[Olympic Valley, Calif.] March 22, 2012 - The 2012 Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival is slated for Saturday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Village at Palisades Tahoe. This all-ages, community sponsored event gives participants an opportunity to learn about recycling and composting, alternative energy, sustainability, watershed and forest health, and reducing ecological footprints via a diverse array of agency representatives and earth-friendly vendors. It is the largest eco-event in the North Lake Tahoe / Truckee area.

Earth Day is a Zero Waste event. Typical trash receptacles will not be available in effort to drastically minimize waste at the event. Booth participants are requested to minimize handouts and implement other forms of waste reduction. All food vendors will be using biodegradable take-out containers made of either paper or PLA, a high tech starch-based plastic provided by Tahoe Green Products. Food and biodegradable waste will be collected by volunteers and IVGID Waste Not and composted by Full Circle Compost in Minden, Nevada.

This year’s theme is ‘Do One Thing’. All participants are asked to consider and implement their pledge or DOT to help the environment and cool the climate. Another way you can help support the Tahoe Truckee Earthday Foundation and its effort to produce this amazing annual event is to purchase raffle tickets. This year holds some extra special prizes!

New this year: Dr. Wildnerness
The Dr. Wilderness Show has been dazzling elementary children and adults for over ten years. This exciting, magical performance captivates children with its music and dancing, stage tricks, mystery and electronic puppetry. The show is entertaining and fun, but it also carries a powerful message about contemporary environmental issues. After all, our Earth and its resources are magic...a magic we do not want to disappear.

This blend of learning and laughter covers a broad range of topics—planet Earth, air, water, trees and forests, biodiversity, endangered and threatened wildlife, recycling and energy conservation. Or, as Dr. Wilderness calls it, “Natural Resourcery”.

Great Live Music
Continuing the excellent tradition of great music at Earth Day, this year will feature Ten Mile Tide; a San Francisco-based acoustic rock band, whose sound blends touches of folk, pop, bluegrass, and groove. The Earthday music line up also includes Drop Theory with special guests, Ben Fuller and Jeff Jones. Visit www.tahoetruckeeearthday.org.

Envirolution Trashion Show
Back by popular demand to the festivities this year is the Envirolution Trashion Show. The Truckee High School Envirolution Club “Trashion” show is a recycling fashion show of artsy outfits (made by the students themselves) that are created out of materials that do not biodegrade easily. Each outfit has a commentary piece that is funny and educational, sending a message of positive action; everyone can consciously work at reducing, reusing, and recycling – and the time to start is now! The youth involved provide specific actions that reduce energy use and waste at school sites, homes and businesses by involving more students in making a positive difference. The Envirolution Club is advised by SWEP (Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships) and the Trashion Show is sponsored by the Town of Truckee.

FREE Community Recycling Event
Regional residents and event goers may drop off old electronic equipment, waste tires and household batteries free of charge. The collection event will occur in the Village Parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A complete list of items accepted is available at www.tahoetruckeeearthday.org.  Absolutely no hazardous waste including items such as paint or fluorescent light bulbs will be accepted. There is a limit of nine waste tires per person; no oversized or tractor tires will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recycling opportunity, please contact Nichole Dorr at the Town of Truckee (530) 582-2909 or ndorr@townoftruckee.com.

Children’s Activity Area
Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) will be hosting the children’s area at Earth Day this year.  Bring your kids and participate in a multitude of fun, hands-on activities that explore alternative energy, watershed health, sustainability, recycled art and more.

SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
The Earth Day festivities officially kick off on Tuesday, April 19 with the return of the SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The Film Festival, with different films scheduled for each night will be held at the Olympic Village Lodge starting at 7 p.m. This series of relevant, thought-provoking and often humorous films and shorts is not to be missed! Get your tickets early. Tickets are $10 in advance and at the door and are on sale now at New Moon in Truckee and Tahoe City. Seating is limited.

Do Your Part. Ride TART
TART will be offering free transportation to and from the event from North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Truckee.

Call for Volunteers!
This event could not take place without hundreds of volunteer hours. Earth Day is seeking volunteers for the day of the event. If you would like to volunteer, email elizmcampbell@gmail.com.

Your Support Is Encouraged
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day needs your support. To participate, donate or if you are interested in joining our Committee, please visit www.TahoeTruckeeEarthDay.org or contact info@tahoetruckeeearthday.org.