Is it possible to be green and raise a baby at the same time? According to The Eco-nomical Baby Guide: Down-To-Earth Ways For Parents To Save Money and the Planet, it is! This book will provide you with tips on shopping green, using cloth diapers, making homemade baby food, and determining how much baby gear you really need. Check this book out and discover that babies can be easier on your wallet (and planet) than you think.

The catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the April explosion of a BP offshore oil rig has put local economies, wildlife and the Gulf's ecosystem at risk. It has been described as the "worst environmental disaster in our nation's history." The affected area is home to more than 400 species of wildlife including whales, egrets, herons, otters, dolphins and millions of migratory birds. Check the NWF's website to see how you can help the wildlife recover. For more information on how our dependence on fossil fuels affect the environment check out Crude: The Real Price of Oil or Crude Impact.

If wolves attack livestock or pets, do humans have the right to kill them, even if they're on the Endangered Species list? This long-standing debate has reached the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Both states have requested permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to obtain permits allowing the killing of wolves, including gray wolves, which are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. There are roughly 600 wolves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The FWS is accepting public comments on this issue through May 19. Email your comments to Regional Director Peter Fasbender at: permitsR3ES@fws.gov. For more information, check out FWS's web page.

Do you like fresh produce? Do you want to support local farmers? Are you, like me, not a fan of going shopping? I recently discovered Door to Door Organics, and now I have fresh produce delivered to my house once a week. It's great! They have several different basic orders to choose from, and you can customize your order and add items however you'd like. The food comes from local farms including Beautiful Earth Family Farm and Two Creeks Organics, both located in nearby Chelsea. I heartily recommend their goods and their service.

The Third Annual Green Street Fair will return to the streets of Downtown Plymouth from April 30 to May 2. To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair "blends companies, artisans, entertainers, workshops and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment." Admission is free.

Event Hours

Day	Hours
Friday, April 30	Noon-7:00PM
Saturday, May 1	10:00AM-7:00PM
Sunday, May 2	10:00AM-5:00PM

Former Detroit News reporter, Joel Thurtell, and former photographer, Patricia Beck, tell their tale of traveling up the Rouge River by canoe. The trip was an eye-opening experience of beauty, destruction, pollution and hope. Now in book form, their travels are documented for all to see. Won't you join us for this unique look at our environment and the good, bad and ugly that we have created over the years.
Sunday, May 2nd at 1:00PM in the Community Room.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is challenging you to take the Commuter Challenge in May. The Commuter Challenge is simply "a fun and exciting way to encourage you to carpool, vanpool, ride public transportation, bike, walk or use telework or flextime benefits". You can actually win prizes while you help the environment! If you are considering the biking option you may also want to check out Google Maps which has added a bicycle directions option to its service.

From now through this Friday, April 30, all the recyclable paper you place in the library's bright green and yellow Paper Retriever bins (located in the southwest corner of the library parking lot), will generate double earnings for Canton Public Library. So gather up all your old newspapers, magazines, junk mail, school and office papers (cardboard and phone books are not accepted). We'll be happy to lighten your paper load while you help the library earn extra cash!

Looking for fun and educational events for the whole family? You don't want to miss the free Ann Arbor area Earth Day Festival that will be held on Sunday, April 25, at Washtenaw Community College. From Noon to 4:00PM, there are exhibits, hands-on activities and entertainment for all.

In honor of Earth Day, read a book about recycling. Here are a few easy-to-read choices:

• Recycled! — a beginning reader story about recycling in the classroom
• Choose To Reuse — a board book to teach even the very youngest about recycling
• Reusing and Recycling — an easy-to-read nonfiction title about recycling household materials

Happy Earth Day! Be sure to recycle something today!

Ubisoft is starting a new environmental initiative by no longer including paper game manuals in XBox 360 or PS3 games, instead these manuals will be available online. Ubisoft said, "internal data shows that producing one ton of paper used in its game manuals consumes around two tons of wood from 13 trees, with a net energy of 28 million BTUs — the average heating and energy for one home per year." But that isn't all they are doing to be more 'green'. Ubisoft is also partnering with Technimark to make new games cases that are made of 100% recycled materials.

Oceans, the newest big screen documentary from Disneynature, will open in theaters — appropriately — on Earth Day, April 22. Using the latest underwater technologies, the film gives viewers an unprecedented look at the mysteries living beneath the seas which cover nearly three quarters of the earth's surface. In addition, for every viewer that sees the film during its opening week (April 22-28), Disneynature will make a contribution to The Nature Conservancy to save the world's coral reefs.

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 18 - 23) and want you to join us! There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Earth Week Mural Art Creation — Sunday, April 18, 1:00-3:00PM
• Recycled Crafts — Tuesday, April 20, 5:00-5:45PM
• How to Become a Master Gardener — Tuesday, April 20, 7:00-8:30PM
• A Michivore Life — Wednesday, April 21, 7:00-8:30PM
• Energy Alternatives — Thursday, April 22, 7:00-8:30PM
• Scrapbox Fun! — Friday, April 23, 10:00-11:00AM

Also, be sure to share your green tips and tricks with the community by posting on the Electronic Green Board.

The inspiring story of the modern environmental movement is related in Earth Days, part of the American Experience series presented on PBS. Director Robert Stone traces the origins of the movement through the eyes of nine Americans who were involved in the movement from the 1950s to the establishment of the first Earth Day in 1970. Debuting tonight at 9:00PM on most PBS channels, the DVD will also be available in the Library's collection on its release.

Although Earth Day is officially celebrated once a year - on April 22 - the Library has a great collection of environmentally-themed documentaries that are available all year round. From wildlife to climate change, from recycling to alternate energy, we have it covered!

Tom Bloomer, co-founder of Michivore.com, will give you all the facts on eating locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats plus tips on doing this easily and inexpensively in his presentation A Michivore Life on Wednesday, April 21 from 7:00-8:30PM. This program is for both teens and adults. No registration is required for this program.

Considering putting solar panels on your home or perhaps installing some wind turbines? Join Dave Strenski from solarypsi.org on Thursday, April 22 from 7:00-8:30PM as he shares his knowledge in his presentation Energy Alternatives. It may save you time and money as well as help the global warming problem. This is an adult program. No registration is required for this program. [Photo courtesy of AP Images]

In celebration of Earth Week we would like to encourage you to share your green tips with others by simply commenting on this blog post. We hope that this electronic form of the CPL Green Board will provide you with a helpful list of what others are doing in the community to green up their lives. Some ideas that came from last year's board include: use energy efficient light bulbs, teach your children to live green, use eco-friendly organic fertilizer (slow-release nitrogen, no-phosphorous), wash your clothes in cold water and hang to dry, and use your library instead of buying books! Also be sure to check out Canton Green Resources for local recycling and environmental resources.

Do you want to make your green thumb even greener? Earth Week is a great time to learn how to grow and care for your own vegetables, herbs, fruit trees and flowers. Master Gardener Anita Callendar will be at the Library on April 20 with an overview of the Master Gardening Program presented by the Michigan State University Extension. Join her and other future gardening gurus in the Community Room from 7:00-8:30PM. No registration is required.

Have one of those old olive green refrigerators? Thinking of replacing your washing machine for a shiny new model? Well, you may be in luck! The State of Michigan recently began a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR^® qualified and ultra-efficient appliances. This program, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, offers rebates on refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters & furnaces. For eligibility guidelines, covered products and rebate amounts visit the U.S Departments of Energy's rebate website.