Mayor Jones to Unveil City's Sustainability Plan
Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Rain Barrel project to be showcased during season opener of 17th Street Farmer’s Market
WHO: Dwight C. Jones, Mayor
Alicia Zatcoff, Sustainability Manager
George Bolos, 17th Street Farmers’ Market Marketing Manager
WHAT: Release of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan
Showcase of the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Project
Official Season Opening of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: 17th Street Farmer’s Market
100 N 17th Street
Richmond, VA
Please join Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. for the season opener of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market and the unveiling of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan. Artwork from the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” project will also be showcased at the market as part of the season opener.
BACKGROUND:
RVAGreen Sustainability Plan:
The Sustainability Plan is part of Mayor Jones’ Green Richmond Initiative, created to support the City’s sustainability goals. These goals are to improve the quality of life for residents, create a healthy environment and enhance economic opportunity in the city of Richmond. The five focus areas of the plan are economic development, energy, environment, open space and land use, and transportation.
The City enlisted many groups and stakeholders in the development of the plan and hosted two community-wide workshops to gain input and insight into the implementation of the plan.
Copies of the plan will be issued to media at this event and the Mayor will provide a summary of the recommendations of the plan.
Build a Barrel – Save the Bay:
The city’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Stormwater Division partnered with Richmond Public Schools to educate students about storm water pollution. The Build a Barrel – Save the Bay project was targeted to elementary school students to provide each science classroom a rain barrel to construct and decorate. The Virginia Partnership for Meaningful Watershed Education awarded a grant to purchase the rain barrels and rain barrel kits for all 5th grade elementary school classes and for an additional 9 middle schools.
The Build a Barrel – Save the Bay Rain Barrel Project was a teaching tool for several areas of instruction. The rain barrel project was the beginning of science lessons on water conservation, watersheds, the impact of pollution and current laws and regulation on storm water runoff. Volunteers will judge the decorated rain barrels and the top six will be announced on Saturday, April 24, 2012 at the Science Museum of Virginia.
17th Street Farmers’ Market:
The market will open for another exciting season filled with festivals, special events, and of course – fresh vegetables, meats, and baked goods! The 17th Street Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – now until November. For more information on the market, visit www.RichmondGov.com/farmersmarket.
