Earth Hour 2011 – March 26, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens is officially participating in Earth Hour 2011! Why are we participating?
OmniGlobe at Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens core values are transformation, relevance, diversity and sustainability. We want to help transform the Earth to a healthy environment and sustain that environment through green practices. We want to stay relevant by being engaged in modern environmental activism. Lastly, we want to be diverse and support environmental practices in a variety of ways.
Not only do we support Earth Hour 2011 by turning out our lights, but we continue to encourage responsible treatment of the natural world through long-term maintenance. Denver Botanic Gardens has created a Sustainability Management Program, uses LED holiday lights at Blossoms of Light and Trail of Lights, produces electricity by solar panels, has installed a purified water system that connects directly into existing water lines, uses recycling and compost receptacles, has a Green Roof, has a Community Supported Agriculture at Chatfield and offer classes on gardening and composting!
What is Earth Hour 2011?
Earth Hour began as a single-city initiative in Sydney, Australia in 2007. It has since grown into a global movement with hundreds of millions of people from more than 4,500 cities and towns in 128 countries across every continent switching off their lights for Earth Hour. Some of the world’s most famous marvels and natural wonders, including China’s Forbidden City, Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids of Egypt, Buckingham Palace, Niagara Falls, Empire State Building and Sydney Opera House stand in darkness as a powerful symbol of landmark environmental action.
How is Denver Botanic Gardens participating?
We have created a virtual light bulb on earthhour.org to show our support online. Our facility has pledged to turn off all non-essential lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Employees are turning off their lights at home and creating their own virtual lantern to pledge participation. We are spreading the word and encouraging everyone to be a part of this impactful event.
How can you support Earth Hour?
- Switch off non-essential lights at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26.
- Communicate Earth Hour initiatives on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc…
- Create a “Virtual Lantern” at earthhour.org to pledge your support.
- Spread the word and involved others in the community.
- Communicate Earth Hour to your neighbors, local businesses, schools, churches and other organizations.
- Plan an “Earth Hour” Celebration with your friends and family – play games and read stories by candlelight.
- Involve and educate your children by explaining the importance of turning off the lights.
Go Beyond the Hour at www.beyondthehour.org
- Take action – One small act can make a big difference. Add your act and share it with the world.
- Fine inspiration – Discover actions that make a difference and make them your own.
- Get mobile app – Take action on the go with the mobile site.
- Share widget – Smart Phone users take action and get others involved from your blogs, social networks and more.
March 25, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Hello I have been spreading the word about Earth Hour and the importance of it on Facebook and at work. I haven’t seen or heard anything going on for this event on the local news? Are you guys the only place that are involve in this and why not the rest of Denver?
March 28, 2011 at 9:44 am
Hi Enrique – Sorry I missed your comment on Friday! Glad to hear that you are promoting Earth Hour.
There were a number of organizations spreading the word about Earth Hour – GreenPrint Denver among them – but the idea does still seem to be in early stages. So long as people like you are telling others, some impact can be made. Let’s see what we can do moving forward!