earth day 2012 highlights

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Seoul, South Korea Two local organizations, Eco Moms and Green Growth, mobilized the Seoul community to learn about environmental issues and pledge acts of service. Mobilize the Earth 1 Billion People 192 Countries Photo: Participants holding a massive replica of the official Earth Day 2012 Mobilize the Earth™ poster Earth Day 2012 World Wide

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Page 1: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Seoul, South Korea

Two local organizations, Eco Moms and Green Growth, mobilized the Seoul community to learn about environmental issues and pledge acts of service.

Mobilize the Earth

1 Billion People192 Countries

Photo: Participants holding a massive replica of the official Earth Day 2012

Mobilize the Earth™ poster

Earth Day 2012 World W i d e

Page 2: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Kurdistan Region, Iraq

In an effort to help Mobilize the Earth™ and to help their constituents embrace sustainability, the Kurdistan Regional Government planted five million trees across Iraq in honor of Earth Day 2012 and A Billion Acts of Green®.

“We’re proud to be joining so many people all over the world who are taking action for Earth Day 2012. By planting these trees, we’re improving the environment of Kurdistan and the surrounding communities, but we also hope to set an example for the rest of Iraq, the region, and the world.”

-Dr. Barham Salih, Prime Minister of Kurdistan

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Photo: Kurdistan Prime Minister Dr. Barham Salih planting a tree on Earth Day

Page 3: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Chhattisgarh, India

Local students listened to lectures on the importance of Earth Day and made environmental pledges to be included in the “Tree of Life”. At the end of the day students painted their hands green and made a collage signifying their unity for a safer and healthier planet.

Earth Day 2012 World W i d e

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Photos (Top to Bottom): Students show their support for Earth Day; A young girl writes down her environmental pledge; students showcase

their green hands for the environment.

Mobilize the Earth

Page 4: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

“To protect our planet and its precious natural resources, we have to spread awareness about the grave problems they face. And this environmental education has to start at a young age. That’s why

Oman is mobilizing for Earth Day by engaging our school children.” -Ministry of Education in Oman.

Oman

In Oman, The Ministry of Education called upon every school in the Sultanate (7,000+) to take part in environmental actions on Earth Day. Students learned about environmental issues and gave speeches in front of their peers on the importance of living green.

Photos (Top to Bottom): Students prepare to hear an environmental speech; students and teachers get ready to plant trees in the

playground

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Page 5: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

New Taipei City, Taiwan

More than 10,000 people gathered in New Taipei City, including The First Lady of the Republic of China, Mrs. Christine Chow Ma, to plant trees in honor of Earth Day and help build a beautiful natural park for the city.

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Photo: First Lady Mrs. Ma is seen planting a tree for Earth Day.

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“Save Earth! Save Life! One Earth! One Chance!”-Students at the forest rally

Madhya Pradesh, India

Students and villagers rallied in the Kanha National Park to call upon world leaders to protect the Earth. Participants planted trees, picked up trash, and gave away free energy efficient solar lamps to villagers.

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Photos (Top to Bottom): Villagers and students participate in the Rally; A village

member is given a solar lamp

Page 7: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville held “40 Days and 40 Nights” of events in honor of Earth Day. From April 5th to May 14th, 40 Days and 40 Nights featured over 100 events, engaging residents and local businesses throughout the community to mobilize and show their support for a sustainable future.

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Photo: Mayor Lioneld Jordan kicks off Earth Month with a proclamation reading in front

of city hall

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So Paulo, Brazil

In honor of Earth Day, hundreds of skateboarders within the Greenskate community took to the streets on April 22nd in São Paulo, Brazil to promote longboarding as a viable, eco-friendly method of transportation.

“São Paulo is one of the most troubled cities in the world when it comes to transportation and environment. With such a big skateboarding scene in Brazil, longboarding is an almost obvious

alternative to avoid the traffic jams and reduce the pollution.” – A Greenskate Participant

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Photo: Longboarders assemble on the streets of São Paulo

Page 9: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Dhi Qar Province, Iraq

Over 10,000 schools Iraq planned Earth Day events to help Mobilize the Earth. The Al-Nasiriyah High School for Girls in southern Iraq hosted a number of activities, including a presentation on the importance of protecting the environment, a tree planting and a drawing exhibition.

“This is the second year we organized Earth Day activities and we are committed to do so every year”-Al-Nasiriyah School Principle

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Photo (Top to Bottom): A young Iraqi girl works to plant a tree; a student draws an

environmental painting; a teacher lectures students on the importance of conservation.

Page 10: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

St. Louis, Missouri

More than 30,000 people attended the 23rd Annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival on April 22nd. The theme was "Heroes for the Planet: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Acts." Activities included an “All Species Parade” kicked off by Mayor Francis G. Slay, a recycling extravaganza, and a Green Jobs exhibit.

