Make sure to mark your calendars for the sixth annual Isthmus Green Day, a celebration of sustainability and healthy living. Running from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Monona Terrace in downtown Madison, this full day of eco-fun and learning will be led by two keynote speakers: Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune; and author, adventure journalist and organic cowboy Doug Fine.
With four different areas of presentations and demonstrations, there will intriguing and informative learning opportunities through the entirety of the day. Along with the two keynote presenters, the main stage will showcase sustainability and conservation efforts by the UW, as well as the "Pot, Policy, & Drug Peace Panel," which will feature state Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and be moderated by Isthmus news editor Judith Davidoff.
The Calvert Investment Breakout Sessions will be both informational and entertaining, covering a variety of topics: Mad Urban Bees will introduce urban beekeeping; Kayla Baake from EnAct Madison will give a Go Green Girl talk; David McClellan of Calvert Investments and Mary Strickland of Robert W. Baird & Co. will speak about socially responsible investing; Annette Miller and the New Green Challenge will showcase and discuss communities of color going green; John Gishnock III will explain how to have sustainable and beautiful landscaping; and Raj Shukla from Cool Choices will discuss how to normalize sustainability in everyday actions.
The Blue River Chiropractic Healthy Lifestyle Stage will keep things moving, and explore different ways to improve health with presentations on aromatherapy, reiki, natural pain management, as well as offer demonstrations of yoga and reflexology.
Of course, no event about healthy living would be complete without food! REAP Food Group will showcase local flavors from Bloom Bake Shop, 608 Community Supported Kitchen and FairShare CSA Coalition. Moonwise Herbs will present unusual fruits that can be grown in the garden. And then there is Dr. Ingrid's Green Smoothie Experience, which is not to be missed!
Along with all of these on-stage events, this celebration of green living will once again have something for everyone. Families will find a fill day of kids' activities, including a triathlon challenge. Gardeners will be able to bring in some seeds and swap them for new ones with Seed Savers Exchange. Everybody will be treated to a pop-up recycled art gallery, set up by Absolutely Art and Handmade Madison.
All of this is simply what's scheduled at Isthmus Green Day -- the entire exhibit hall will be filled with vendors of green goods, local flavors to sample, heaps of helpful information and more!
Everybody is encouraged to bring an item to give to Goodwill. Donors will be entered into a contest to win one of many fabulous prizes, including a gardening tool set with a reel mower and a weed and root remover from Fiskars; bamboo bike fenders from Planet Bike, a bamboo cutting board and a variety of nut butters from Earth Balance, and an Organic Spa Day from Divine Body and Styles Organic Salon & Spa!
More information about Isthmus Green Day is available here and on Facebook. The expo runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
Isthmus Green Day sponsors include MG&E, WKOW, Group Health Cooperative, Sierra Club, Home Savings Bank, The Century House, Calvert Investments, Mad City Windows, Blue River Chiropractic, Triple M, Mix 105.1, and the Clean Lakes Alliance.
See you there!