Earth Day Fair 2021 Was a Huge Success!
A Message from the President
PACG's Environmental Forum organized and presented the Earth Day Fair at the Freight House Farmer's Market on Saturday, May 22nd. It was evident that a lot of work went into making this event a success. Read the After Action Report from the Forum in this WEU, with more details about the incredible day. The linked Facebook post has almost 50 pictures of all of the activity. Thank you to the Freight House for providing the space for this delightful gathering!
In the meantime, I want to highlight one of the most impressive vendors at the fair - Nicolina's Turtle Company!
It was started by Nicolina when she was 8 years old! She was alarmed when she learned about the harmful environmental effects of plastic, and knew that she wanted to do something to make a difference.
One day she noticed her big sister - who was using a stainless steel straw in an effort to cut down on her own plastic footprint - put her straw directly into her backpack. It occurred to Nicolina that it would be a lot more sanitary if the straw could be put in some sort of a bag or container to keep it cleaner. She took sewing lessons and then asked her to mother help her design lined pouches. Nicolina's Straw Pouches were born!
Pouches can be purchased for $10. This includes one stainless steel straw. An extra $3 buys a small brush that can be used to thoroughly clean inside the straws. Each pouch is large enough to carry several stainless steel straws and the brush securely. The fabrics are bright and fun, and the pouches are closed with colorful snaps. Nicolina and her mother have enlisted community volunteers to help make pouches.
But, with the pouches, Nicolina was just getting started on her environmental journey! Merely creating Nicolina's Turtle Company, the pouches, a website and donating to local environmental groups, were not enough projects for her! She decided to approach schools and restaurants to ask them to stop using plastic straws. Restaurants now only offer straws when customers ask for them, and her school has stopped using plastic straws completely!
Nicolina is also working with the QC Straw Free Initiative, sponsored by the Quad City Earth Coalition, to spread this concept across the Quad Cities.
Read more about this amazing young person at her website: https://nicolinasturtleco.com.
By the way, these items are available from Nicolina's website. I bought a bunch of them! They will make stocking stuffers or other gifts for my own (adult) children.
If you wish to purchase larger quantities of stainless steel straws so that you can reduce your plastic footprint, they are available locally at many stores.
If you sew and have scraps of material lying around, consider helping in these efforts. You may also want to make a donation to help her save the environment from plastic and fund local environmental education.
I was touched to see the impact that these children are having on our Quad Cities community. What can you do to help the Earth?
Allison Ambrose
PACG's Environmental Forum organized and presented the Earth Day Fair at the Freight House Farmer's Market on Saturday, May 22nd. It was evident that a lot of work went into making this event a success. Read the After Action Report from the Forum in this WEU, with more details about the incredible day. The linked Facebook post has almost 50 pictures of all of the activity. Thank you to the Freight House for providing the space for this delightful gathering!
In the meantime, I want to highlight one of the most impressive vendors at the fair - Nicolina's Turtle Company!
It was started by Nicolina when she was 8 years old! She was alarmed when she learned about the harmful environmental effects of plastic, and knew that she wanted to do something to make a difference.
One day she noticed her big sister - who was using a stainless steel straw in an effort to cut down on her own plastic footprint - put her straw directly into her backpack. It occurred to Nicolina that it would be a lot more sanitary if the straw could be put in some sort of a bag or container to keep it cleaner. She took sewing lessons and then asked her to mother help her design lined pouches. Nicolina's Straw Pouches were born!
Pouches can be purchased for $10. This includes one stainless steel straw. An extra $3 buys a small brush that can be used to thoroughly clean inside the straws. Each pouch is large enough to carry several stainless steel straws and the brush securely. The fabrics are bright and fun, and the pouches are closed with colorful snaps. Nicolina and her mother have enlisted community volunteers to help make pouches.
But, with the pouches, Nicolina was just getting started on her environmental journey! Merely creating Nicolina's Turtle Company, the pouches, a website and donating to local environmental groups, were not enough projects for her! She decided to approach schools and restaurants to ask them to stop using plastic straws. Restaurants now only offer straws when customers ask for them, and her school has stopped using plastic straws completely!
Nicolina is also working with the QC Straw Free Initiative, sponsored by the Quad City Earth Coalition, to spread this concept across the Quad Cities.
Read more about this amazing young person at her website: https://nicolinasturtleco.com.
By the way, these items are available from Nicolina's website. I bought a bunch of them! They will make stocking stuffers or other gifts for my own (adult) children.
If you wish to purchase larger quantities of stainless steel straws so that you can reduce your plastic footprint, they are available locally at many stores.
If you sew and have scraps of material lying around, consider helping in these efforts. You may also want to make a donation to help her save the environment from plastic and fund local environmental education.
I was touched to see the impact that these children are having on our Quad Cities community. What can you do to help the Earth?
Allison Ambrose
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