning up and beautifying local streams, schools, parks, and homeowner association common areas during Community Green Up Day. The City is looking for volunteers for this event. Students can also earn student service learning credits.

Environmental Awards Ceremony
Monday, April 16, 6:15 p.m., City Hall Gallery, 31 S. Summit Ave.
Sponsored by Gaithersburg’s Environmental Affairs Committee, the 11th Annual Environmental Awards recognize individuals, businesses, schools, homeowner’s associations, nonprofits, and scouting groups for their commitment to the environment.

Green Week and Arbor Day Proclamation
Monday, April 16, 7:30 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 31 S. Summit Ave.
With official proclamations, the Mayor and City Council will designate April 14 – 21 as “Gaithersburg Green Week” and Thursday, April 19, 2012, as “Arbor Day” in the City of Gaithersburg.

Environmental Film Night
Tuesday, April 17, 7 p.m. at Kentlands Stadium 10 Theaters, 629 Center Point Way, Kentlands
Presented by the City of Gaithersburg Environmental Affairs Committee
Join us for a special FREE screening of the film “The Garden,” a feature documentary that tells the story of the country’s largest community garden and urban farm, backroom deals, land developers, green politics, money, poverty, power, and racial discord. The film explores and exposes the fault lines in American society and raises crucial and challenging questions about liberty, equality, and justice for the poorest and most vulnerable among us.

Admission is free but seating is limited and registration is encouraged. Please contact Gaithersburg Environmental Services at 301-258-6330.

Green Youth Service Project
Wednesday, April 18
Green volunteer activities go hand-in-hand with the environmentally-friendly characteristics of the Youth Center at Robertson Park and the Youth Center in Olde Towne. The Gaithersburg Youth Club (GYC) is a program designed specifically for middle school students to provide safe, well-supervised and fun activities for participants during their off-school hours. GYC students will earn student service learning hours by participating in community clean-up efforts.

Arbor Day Celebration
Thursday, April 19
Children at a local elementary school will participate in an Arbor Day program on Thursday, April 19, emphasizing the importance of trees in our community. During the assembly, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will present the City with its 23rd annual Tree City Award and the Mayor will donate a tree to the school.

Make a Difference Day
Friday, April 20
Use less! Do more! Check the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/environment for suggestions on how you can improve the environment in your daily life and in our community.

Bohrer Park Tree Planting
Saturday, April 21
Residents of Asbury Methodist Village and members of the City’s High School Student Union will join together to plant more than 35 trees at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm as part of the Beloved Community project, an outreach and collaboration effort between Asbury, the City of Gaithersburg, and other community organizations. The tree plantings are part of an afforestation effort.

If you or your organization would like more information about participating in Green Week, contact the Office of Environmental Services at 301-258-6330 or e-mail environment@gaithersburg.gov.