Living Green Events for April

Living Green header

Celebrations of nature, Living Green Village, recycling, and sustainability news!


$$ This Month's $ustainability $avings Tip $$


Earth Day 2021

Celebrate Nature: In this month's tip, we've listed 10 simple actions to make a positive impact on the planet.

Earth Day: April 22 is a day to celebrate our planet and to learn ways to actively care for our community and the environment. Learn more on our Earth Day page along with 50+ easy and locally relevant tips on topics like Mesa’s composting program, seed library, incentives for grass removal, great water-saving ideas, and activities for kids.

One million tree

Arbor DayApril 25 is a holiday just for trees! Plant a tree, do something nice for your existing trees, or learn more about proper tree care to keep your trees healthy and beautiful. Arbor Day is especially significant due to our “Trees Are Cool” Initiative, with a goal of planting 1,000,000 trees in the City by 2050. Our Arbor Day site has everything you need. If you plant a tree, be sure to record it on our Trees Are Cool page.

WAM

Water Awareness Month: April is the perfect time to dive into simple ways to use water wisely and protect one of our most precious resources. From grass removal incentives to pledges and even a sticker contest – there’s something for everyone to make a splash this WAM! Get the details below.


~ ~ Events - Living Green Village & More ~ ~


Join us at the LIVING GREEN VILLAGE at Celebrate Mesa!

April 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for Celebrate Mesa, a free, fun-filled family event that brings the community together with games, carnival rides, and live entertainment! While you’re there, head over to the Living Green Village, located just north of the playground, for a special Earth Day celebration.

We’ve got 21 amazing exhibitors ready to share fun, hands-on activities and expert tips on everything from gardening and trees to recycling, energy, and water conservation.

Here’s a peek at what’s happening in the Village:

  • Our Earth Day Booth will feature simple, everyday ways you can help the planet.
  • Hug a tree (literally!) at our Tree Hugging Booth, chat with an Arborist, and learn about trees.
  • Meet local artist Doctor Bird, who turns sustainably harvested saguaros into art.
  • Visit with Mesa Recycles, Trees Matter, Garden Exchange Stands of Arizona, and more!

Celebrate Mesa

LG Village PicEarth Day banner


~ Sustainability News ~


Monarch 2

Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman Signs National Wildlife Federation’s Monarch Pledge Mayor Mark Freeman has reaffirmed Mesa's commitment to creating habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators by signing the National Wildlife Federation's Mayors' Monarch Pledge. The City is demonstrating its dedication to create and improve habitats for the monarch and other...

MABEL 2

Mesa On Wheels Rolls Into Celebrate Mesa April 12 Celebrate Mesa, the City's family-friendly spring party in the park on April 12 at Pioneer Park, always offers something new. This year, it's Mesa On Wheels – with the official unveiling of two new mobile units – plus three popular mobile attractions, bringing more...

Mesa Provides Summer Energy Assistance for Eligible Mesa Electric Customers SEA is a residential utility assistance program available to current City of Mesa residential electric customers whose total household income is less than $35,961 per year. Eligible customers can save up to $70 on electric bills this...

Poppy and Bee

Plant of the Month: Pollinator-Friendly Plants are All the Buzz Many of our pollinators are in decline due to habitat loss and pesticide poisoning. We can support and protect pollinators by selecting pollinator-friendly plants for our landscape and avoiding the use of harmful...

Your April Landscape Watering Reminder April through June is typically a dry period with low humidity, drying winds, and little chance of rain. Learn how much and how often to water...

The Significance of Water Awareness in Our Arid Climate It goes without saying that water is a vital resource. In Arizona, understanding its critical role is essential, especially given our challenging climate. We must recognize that our daily choices...


++ Bonus Tips ++


Reduce, then Reuse, then and only then... Recycle

Recycle Wizard

Blue Barrel Recycling Recycle Right... find our flyer for accepted items or get help from the Recycle Wizard on our site.

Green Yard Waste Program Can be used for grass, leaves, plant trimmings, and tree branches. Materials are turned into compost and mulch.

