Green is my favorite color for many reasons. Its many shades are simply beautiful but is can also mean renewal and growth.
Last month, green signified the end of winter and the beginnings of spring.
This month green means something entirely different. In April, green is an action word. If you Google the term “Going green,” you will find this definition: “To pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.”
BAPA will be in action going green this month, and hopefully you will join us.
We have our annual Clean and Green on Sat., Apr. 24 with over 20 different neighborhood spots for volunteer helpers to choose from. With a pair of garden gloves and some trash bags, we can work together to make our neighborhood beautiful after a long snowy winter.
One Apr. 1, BAPA partnered with the 19th Ward office and Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association to launch 5K By May, our first community-wide litter challenge. We are using Litterati, a new technology app that helps keep track of what type of litter is being found and where. We are challenging everyone to download the app and help pick up 5,000 pieces of litter in our neighborhood by May 1 — 5K by May. Learn more in Cathriona Fey’s article on page 22.
BAPA’s Save the Monarchs initiative continues with a seed swap and give-away of milkweed and other pollinator plants. We will also have trash grabbers available for purchase.
Our local businesses are going green too! Check out the article on page about Calabria Imports and how they have made easy but impactful changes to replace packaging on their food truck and in their restaurant.
You can find great ideas to help you choose responsible ways to go green in The Villager each month. It is my hope that Beverly/Morgan Park can lead the entire city in green initiatives and inspire other neighborhoods to do the same.
I hope to see you in action!
Mary Jo
