Earth Day 2011

Southwestern Michigan’s River Country Goes GREEN for Earth Day 2011, Stay Loyal, And Buy Locally Home Grown Goodies

Since 1970 Earth Day has been celebrated to remind the Nation to conserve energy and resources. If we work together the Earth can be safer, healthier and last longer. The grassroots effort has become a movement in which Southwestern Michigan’s River Country is proud to participate all-year-round. Take advantage of this Ever- Green county, shop, buy and go GREEN with Southwestern Michigan’s River Country.

This Earth Day, take advantage of the GREEN initiatives right here in Michigan. Buy homemade and homegrown products that save the environment. These local businesses save energy and creates less pollution when they don’t have to be shipped from anywhere – they were made right here! and specialize in tasty tidbits and fun for the whole family. From the nature and wildlife center to great food and shops, enjoy these GREEN enchantments.

· April 16, 2011 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. They will offer naturalist-led walks throughout the day and feature various great creatures in its habitat. The Kalamazoo Nature Center boasts 14 miles of trails just five minutes from downtown Kalamazoo. There will also be displays in the Glen Vista Gallery and community information table.

· Love Your Mother Mother is a retail store in downtown Three Rivers, Michigan, specializing in earth-friendly products. Their product line ranges from personal care items like shampoos, moisturizers, soaps, gardening supplies like organic fertilizers and pest controls, household goods like recycled glass, candles, chairs and more. The retail store also offers paper supplies, natural pet foods, cleaning supplies, clothing and more. Their products are made from recycled material--whether paper, glass, rubber, or wood--reduce the amount of nonrenewable resources we consume, and therefore insure that those resources will be available for generations to come.

· Don’t forget Timberly Tree Farm where you can choose a ready-cut tree or cut down your own. Take a beautiful tree home for Christmas or plant it in your back your for shade and give back to the environment. The Farm is open the weekend after Thanksgiving until Christmas, 7 days-a-week from 12p.m.-7p.m.

· Countryside Greenhouse in Allendale, MI is an affordable way to spruce up your home or garden. The greenhouse offers plants specials on their “Dollar Menu” from Marigolds to Sweet Potato Vine, Flowering Cabbage to Geraniums and more! This home and garden store is a treat for the garden and flower lover. Just being in the greenhouse will make you smile.

· Go Fishing! Visit Colon Bait and Tackle Sporting Goods. With a complete line of bait and tackle you can enjoy River Country’s 16 rivers and streams. Just request a guide to lakes, rivers, and streams in St. Joseph County to make your fishing experience a memorable one! Colon Bait & Tackle is open 7 days a week.

· Byler’s Farm Market best known for their bakery, serving fresh, homemade donuts, pies, cookies and specialty breads daily. The Market also entices with fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies. There are even spring flowers and bedding plants you can take home to start your garden. Byler’s is the most diverse market in the business, offering groceries, furniture, stoves, play sets and more.

· Fred and Gloria Stears showcase “Stears Sweet Corn.” The corn is all the rave in River Country, their corn variety was developed in Ilinois and is also sold in Japan. The locals wait year-round for the Stears’ roadside stand and you should too! Their corn is always fresh, picked six times a day! Sweet corn can be pre-ordered and ordered in bushel quantities by calling 269-435-7332.

· At Corey Lake Orchard you can pick your own fruits and veggies as well as buy their already picked products. Their U-pick option is great for field trips, family outings, bringing a date or just getting some fresh produce for you. The roadside market opens in spring, just in time for Earth Day, and the produce keeps coming throughout the season. 269-244-5690.

· Bubbling Brook Farm is an organic Community Supported Agriculture center in Centreville, MI. Stop in and enjoy a tour of the farm and, when available, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Centreville is also where a large contingent of Michigan’s Amish resides.

· Shop at The Tree of Life for all your “lake-oriented” gifts, souvenirs, jewelry and cards. Most of their products are made locally and qualify as “fair-trade.”

· What’s greener than nature! Come to Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboarding Area where you can learn to ski or snowboard, enjoy daily specials and group discounts! Get some air and keep the healthy. The ski and snowboarding area offers night skiing, separate beginner areas and children’s programs.

River Country is full of green living. There’s so much more in store for Earth Day in Southwestern Michigan. The local shops and stores stay GREEN all-year-round and want you to take advantage. Experience the great outdoors and the green events here, too!

· Enjoy the Farmer’s Markets in Constantine, Three Rivers and Sturgis on Wednesdays and Saturday’s.

· Take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend June 11-12 on our 16 lakes and streams. No license is required and you can buy your bait and fishing necessities at Colon Bait and Tackle Sporting Goods.

· Get your exercise on the Amish Land and Lakes Bike Ride a 2-day bike tour with over 1,000 bike riders through the Howe/Sturgis area. The Michiana Bicycle Association sponsors bike rides.

The late Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 from former President. Earth Day was and continues to be a success because each person takes responsibility for his or her environment.

“Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself,” Senator Nelson has said.

Now, every year millions participate in Earth Day celebrations around the globe. Get involved by visiting Southwestern Michigan, St. Joseph County.

Get your copy of the River Country Tourism Guide 2011 from any Michigan Welcome Center or the I-80/90 toll road. You’ll find Nature Adventures and locally grown and made goodies in the New River Country Tourism Guide for 2011.

The River Country Tourism Council promotes travel to the greater Michigan St. Joseph County area, which is located halfway between Detroit and Chicago in Southwest Michigan and nestled between I-94 to the north and I-80/90 to the south. Visit www.RiverCountry.com or call 248-459-0125.