MEDIA CONTACTS
Heirloom Interactive on behalf of Discovery Green
Shannon Waiter / shannon@heirloominteractive.com / 832-289-1453
Meghan Bentley/ meghan@heirloominteractive.com / 713-824-1428
Public Information Officer Houston Public Works
Erin Jones / erin.jones@houstontx.gov / 832-395-2530
Green Mountain Energy
Jeanie Davey / Jeanie.davey@greenmountain.com / 713-537-5735
Discovery Green® Partners with Citizens Environmental Coalition and Houston Public Works for the Ultimate Green Mountain Energy Earth Day Festivities
HOUSTON — Discovery Green Conservancy®, in partnership with Citizens Environmental Coalition is proud to announce this year’s Green Mountain Energy Earth Day, combined with the popular Houston Public Works’ Water Works Festival. The free event will take place on Saturday, April 22, from 12 – 5 p.m. and feature live music, performances, interactive exhibits, and more.
Since the park opened in 2008, Discovery Green has committed to the highest standards of sustainability in its design and operations. Green Mountain Energy is Discovery Green’s official green energy provider, powering the park with 100 percent renewable energy. Customers of Green Mountain Energy have collectively helped avoid 100 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and the impact is the equivalent of planting more than 12 million new trees. Discovery Green is LEED certified at the Gold Level by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBCC).
This year’s Green Mountain Energy Earth Day is themed around one of the most vital natural resources, water. It features the popular Houston Public Works Water Works Festival with the goal of highlighting one of the central environmental issues that affects all Houstonians. The proper care and management of Houston’s water is vital for the city’s future.
The Water Works Festival will bring its interactive exhibits to educate families about water as an essential resource. Houstonians can expect family-friendly performances, live music, crafts, and activities. The event will also feature a bike valet service and an electric vehicle petting zoo with the world’s first electric vehicle, the Mars Rover. Visitors will enjoy a Magpies and Peacocks fashion exhibit made from Trash Recycled materials, Mad Science demonstrations, photo opportunities, and chalk painting. Other speakers include environmental justice activist, Hilton Kelley and Space City Weather journalist, Eric Berger. Lacy Johnson, co-editor of More City than Water, and other writers will be on site collecting flood, storm and water stories from Houstonians. Food trucks will be on-site selling food and drink.
“Green Mountain Energy celebrates Earth Day every day, but April provides an especially great opportunity to raise awareness for taking care of our planet,” said Mark Parsons, Green Mountain Energy vice president. “Joining forces with Discovery Green for this tradition of family fun allows us to continue our sustainability work in the community and reinforce our commitment to providing 100% renewable energy to power the park.”
This free event will be zero-waste, and patrons are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles and utensils; exhibitors will ensure waste is minimized by only providing reusable or compostable items.
ABOUT GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY COMPANY
Green Mountain Energy Company is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun, and water for good. The company was founded in 1997 with a simple mission: to change the way power is made. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products generated from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 100 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy, visit greenmountainenergy.com.
ABOUT CITIZENS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION
Since 1971, CEC has been connecting people with each other and with hundreds of organizations doing environmental work and advocacy in the Houston / Gulf Coast region. CEC shares, supports, and enhances their efforts and environmental advocacy. CEC fosters and strengthens this community through publications that give a balanced perspective on environmental issues and through events that enhance understanding, including the Wild About Houston Green Film Festival and Earth Day Houston. cechouston.org
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS
Houston Public Works (www.HoustonPublicWorks.org) is the largest and most diverse public works organization in the country, responsible for creating a strong foundation for Houston to thrive. Houston Public Works is responsible for streets and drainage, production and distribution of water, collection, and treatment of wastewater, and permitting and regulation of public and private construction covering a 671-square mile service area. Houston Public Works is accredited by the American Public Works Association. Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @HouPublicWorks
ABOUT DISCOVERY GREEN
Discovery Green is a highly acclaimed 12-acre park created by a public-private partnership between the City of Houston and the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy in downtown Houston, Texas. Since opening in April 2008, the park has welcomed more than 20 million visitors. Discovery Green features sprawling lawns, a one-acre lake, an interactive fountain, a playground, public art installations, gardens and an allée of century-old live oaks. The Discovery Green Conservancy works with hundreds of programming partners to present artistic, musical, educational, family-friendly and health-focused events each year, most of which are presented free to the public. The park also features two on-site restaurants, the award-winning destination restaurant The Grove and the fast-casual The Lake House, providing visitors with an array of dining options. As a nonprofit organization, the Conservancy raises all the funds needed for the programming that Houstonians enjoy. For more information, please visit www.discoverygreen.com.