“I encourage all citizens to take this opportunity to learn about respect and celebrate our connection to life on Earth and to take measures to give back on Earth Day and every day. ”

-St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay

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Photo: volunteers educate an event participant about recycling

Page 11: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Dushanbe, TajikistanA team of local NGOs, led by Little Earth organized a community cleanup at local playgrounds, and organized numerous presentations throughout the day to educate residents about environmental issues. In honor of Earth Day, the coalition of groups opened the first bicycle lane in Dushanbe.

Photo: Participants standing together to show their support for the planet

"Remember, we’ve only got one Little Earth! Even if everyday is Earth Day for some people, it is only on the 22nd of April that we come together and realize how big our movement has become."

-Timur Idrisov, co-founder of Little Earth

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Page 12: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Kingston, Jamaica

In Jamaica, over 100 students helped Mobilize the Earth™ by participating in environmental events and games, hosted by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). Students learned the importance of conservation and worked to incorporate green actions into their daily lives.

Photo: JET participant displays a mask that he made in honor of local wildlife.

“Earth Day 2012 marked the completion of the second phase of the Building Appreciation for Nature in Children at Risk (BANCAR) project. The project ended with a fun filled day for participants. Nearly 100 8 - 14

year olds from RISE Kidz Clubs in communities of Majestic Gardens, Tower Hill and Drewsland came out to celebrate in Kingston.”

– A JET Member

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Page 13: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Cape Town, South Africa

In South Africa, local K-12 students picked up waste at a nearby beach and helped clean up the surrounding landscape in honor of Earth Day.

Photos (Left to Right): Students clean up waste around a sea drain; two young boys pose for the

camera while recycling some plastic bottles

“We are very happy to be collaborating with the City of Cape Town and teaching the learners about the importance of looking after the earth. It is important that the youth play a role in keeping our environment clean and by participating in initiatives such as Earth Day, they are doing just that,”

-Stuart McLeod, Managing Director of PenBev.

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Page 14: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Columbus, Ohio

In honor of Earth Day, thousands of people volunteered during the month of April to help clean up the state of Ohio. In addition, local group Green Columbus organized a large event in downtown Columbus to build awareness of the city’s green initiatives.

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Photo: team of volunteers who cleaned up their local neighborhood

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Son Rullan, Spain

A local sustainable community organized a series of activities and demonstrations within their eco-village to help educate nearby residents about living in an environmentally friendly manner.  

Photo: participants gather together to meditate in Son Rullan, Spain

Earth Day 2012 World W i d e

“It is a celebration with a difference, a celebration which gives meaning, a celebration which renews our commitment to respect Earth and humanity.”

- Earth Day organizer

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Page 16: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Tunis City, Tunisia

Schools within Tunis City organized outdoor Earth Day activities and taught their children about the importance of environmental issues in the classroom. Outdoor activities included tree plantings, recycling drives, and the clean-up of a local park. Photos (Top to Bottom): A student works to

create a sculpture out of her recently recycled bottle; students help plant trees at

a local park

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Page 17: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Selangor, Malaysia

Local NGO Waterfall Survivors mobilized hundreds of local residents to clean up of the local Selangor Waterfall and learn about the importance of preserving their environment.

“On April 22nd, approximately 500 participants traveled to Templer’s Park in Selangor, Malaysia with the goal of removing all waste and litter from the magnificent waterfalls in the park. The event

featured activities and discussions to educate participants about the environmental threats facing Malaysia’s waterfalls.” – A Waterfall Survivors Participant

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Photo: Waterfall Survivors participants pose for a group photo before the clean-up

Page 18: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Cleveland, Ohio

On April 22nd, Cleveland hosted EarthFest 2012, an environmental education event which featured speakers, exhibits on clean transportation, and green home improvements. The theme was ‘Local and Sustainable Food’, which highlighted Mayor Jackson’s 10-year Sustainable Cleveland Initiative.

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Photo: EarthFest 2012 in Cleveland

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Fiji, Palau, Philippines

Local non-profit Community Centred Conservation (C3) hosted a series of community clean-ups and reforestation activities in honor of Earth Day.

Photo: C3 participants clean up a beach in the Philippines

“The 22nd April 2012 was a day marked globally for its environmental significance, as over one billion people in 192 countries took part to help protect their environment to commemorate the 42nd Earth

Day... C3 staff and local communities in four countries were among the individuals, schools, communities and companies across the world that were helping Earth Day Network achieve A Billion

Acts of Green®.” – A C3 Participant

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Page 20: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

“Bangalore is a city with the highest number of two wheelers in the country.I often think why I should use a vehicle to commute 5 km? What is the purpose of public transport

then? This is one way to tell everyone that we must stop polluting the environment.”- Raksha Jayaraj, Earth Day Participant

Bangalore, India

More than 200 college students pushed motorized bikes backwards through the streets of Bangalore in an effort to spread awareness about rising carbon emission levels in the city and to encourage the public to use sustainable modes of transport.

