Learn how to save money and electricity at this Earth Day event

There is one thing everyone has in common: living on planet Earth.

Earth Day is April 22, but in New Mexico, the celebrations are going throughout the month to honor the planet and teach residents how they can positively impact the world and make change. That’s why, on Sunday, April 13, Balloon Fiesta Park will be hosting the New Mexico Earth Day Festival for the second time.

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet: a call to action for all of us to embrace renewable energy and make a lasting impact on our planet’s future,” highlights all the ways people can be more mindful about the impact they have on the planet.

“It’s really about taking your own power,” said Joanie Griffin, organizer of the event. Griffin said the event will also emphasize ways to limit energy usage.

Attendees will have a variety of activities to choose from. Throughout the day, various workshops will be hosted by environmental groups across the city like the Sierra Club’s Rio Grande Chapter, which will be doing a workshop with young changemakers. Sandia National Laboratories and Nusenda Credit Union, among others, will host presentations showing how their organizations are working toward a more environmentally friendly future and will give tips on how guests can participate.

For people who want to make a change and don’t know where to start, energy guides will be on site for guests to ask questions and for guidance on various rebates and programs available throughout the city. Attendees can learn about tax rebates and savings.

“We will have people really to customize the experience depending on what people want to learn about,” Griffin said. “If you say you live in an apartment and you can’t do much to save energy, but you can compost, they’ll take you over to those areas so you can learn.”

Children who attend will have the ability to enjoy a climbing wall and check out the kids’ entrepreneur fair to learn how they can better their future.

This year, the event features a youth arts contest that has visual, literary and performance arts elements. Students in varying age categories will have the chance to win a cash prize, and the first place winner will receive $100. The contest received 125 entries in total.

“Kids are our future,” Griffin said. “Obviously, what we’re doing to the planet is their future ... but this is something to really talk about their passion for the Earth.”

Adults can enjoy a wine tasting or even purchase a bottle from Sheehan Winery and the New Mexico Wine and Grape Growers Association.

For a family-friendly activity, Cross My Paws — an animal rescue group — will be bringing puppies that attendees can play with and even adopt. For those who prefer wings to paws, there will also be bird groups at the site.

Attendees interested in learning how to compost can participate in activities to learn how to save and repurpose their food scraps.

“If people are thinking about doing anything to their homes, this is really be a great place, because I think there’s a lot of confusion with the Trump administration as to what rebates are still available, and so we have experts there that can help people guide them to what they can take advantage of,” Griffin said.

Photo: 2024 Earth Day Festival at Balloon Fiesta park