Dora, NASA teach kids, adults at today's 'Green' fest

YOUNGSTOWN — If you wish to do more on behalf of the environment, it’s not necessary to dig deep into your wallet.

Being more aware of the consequences of every-day choices and habits goes a long way toward that goal.

That was a main theme streaming through Saturday’s first Grey to Green Festival at Wick Park on the city’s North Side.

“Don’t worry so much about that dandelion,” and mow the lawn more, especially in the spring and early summer, advised Holly Burnett-Hanley, project coordinator of the Mahoning River Educational Project.

Burnett-Hanley explained that birds can ingest lawn pesticides they get on their talons and fur, and that the effects of such pesticides become magnified as they move up the food chain.

Rebecca Andes with the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District explained how home and lawn contaminants can affect ground water. She demonstrated how a leaky septic system can cause pollutants to seep into the water table and how some lawn chemicals just run off into sewers and end up in streams and lakes after a rain. They also can kill worms and grubs that make holes to filtrate the soil, she noted, adding that people can buy environmentally friendly products.

Trees, on the other hand, produce oxygen, which offsets the effects of carbon dioxide, a major component of global warming, anothe speaker pointed out.

Many youngsters enjoyed making art projects with recycled crayons, tissue paper and other products, and were treated to readings by the popular TV character Dora the Explorer. The also got to see movies aboard a NASA Aerobos that came from Cleveland.

For all the details of today's event, plus photos, see Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.