St. Paul, Minn. -- The
Eco Experience at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair will be filled with
many new displays and interactive activities for fair goers of all ages.
The Eco Experience is the largest event of its kind and this year’s
additions provide something for everyone.
Home:
Students from the University of Minnesota’s College of Design have
created a Gen Y Eco Home, specific to the needs and wants of their
generation. The house pairs their research of Generation Y lifestyles
with their knowledge of sustainable design. In addition, display rooms
throughout the Eco Experience will showcase reused, recycled and
Minnesota-made interior design and finishes, including a bathroom from
Natural Built Home and a reuse room from ReUSE Minnesota. Learn how to
save energy and money at the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s home
energy exhibits of an energy-efficient kitchen, laundry room, living
room, and basement. Compare thermostats and light bulbs to see which
works best for your home. Plus, you can see Minnesota-made and
high-efficiency equipment for solar, wind, heating and cooling and learn
where to find solar and wind resources around the state.
Outdoors:
Agriculture, water conservation and protection, and community-building
come together in the design of our lawns and landscapes. Field Outdoor
Spaces has filled The Eco Experience building’s front lawn with hanging
gutter gardens, straw bale gardens, an unoccupied bee hive and space to
gather with friends. Field Outdoor Spaces will have daily presentations
at noon on landscaping and gardening. Inside the building, we’ll have a
large, stylized tree swing to take photos with while you learn about how
you can help slow and adapt to climate change by planting urban trees.
Food:
Our local food exhibit will feature Farm to School programs this year,
including updates on Farm to School champion schools. Learn how schools
are providing fresh, healthy food to their students. See cooking
demonstrations of farm to school recipes by representatives from Bemidji
Public Schools Food Service, the Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary
and Nutrition Services, and Hopkins Schools Nutrition and Lifestyle
Services.
Water: Minnesota has some of the best drinking water in the country, but it has to be protected. At a new exhibit by the Minnesota Department of Health, learn where our drinking water comes from, the differences between public and private supplies, and what you can do to keep drinking water clean. Then, dive into watersheds at a 20-foot floor map of the Washington-Ramsey Watershed District. You'll learn how watersheds work and what local residents are doing to protect water quality.
Recycling:
Almost 3.6 million aluminum cans are thrown away each day in Minnesota,
even though they are 100 percent recyclable. Fair goers will be
surprised to learn that less than 40 percent of aluminum cans are
recycled. Our display of thousands of cans will teach you why it is
important to recycle. We will also have a comprehensive plastics display
explaining what can be recycled in various Minnesota cities. Recycling
experts will be on hand to answer your questions.
Presentations:
Our Sustainability Stage will feature environmental experts and
community leaders presenting solutions and tips for your life. Some
highlights include Erin Rupp from Beez Kneez showcasing honey bees and
pollinators, Elizabeth Ries from KSTP-TV discussing her Home to
Homestead Project, and a representative from Growing Lots Urban Farm
explaining how to farm on a small lot in the city. We will also have
films featuring Farm to School programs playing each evening. Plus, the
Youth Voice of Change: Climate Change Youth Video Competition will
present awards during a screening of the top 10 films.
Manufacturing:
The era of single-use and toxic materials is on the way out. The
University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Polymers will explain how
green chemistry and engineering are reducing toxicity and waste in
manufacturing.
About the Eco Experience:
A partnership between the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency, and over 120 organizations and businesses from across
the state, the Eco Experience has become the second most popular exhibit
at the fair. It is the largest environmental event of its kind,
nationally, in the last two decades. Since 2006, more than 2.5 million
visitors have attended the 25,000-square-foot exhibit to learn more
about clean air and water, saving energy, climate change, recycling,
healthy local food, transportation, green building and remodeling, and
other ways to lead more eco-friendly lives. The Eco-Experience is in the
Progress Center building at the corners of Randall and Cosgrove. More
information is available at http://www.ecoexperience.org.
About the Eco Experience:As a partnership between the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and over 120 organizations and businesses from across the state, the Eco Experience has become the second most popular exhibit at the fair. The Eco Experience is the largest environmental event of its kind, nationally, in the last two decades. Since 2006, more than 2.5 million visitors have attended the 25,000-square-foot exhibit to learn more about clean air and water, saving energy, climate change, recycling, healthy local food, transportation, green building and remodeling, and other ways to lead more eco-friendly lives. More information is available at www.ecoexperience.org.