Household Hazardous Materials Our facility accepts appliances, electronics, cooking oil, paint, auto fluids, and many other items. There's also a swap shop.

MedReturn Boxes Unwanted prescription medications, vitamins, over-the-counter medications, etc. can be dropped in these boxes at specific Mesa police stations.

Bookmans Mesa Books, magazines, music, movies, musical instruments and even household items can be exchanged or sold.

Stardust Mesa This reuse center for home improvement is a great place to donate leftover building supplies or those old (but usable) cabinets you're replacing.

Goodwill Donate clothing and household items to some of the many nonprofits that are also providing resources to our community.


Mesa Climate Action Plan - Water Stewardship


Mesa's Climate Action Plan calls for cutting greenhouse gas emissions – and water plays a big part! Why? Because it takes a lot of energy to move, treat, and heat water.

Climate Action Plan Water

What can you do?

  • Take shorter showers
  • Fix leaks
  • Plant desert-friendly landscapes
  • Install WaterSense showerheads
  • Collect rainwater

There are so many easy ways to save water! Conserve with us. And find even more ways to save below!


Save Water with Wayne Drop Sticker Contest

WUIW Sticker Contest

For the first time ever, we’re creating an official set of Water – Use It Wisely stickers, and guess what? Any Arizona 4th graders could be the artists behind them! That’s right! We’re inviting all Arizona 4th grade classrooms to join the ‘Save Water with Wayne Drop’ Sticker Contest. It’s a fun and creative way for our talented youth to show off their artistic skills while learning why saving water is so important. The best part? There are awesome prizes for both students and teachers! Request a packet and we’ll even send you a return envelope with postage! Make a splash!


Funding Still Available for Youth Climate Action Fund Projects Until May 23!

Mesa teens and young adults are turning their climate action ideas into reality! Thanks to a second grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Mesa will award an additional $85,000 in grants to participants for projects that focus on tackling Mesa's climate goals. The program is empowering young people to design, implement, and govern actionable climate solutions.

MYCAF Mountain View

Open to groups of 3 or more applicants, the majority being between the ages of 15-24 years old, who reside in, attend school in, or whose initiative directly benefits the community of Mesa. Funding for each project request can range between $1,000 to $5,000. Last year, Mountain View High School Gardening Club made their garden more sustainable with water use by installing a solar-powered watering system and compost bins.

The deadline is May 23, so apply now! Find project ideas and all the details. Act fast before the $$ is gone!


Your Water. Your Impact. Know, Compare, and Save!

Your Water Your Impact

Are you using the right amount of water at home? Many people have no idea how much water they should be using or where they might be wasting it. That’s where a home water calculator comes in handy! These tools estimate ideal water usage based on your household size, habits, and our local climate – then you can compare it to your actual usage. Learn more!


Incentives Available to Homeowners and HOAs

Incentives Now Up To $2,100! Rip Out Your Grass, Rake In the Cash!

Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Rebate Just Got Way More Rewarding!

Grass to Xeriscape Graphic

Our lawn removal incentive just got a serious upgrade – now topping out at $2,100! That’s more green in your wallet for going green in your yard. Don't miss the latest publication from UofA Cooperative Extension, Conversion of Turf Areas in Arizona. It covers options for alternative groundcovers, the importance of protecting your trees in the process, and more.

Cash in on this deal! Learn how to apply for future projects!


Is Your HOA Using Too Much Water? Find Out for Free!

Overseeding sprinklers

Ever wondered if your HOA’s common area landscaping is using more water than it should? Now’s your chance to find out – for free! Thanks to a special grant, Mesa HOAs can access Waterfluence, an online water budgeting tool that compares your actual water use to a recommended amount based on acreage, landscape type, and real-time weather data. Take the guesswork out of water management and start saving today! Details!


Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation

Wyland Water Pledge

Take the Water Conservation Pledge – Save Water, Win Prizes! We are rallying Mesa residents to join the nationwide Wyland challenge!  Pledge to use water wisely to be entered to win cool prizes – like $3,000 toward your utility bills! Take the pledge!


 

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