- April 25, 2024
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Wyatt Moore and Rivers Leary try on disguises that were available for children at Ormond Beach Earth Day. Photo by Wayne Grant
Five O’Clock Charlie, a local band, fills the City Hall plaza with music for the Earth Day celebration. Photo by Wayne Grant
Visitors check the various booths at Earth Day. Photo by Wayne Grant
Natalie Melendez, Samantha Lecus and Sarah White select handmade dolls that were given out by the police department’s Victim Advocate Program. Also shown is Melissa Martinez, Natalie’s mother. Photo by Wayne Grant
Kylie Hucka, 4, picks out a lollipop at the Ormond Beach Garden Club booth. Photo by Wayne Grant
Laura Albert, of Volusia County Environmental Management, discusses recreational opportunities with David Tafur and his dad, Andres, of Ormond Beach. Photo by Wayne Grant
Visitors found out how they could be a little nicer to their home, Earth, at the city’s 25th annual Earth Day celebration April 20 at City Hall.
“We need to take care of it today so they will have something tomorrow,” said Andres Tafur, nodding toward his son, David.
The Tafurs enjoy hiking and biking around the county and stopped at the Volusia County Environmental Management booth for information about recreational opportunities. Tafur said he also enjoyed visiting the Environmental Discovery Center in Central park
“We’re privileged to live in this great community. We need to keep it this way,” he said.
He was concerned, however, about population growth.
“We see the town growing and growing,” he said. “I don’t see any red light on growth. We like the small town feel.”
“We’re privileged to live in this great community. We need to keep it this way.”
ANDRES TAFUR, visitor to Earth Day
Laura Albert, staffing the county’s booth, said their goal is have a sustainable plan for the environment. She was handing out material for recreational opportunities at Doris Leeper Preserve, Lake Beresford Park Trail, etc., and volunteer opportunities, such as manatee watch and trail maintenance, which can be found at Volusia.org.
The Environmental Discovery Center was promoting its nature programs, field trips and other activities which have been well attended since the center opened last May. Joan Tague, widow of naturalist Chuck Tague, who was advisor for the center and died last year, said soon they will be working with the schools to plan field trips for next year. Adults also can “discover” things at the center, such as how to handle water on their property, such as using rain barrels.
Melissa Martinez was there with her daughter, Natalie Melendez and nieces Samantha Lecus and Sarah White. “They are avid gardeners,” she said. “We come to Earth Day every year.”
Several city departments were represented, such as the Planning Dept., with information about flooding and how to be prepared for storms; Community Services, handing out helpful alligator, bear and strange dog tips; and Neighborhood Improvement with advice about bushes and trees.
Becky Durrance, on behalf of Public Works, was cautioning people about what they flush down the toilet. People flush drugs, and even needles, down the pipes which are harmful. Non-degradable pads or wipes can also cause problems.
Virginia Sauter, of the Ormond Beach Garden Club, encouraged people to add plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies, pointing out that there has been a problem with disappearing habitat for these animals. A grassy lawn is attractive, she said, but attracting birds and insects provides a “return to nature” and helps the environment.
Joseph Cofer, teen entrepreneur, was selling his Schmancy Pops, which are made of all natural products.
“There’s no dye or fake ingredients,” he said.
He saw the benefit of having an Earth Day.
“If we keep polluting we won’t have a nice place to live,” he said.
