PORT TOWNSEND — Chris Holloway of Sequim had a message for people stopping by his booth to see what he was mixing up in a blender — DO try this at home.
“I’m a citizen-activist enlightening people about how they can make biodiesel at home out of recycled waste vegetable oil,” Holloway said.
“You can put it in any diesel engine — it doesn’t have to be modified at all.”
Holloway was one of the people who brought their environment-friendly ideas to Memorial Field downtown for the second annual EarthDay EveryDay! celebration.
Focusing on ways people can reduce, recycle and reuse, the event emphasized education over commercialism.
“There’s no selling,” said Ann Raab, EarthDay EveryDay! co-founder.
“It’s about community building and networking.”
Next to Holloway’s booth, kids were lining up to get fitted with free bicycle helmets provided by the Port Townsend Bicycle Association.
For long trips, Leigh Kennel of Jefferson Transit showed people how easy it is use the bike racks on local buses.
Lee Miller was a moveable exhibit, riding his bicycle pulling an aluminum-frame trailer behind it loaded with bins of compost and a straw bale.
“I sold my car and do all my in-town shopping with it,” Miller said. “I haul buckets of compost to my garden and bring produce home.
“It’s got 250 to 300 pounds in it now.”
Earth ball, Hula Hoops
Rolling a giant cloth Earth ball around the field was popular with kids, as were spinning Hula Hoops.
The 4-H Rocket Club drew a crowd when members shot off a rocket called the Decaffeinator made of recycled Styrofoam coffee cups.
Habitat for Humanity offered wooden houses to paint, Neighborhood Harvest had peas to plant and WSU Extension Water Watchers brought their three-dimensional, hands-on wooden diorama of the Olympic Peninsula watershed with moveable fish and people.
“He’s having a great time with it,” said Jennifer Cahalan, watching her 19-month-old son, Connor Ham, play with the figures.
“He’s getting pretty much into everything.”
A highlight of the festival was the presentation of the first Eleanor Stopps Environmental Leadership Award to Katherine Baril, Jefferson County WSU Extension agent.
“Katherine is a remarkable environmental leader who for 20 years has sought the edge of public policy regarding water issues and sustainability,” said Tami Pokorny, who originated the award.
“Under her leadership, more than 600 volunteers are working on behalf of environmental stewardship in Jefferson County.”
Stopps also presented certificates of appreciation to architect Chris Stafford, Olympic Hostel manager Chris Overman and Carla Meyer of Jefferson Transit for environmental leadership.
