WNY Earth Day Challenge underway in Erie County

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning announced the first-ever WNY Earth Day Challenge, created by the department and partners to encourage residents to celebrate Earth Day by learning about the environment and taking actions locally. The challenge runs from March 21 through April 30 and features numerous ways for individuals and families to not only learn more about how their activities can help to protect the environment but also participate in environmentally aware programming.

For every Earth Day Challenge activity completed, participants are entered to win prizes, including the grand prize of a Fuji mountain bike donated by Bert's Bike & Fitness (valued at $799). Other prizes include a year-long membership to the Buffalo Museum of Science, a private group expedition at Penn Dixie, a birthday party at Tifft Nature Preserve, and gift cards.

“The WNY Earth Day Challenge is a good way to learn more about what we can all do to protect the environment and also to take part in actions that help us get there. There will be plenty for all to do, so I encourage residents to get involved and celebrate Earth Day in a new way this year,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said.

The WNY Earth Day Challenge is a series of themed activities, actions and events that residents can participate in at various locations around WNY, including at home or school, throughout the month of April.

A press release noted, “From see it, to learn it, fix it, do it, or make it – we’ve got it covered! The actions in the challenge feature the work of environmental programs and nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the environment in WNY.”

The WNY Earth Day Challenge spans Erie County and all of Western New York. To learn more about how to participate, visit www.erie.gov/wnyearthdaychallenge.

Entrants are encouraged to share their Earth Month activities online using #WNYEarthDayChallenge and encourage friends, family or students to get involved, too.

Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Commissioner Dan Castle said, “The challenge has been designed for individuals to learn more about the work that is going on to improve the environment in WNY and take actions to help protect our special place on the planet. However, there are many activities that can be done with a group, such as a block club, Scout troop, church group or classroom.”

The department collaborated closely with numerous partners in the planning of the challenge, including the WNY Environmental Alliance, the WNY Youth Climate Council, the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance, the NAACP Environmental Justice Committee, the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Buffalo State College’s Graduate Student Association, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, the Monarch of Infinite Possibilities, the University at Buffalo Office of Sustainability and the Erie County Environmental Management Council.

For more information, visit https://www2.erie.gov/environment/.