116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Having a ball at EcoFest in Cedar Rapids
CEDAR RAPIDS - Founded in 1970, Earth Day is an international holiday celebrated across more than 100 countries to demonstrate support for the environment.
EcoFest has taken place every Earth Day since 2010 in the NewBo neighborhood of Cedar Rapids.
The festival returned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with dozens of organizations on hand to help promote green living and love for the environment, including Indian Creek Nature Center, National Center for Science Education, Sierra Club, Trees Forever and Linn County Conservation.
Among the activities was a station where members of the public could help Monarchs of Eastern Iowa make milkweed seed balls. Last year, the group gave more than 50,000 balls, made using milkweed seeds, compost and clay, to RAGBRAI riders to distribute along the roadside. Monarch caterpillars eat milkweed and thus the effort supports the monarch population.
For more information about EcoFest, including how to become a sponsor of the 2018 event, go to ecofestcr.org or search EcoFest CR on Facebook.
Seven-year-old Layla Breitbach of Marion recieves instructions on making milkweed seed balls from a member of Monarchs of Eastern Iowa during EcoFest at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapid on Saturday April 22, 2017. Last year the group gave over 50,000 of the balls, made from milkweed seeds, compost and clay, to RAGBRAI riders to distribute along the roadside. Monarch catepillars only eat milkweed. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A box of recently made milkweed seed balls sits on the table of Monarchs of Eastern Iowa during EcoFest at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapid on Saturday April 22, 2017. Last year the group gave over 50,000 of the balls, made from milkweed seeds, compost and clay, to RAGBRAI riders to distribute along the roadside. Monarch catepillars only eat milkweed. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Twelve-year-old Noah Reu of Cedar Rapids powers light bulbs by pedaling the 'generator bike' at the exhibit of Iowa Renewable Energy Association during EcoFest at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapid on Saturday April 22, 2017. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A turkey vulture spreads its wings for the audience during Our Feathered Friends Raptor Program EcoFest at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapid on Saturday April 22, 2017. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
YARDY, the macot of the City of Cedar Rapids curbside compost bins, reminds people of the types of biodegradable food and yard waste that can be disposed of in YARDYs during EcoFest at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapid on Saturday April 22, 2017. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
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