Municipal Hall

April 21, 2010 / 12:00 AM

April 22, Earth Day, marks the one year anniversary of the District's very successful on-site composting program.

To mark this important anniversary, Mayor Ernie Daykin emptied the first wheel barrow of soil from the on-site composter into the flower beds in Memorial Peace Park. Mayor Daykin commends staff's efforts to reduce their impact on the environment and he encourages other businesses to consider a similar on-site composting program.

Without a champion, the on-site composting program would not have been established. Adam Rieu, Youth Leader from the Parks and Leisure Services Division and Chair of the Workplace Waste Reduction Team, is just such a champion and was recently recognized with a Communitas Award, an international award that is given to people or organizations who demonstrate exceptional leadership in making a difference in their community or organization.

For more information on how to obtain a composter or to set up a workplace composting program, contact the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society at 604-463-5545 or visit their website.

As well, this Saturday, April 24, 2010, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the public is invited to participate in the Celebrate Earth Day festival at Memorial Peace Park. This community event for Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie will feature exhibits, performances, activities food and fun - all to celebrate and acknowledge the earth and the environment. For more information on this family oriented festival, visit www.mapleridgeearthday.org. The Farmers Market will open its first market of the year this Saturday during the Earth Day celebrations.