Green news and events from the State of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma
Earth Day (Week) Events In Oklahoma
By: Lisa Sharp - 
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Earth Day (Week) Events In Oklahoma
Downtown Nature Hike
April 15th at Noon on the east steps of City Hall in OKC
This free event will take you on a 45- minute walk led by a naturalist.
Crystal Bridge Bug Out
April 15th 9:30 a.m. at the Crystal Bridge in OKC
Take part in a ladybug release to help keep down the pests at the Crystal Bridge. Regular Crystal Bridge admission rates apply.
Recycling Event in OKC
April 17th 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Bring your tires, ammunition, and computers to the State Fairgrounds. The event is open to OKC residents only.
Picnic for the Planet
April 17th at Douglas Park in OKC
A fun picnic for the whole family. Bring some local food and a blanket to join in. Remember this is a low/no trash event, bring reusable utensils and napkins for your meal.
Earth Fest at the Tulsa Zoo
April 17th All Day
Earth Fest is a great day for the whole family. It will feature live music, green-themed activities for kids, a green market, and special guest Jim Fowler, animal expert and co-host of the original “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.”
Earth First Expo in Ardmore
April 17th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Bank First Plaza
Great eco-friendly activities for the whole family.
Earth Fest at Martin Park Nature Center
April 17th starting at 10:00 a.m. At Martin Park Nature Center in OKC.
Earth Fest will include everything from green seminars to a car show and recycling.
Party For The Planet at the OKC Zoo
April 17th from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Fun for the whole family! There will be animal feedings, craft stations, live entertainment, information stations, and more.
Live Earth Oklahoma- Run for Water
April 16th-18th
The weekend events include a eco-festival at Remington Park, a family day at the OKC Zoo, a music festival, and a 6k Run for Water. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Water4Foundation.
Little River Zoo’s Kids For Kindness Earth Day Festival
April 18th from Noon- 6 p.m. at Reaves Park in Norman.
This free event is a great place for kids to learn to be caring and compassionate.
Rethink Recycle Redesign
April 20th-25th
An eco-friendly art show that promotes green design and sustainability. The show will be at Six-Day Cellars during the Festival of the Arts.
UCO Earth Day Fair -Edmond
April 21st 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
For more info call- (405) 974-2363
Free Bus Rides in OKC
April 22nd All Day
Residents can ride the bus and trolley free all day. Riders will also have a chance to get a free reusable bag.
Ada Recycling Coalition Earth Day Meeting
April 22nd 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge
The lunch is $10 per person. Learn about recycling going on in Ada, Oklahoma.
Recycling Event in Ada
April 22nd and 23rd 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Chickasaw Nation ReUse Center.
The Chickasaw Nation ReUse Center is collecting white goods and TV’s for recycling as well as reusable items. For more information call (580) 272-5451
McSwain in Ada to Show Documentary
April 22nd at 6:00 p.m. at the McSwain Theater
The McSwain will be showing a documentary about Tar Creek, a superfund site in Oklahoma. A Q/A with the author will follow. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Ponca City Earth Day Event
April 22nd 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium.
Green Day at the Drillers
April 22nd 7:05 p.m. at Driller Ball Park in Tulsa
First 1,500 fans will get a free Driller’s reusable bag.
OU Earth Day Celebration
April 22nd 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Campus Union Courtyard.
Enviro Expo in Tulsa
April 22nd 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at 4th and Main in Downtown Tulsa.
There will be environmental exhibits, giveaways, live music and more.
Nichol Hills Earthday Birthday
April 22nd, 23rd & 24th 1203 Sherwood Lane, Nichols Hills.
A three day festival including an eco expo, green car parade, discussion panels, award-winning films and a community picnic with local food!
Choctaw Nation (4) Earth Days
April 24th 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in Durant, Grant, Pocola, and McAlester
For more info contact melissarobinson@choctawnation.com
Earth Day Celebration in Miami
April 24th at the Red Ceder Recycling Center
For more information call 918-542-8176 / 918-542-1688
April 24th at the Red Ceder Recycling Center
For more information call 918-542-8176 / 918-542-1688
Oklahoma Wind Power From OG&E
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OG&E has been offering wind power since 2003. In 2006 OG&E built Centennial Wind Farm in Harper County. It has more than 80 wind turbines that can generate 120 megawatts of electricity. Which is enough power for 51,000 homes!
They also now have a partnership with the Florida-based FPL Energy Company, which adds 30 more wind turbines and they can generate 50 megawatts of power.This makes OG&E’s wind program one of the largest in the country. They also plan to quadruple their wind power capacity over the next several years.
If OG&E currently supplies your power you can subscribe to get 25%, 50%, or 100% of your power supplied by renewable sources, including wind. It adds just a very small charge per kilowatt hour. The way OG&E does this is through REC, or renewable energy credits.
The power coming to your home will still be the same as it always has been but you will be paying for renewable power. This helps OG&E keep building more wind farms and getting more of their power from other renewable sources.
While REC’s aren’t perfect since you are still getting power that is likely at least somewhat from coal, it’s a good option for those who aren’t able to afford to be off-the-grid or even just a few solar panels.
If OG&E is not your provider then check with your electric company to find out if they offer REC’s. And don’t forget to ask if you electric company will do a free energy audit to find out how you can save on your electric bill!
Eating Local In Oklahoma: Downing Family Farm
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Photo Credit: Downing Family
Wes Downing didn’t grow up on the farm but rather was married into it. His father in-law ran a farm and recruited Wes. He ended up developing a love for farming. Wes and his wife Kathy purchased a 350 acre farm and have never looked back.
The Downings’ ended up farming sustainably after learning about modern agriculture and seeing that it was all about big corporations making cheap food and often hurting the farmer. They chose to go back to the way farming used to be and are very happy to have made the switch.
Wes will be the first to tell you it’s not always the easiest way to farm. He will tell you that “it is no fun in the middle of the night during a rainstorm to go put dry straw for bedding so the chickens in the pasture don’t get too wet and cold, while the CAFO farmer is snug asleep and the chickens in his 30,000 bird per house complex don’t even know what rain is!” He says it’s still worth it when he hears from his happy customers. He says his hope for the future of the local food movement is “that the parking lot at the local farmers markets and stores that provide local foods are full, and Wal-Mart lot is empty!”
The Downings products include pastured poultry, eggs, Angus beef, and pork. They are very open and honest about how they raise these animals even sharing pictures of where the animals live. So if you want sustainable, humane, and local meat in Oklahoma Downing Family Farm is sure to please.
You can find Downing Farm Family’s products in many stores in Oklahoma including Native Roots Market in Norman. Be sure to try their wonderful food soon!