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Photos (Top to Bottom): Students march through the streets with their bikes;

Students create a “human bicycle” to promote carbon free modes of transport.

Page 21: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Tripoli, Libya

Led by local NGOs the Environmental Friends ,of Libya and the Flame of the Capital, hundreds of youth and adults helped clean up the city and plant trees in honor of Earth Day.

Photos (Top to Bottom): Some young boys are ready to clean on Earth Day 2012;

Event participants show their support for EDN as they clean a local park

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Page 22: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Alajuela, Costa Rica

In an effort to help restore the local canopy and educate the public, the Alajuela community helped plant mountain almond trees (a local species) in honor of Earth Day.

Photo: Local family plants a mountain almond tree

“Our reforestation event on Earth Day was a fantastic success! We planted 100 mountain almonds trees and had 35 volunteers helping!”

– Earth Day Participant

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Page 23: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

DeSoto County, Mississippi

In honor of Earth Day, the DeSoto County organized a series of Earth Day activities and exhibits that focused on sustainable living, energy efficiency, and natural resource conservation.

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Photo: kids learning about water collection at an interactive exhibit

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Beijing, China

In honor of Earth Day, families, kids, and adults learned about environmental issues and conservation while constructing a sculpture of “Sky-patching-Goddess Nuwa” and washing cars with only one bucket of water. Several members of the visiting Harlem Globetrotters players came out for the event.

“I always believe that our planet is not inherited from our ancestors, but borrowed from our future generations. And, all religion and arts are derived and generated from nature. Earth Day is a great

opportunity to eulogize the harmony of both natural and human landscapes.” -Yuan Xikun, founder of ‘Champion of Water Alliance’

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Photo: Harlem Globetrotters players and schoolchildren pose to capture the moment

for Earth Day.

Page 25: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Bellevue, Nebraska

In Bellevue, hundreds of local residents came out to seegreen product demonstrations, learn about city recycling practices, and take part in the annual Earth Day 5k race.

“It is imperative for municipal government to recognize, acknowledge and participate as an example to the community and its residents in leading environmental-friendly practices.”

-Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders

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Photo (Top to Bottom): recycle relay race; starting area for the 5k race

Page 26: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Freeport, Maine

Over 50 children pledged to read environmentally themed books throughout the month of April and designed eco-bookmarks in honor of Earth Day 2012 at the Freeport Community Public Library.

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Photo (Top to Bottom): Reading for the Earth™ book display encouraging children

to read environmentally-themed books; some of the bookmarks created by kids

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Sofia, Bulgaria

At the American College of Sofia, students learned about local environmental issues, made commitments to help protect the environment, and built a community garden in honor of Earth Day.

Photo: 8th graders stand proudly by their flower patch.

Some pledges made by 8th graders:“I pledge I will only drive to school three days a week.” “I pledge to make the air cleaner by planting a

tree behind my house.” “I pledge to have a shower instead of a bath.” “I pledge to recycle my old notebooks.” “I pledge never to throw rubbish on the ground.” “I pledge to use less energy by using

more solar batteries.”

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Andhra Pradesh, India

A group of local women from a tribal village in Andhra Pradesh, replaced their incandescent light bulbs with CFL bulbs and pledged to lead “greener” lifestyles in honor of Earth Day.

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Photo: Villagers hold up their new CFL Bulbs on Earth Day 2012

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Kowloon Tong, Hong KongStudents from the American International School in Hong Kong researched animal habitats and displayed their new found knowledge through creative dioramas.

“Our grade 3 students have created animal dioramas featuring animal habitats.”- Elsa Ko, American International School

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Photo: Reading for the Earth™ display with animal habitat dioramas

Page 30: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Burbank, California

Hundreds of local residents gathered at the Earth Day event in Burbank to learn about waste management, recycling, and composting.

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Photo: Earth Day celebration in Burbank

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“Regardless of its length, each Earth Day initiative is commendable in that it spreads environmental awareness.”

-Earth Day organizer

Iasi, Romania

In Iasi, Earth Day organizers planned a series of events to help mobilize schools and local residents to protect the environment. Events included waste clean ups, tree plantings, seminars, and demonstrations.

Photo: Students from the school club “Radu Cernatescu” plant lime and oak trees in their

school campus.

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Page 32: Earth Day 2012 Highlights

Guangzhou, ChinaIn honor of Earth Day, the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou organized 22 events during Earth Week to help educate the local community about environmental issues and to encourage them to commit to change their personal behavior.

Photo: On April 22nd, the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou held an eco-pledge signing ceremony where all contributions were

added to A Billion Acts of Green®.

