The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (“ECDEP”) has announced the return of the annual WNY Earth Day Challenge, created by the Department and many community partners to encourage residents to celebrate Earth Day by learning about the environment and taking actions locally. The free challenge, which is now open and runs through April 30, is back for the third year and features numerous ways for individuals and families to participate.

For every Earth Day Challenge activity completed, participants are entered to win prizes, including a year-long membership to the Buffalo Museum of Science, visits to Penn Dixie, a rain barrel, a home weatherization kit, zero waste kit, bluebird boxes, and gift cards.

“Participating in the WNY Earth Day Challenge is a great way to find out about the important work being done in our community to protect the environment,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.

The WNY Earth Day Challenge is a series of themed activities, actions, art, and events that residents can participate in at various locations around WNY, including at home or school, through the month of April.

The Challenge spans Erie County and all Western New York. To learn more about how to participate, visit www.erie.gov/wnyearthdaychallenge.

Entrants are encouraged to share their activities online using #WNYEarthDayChallenge and encourage friends, family or students to get involved, too.

Erie County thanks its many local partners for joining in the challenge, including Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve, the WNY Environmental Alliance, the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance, the NAACP Environmental Justice Committee, the Buffalo Museum of Science, Tifft Nature Preserve, PUSH Buffalo, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, the Monarch of Infinite Possibilities, Little Salmon, Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Erie County Environmental Management Council and the WNY Stormwater Coalition.

For more information, visit https://www2.erie.gov/recycling/

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