Empowering local action is focus of An Eco Afternoon in Pound Ridge

A special event — An Eco Afternoon, an initiative of The Pound Ridge Partnership — Sunday, April 27, from noon to 4 p.m., will bring together community members for educational and engaging activities designed to foster environmental awareness and local action. The event will be held at Pound Ridge Square, located at 55 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge.

“An Eco Afternoon is designed to empower you with knowledge and resources that can help mitigate our impact on the planet,” according to Sarah Douglis and Nicole Shaffer, event co-chairs. “With over 30 community organizations and vendors participating, you’ll discover sustainable practices that you can incorporate into your everyday life.”

Experts will be on hand to offer advice on home energy efficiency, gardening, and electric vehicles. The afternoon will also feature live music, kid’s activities, food and giveaways, as well as pop-up recycling and sustainable shopping opportunities. 

“This event is for anyone eager to reduce their impact and connect with eco-conscious neighbors,” Douglis and Shaffer said. “Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime local, this is a great way to get involved and make a real difference.” 

Noting the dramatic rollback of federal policies on environmental protection and climate change, the co-chairs also said, “We have the solutions and the power to create meaningful change right here in our homes, yards and neighborhoods.”

Eco Afternoon highlights 

Native gardening demo with Plan It Wild. Come at noon to watch as they transform Dino Park into a pollinator haven.

Recycling pop-ups. Drop off old textiles, batteries, crayons, markers, glasses and other items. Contribute to a vital disaster recovery supplies drive.

Ask an expert. Learn from local pros about native plants, energy efficiency, solar power and eco-landscaping.

Kid activities. Baby goats, eco crafts, seed dumpling making, a re-book fair, and a bouncy house powered by a Ford Lightning, courtesy of Park Ford Mahopac. Meet the student compost captains from Pound Ridge Elementary School to learn about the food scrap recycling initiatives happening at school.

Live music and local food. Free bagel samples from noon to 1 p.m. from Ridgefield Bagels and Bakes, as well as lunch options, pressed juices, vegan chocolate and baked goods. Live music from Guard Hill for the Planet, winner of the Pound Ridge Partnerships’s Battle of the Bands, and a sustainable wine tasting by Pound Ridge Wine and Spirits.

Giveaways. Trees, compost (bring a bucket), and free bike tune-ups courtesy of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board from noon to 3 p.m. 

For more information and to sign up to volunteer, visit poundridgepartnership.org.