Earth Day 2012 World W i d e

Popular online pledges:“I will eat meat at most three days a week.” “I will limit my showers to five minutes.” “I will

recycle all plastic bottles I use.” “I will join and environmental organization.” “I will plant a tree.” “I will build a compost bin.” “I will ride my bike to work every day.”

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Khao Yai, Thailand

Local families visited the National Park in Khao Yai to plant trees and learn about different tree planting techniques, forest evolution, and the difference between reforestation and forest restoration.

Photo: Children pet giraffes as they learn about biodiversity and conservation.

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"Not only is it beneficial for the planet to plant trees but its also important for children to understand the benefits that reforesting our planet brings and what better way than to get the whole family out

there to help us "save the planet one tree at a time!“-Andrew Steel, founder of Plant a Tree Foundation

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Freeport, Bahamas

In honor of Earth Day, the Grand Bahama Branch hosted an Earth Day that educated locals on sustainable agriculture and featured a wood carving art exhibition to demonstrate the beauty of nature that and how it is being tarnished by fossil fuel consumption.

Photo: Wood Carver guides Art Exhibition participant

“In the exhibition there are abstract works made of materials derived directly from the earth representing the beauty of nature, marred by the human need for fossil fuel consumption.”

– Bahamas National Trust Participant

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"There were many leaves added to our commitment tree which symbolized individual commitments from those who attended the event toward sustainability and Earth Day. It was their way to say "Me

and Now" to our theme of "If not you, who and if not now, when?“” -Andy McDonough, event chairman of Fort Wainwright

Fairbanks, AlaskaIn honor of Earth Day, Fort Wainwright organized Earth Day activities and registered community environmental commitments in collaboration with residents, the North Pole mayor, Doug Isaacson, Fairbanks city mayor, Jerry Cleworth and Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor, Luke Hopkins.

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Photo: Mayors gather to sign the Interior Alaska Community Sustainable

Proclamation

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Indianapolis, Indiana

The city of Indianapolis held its first ever organized Earth Day event and mobilized several thousand local residents to learn about sustainability issues and how to take better care of their environment.

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Photo: Tree planting at the inaugural Earth Day celebration

Mobilize the Earth

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Port Louis, Mauritius

In Mauritius, on Earth Day 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Luc Duval, Minister of Tourism Michael Sik Yuen, and Minsiter of Health Lormus Bundhoo all decided to bike to work to promote sustainability across Mauritius. They encouraged all Mauritians to bike to work when possible.

Photo: Minister of Tourism Michael Sik Yuen, and coworkers bike to work

“The bicycle emits no air pollution and noise. Mauritius will come out as a winner if we all bike more.”

- Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Luc Duval

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New York City, New YorkFor Earth Day, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined high school students from Global Kids, Children's Aide Society, and Young Women's Leadership School in East Harlem for a town hall on Sustainability and the Future of New York City.

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Photo: Manhattan Borough President Stringer speaking to high schools students

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Naples, Italy

Thousands of people gathered in Naples to take part in the official Earth Day Italy event – which featured musical performances and environmental fashion shows – to draw attention to environmental problems in Italy and around the world and promote a green lifestyle.

Photo: Rezzophonic rocking the Earth Day Italy concert.

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“Since its inception, the Italian Earth Day has worked to host our event in order to raise public awareness on critical environmental problems on Earth. Through music and fashion, Earth Day Italia

brings people together who are working to form a more sustainable Italy and a more sustainable planet.” – Claudio Sestili, President

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“Children learn best through their everyday experiences with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun. And the best place for these experiences is outdoors, in the natural world.””

-Center for Families, Communities, Schools and Children’s Learning

Monterey County, California

Children at the Monterey County Public Library pledged to read environmentally-themed books in honor Earth Day 2012.

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Photo: A child browsing through books at a Reading for the Earth™ book display

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Sierra Gorda, Mexico

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers, local authorities, and local businesses gathered in Sierra Gorda to present skits, poems, traditional dishes, songs, and dances that celebrate humanity’s connection to the Earth and the kinship required to protect it.

“To us every day is Earth Day. In 40 different strategic communities, hundreds of students, parents, teachers, local authorities, local businesses all gather and present skits, poems, songs and dances, grandmothers prepare the traditional dishes otherwise forgotten and that is how we celebrate our

connection to the Earth and the kinship that demands we take action to protect her.” – Director of Grupo Ecolgico Sierra Gorda

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Photo: School children display artwork created at an Earth Festival

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Malibu, California

Hundreds of local residents attended the Malibu Earth Day event and learned about composting, Smart Gardening, Energy Upgrade rebates, water conservation, State Parks, and City Environmental Programs.

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Photo: Children enjoy locally grown strawberries at Malibu Country Mart

Mobilize the Earth