“This year’s event will be so much fun,” said Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Hernandez.  “We have so many wonderful vendors ready to educate families through fun activities connected with gardening, conservation, recycling, and so much more.”

“We love partnering with NBU and this event will have a variety of things to choose from including: herb scavenger hunt in the garden, kids’ yoga, garden smoothies, recycling activities, and the yearly paper bag recycling contest. Similar to last year, exhibitors will have hands-on activities for families to enjoy while learning about the environment. Thank you to Kristin Martinez, NBU’s Conservation Resource Specialist, for helping to organize exhibitors and also thanks for the great teamwork in the community in making this event special,” Hernandez said.

Exhibitors coming to share their passion include: Comal Master Gardeners, The Native Plant Society, City Recycling, City Parks Department, Comal Trails Alliance, City Watershed Management, Westside Community Center Community Library, New Braunfels Public Library Rio Mobile, New Braunfels Humane Society, Comal County AgriLife and 4H, Kona Ice, Comal ISD’s Chef Mario, New Braunfels ISD’s Chef Ashley, McKenna Children’s’ Museum, Eclipse Window Tinting, Girls Scout Troop 879, Lone Star Early Childhood PTA, New Braunfels Middle School PTA, NBU Headwaters at the Comal, and NBU’s rain barrel education session. The event will also include face painting, food, and music.  

“To highlight the Earth Day event, families or individuals will have the opportunity to register for Chef Mario Perez’s Earth Day Cooking Session.  The cooking sessions will be from 1200 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Registrations are through the New Braunfels Public Library online calendar (https://nbtexas.libcal.com/event/3954676 ).  His session is always entertaining and educational. It’s always fun to have the lead chefs from both school districts volunteering their time to give back to the community. Chef Ashley will be out near the garden from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. making garden smoothies and Chef Mario will be inside with a program beginning at noon,” Hernandez noted.

An additional highlight this year will be the New Braunfels Middle School’s 7^th grade students who will have their top science projects displayed in the upstairs classroom.  The displays will model how weathering, erosion, decompensation, and human activities, impact the environment.  

“We are proud to display the hard work the students have done in school, and what a great opportunity to do that during the Earth Day event,” Hernandez added.  

“Lastly, if you are interested in participating in the paper bag recycling contest this year, come by Westside Community Center’s Public Library and pick up the Grocery “Paper Bag” Decorating Contest Entry Form and Rules.  All paper bags should be decorated using recycled materials and, if desired, any other mediums such as: acrylics, watercolor, oil, pastels, mixed media, stamps etc. There will be a variety of categories to possibly take home a prize. All entries are open to the public,” Hernandez outlined. “The public can vote for the Public Choice Winner during the Earth Day event.  All completed bags must be turned in by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 20^th.  Check the Westside Community Center Facebook page for more details.”

For more information about Earth Day, contact the Westside Community Center at 830-221-4630 or NBU Environmental Affairs Department at 830-608-8925 or visit www.nbutexas.com/conservation.

The Westside Community Center is located at 2932 South IH 35 New Braunfels, TX. 78130.