Environmental Fair draws 500

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POCATELLO — The third annual Community Environmental Fair gave residents a chance to learn about energy conservation, said organizer Michelle Byrd, of the Department of Environmental Quality.

And warm weather, live music and the food court drew about 500 people to Tydeman Park Saturday for the educational event.

Byrd said the fair’s theme this year — “CO-2 and you” — included several booths designed to raise awareness about global warming.

The Idaho Climate Action Network let fairgoers calculate their “green score,” by evaluating their environmentally friendly practices. And an interactive children’s presentation showed the impact of climate change on migrating birds.

Brice Boland passed out literature for Caribou Clean Water, a group working to put pressure on mining companies and the government to address selenium contamination in the Caribou-Targhee Forest between Soda Springs and Star Valley, Wyo.

Boland said selenium affects the reproduction of cutthroat trout and threatens the population of the fish.

Jeremias Pink, co-founder of Pocatello Free Bikes, was on hand Saturday to encourage Pocatello residents to take advantage of the clean and affordable transportation option.

Pink said the free bike program, launched in 2004 now has 150 bikes available free of charge. For more information about Poky Free Bikes call 232-5552.

National Bike to Work Week kicks off May 12 and the Portneuf Bike to Work campaign signed up riders who pledged to use alternate transportation during that week.

An early morning bike ride beginning at the Union Pacific parking lot at the site of the Farmer’s Market will take place Tuesday. The event includes breakfast snacks and beverages. For more information call the Bannock Planning Organization at (208) 233-9322 .

Byrd said space at the Environmental Fair was free for educational groups, but venders selling merchandise or food paid a small fee.

The event is sponsored by the DEQ, the city of Pocatello, Bannock County and Idaho State University.

“The first year we were in the parking lot of City Hall,” Byrd said. “It just grows each year.”

This year, the Ross Park Zoo and the Pocatello animal shelter set up exhibits at the fair, including a petting zoo and a recycling station was positioned near the gate.

The Pocatello Fire Department was on hand with the tower truck from Station No. 1. Capt. Jim Harris said visitors who correctly answered questions relating to fire safety earned a ride up in the basket, which extends about 100-feet into the air.

Harris said the $750,000 specialized vehicle is used for rescues and also to fight fires on high-rise buildings.

Local band Steelhead Redd provided music for the fair.

“We love this community and we like to support local events,” said band member Jessica McAleese.

The band donated their time for the one-day festivity.

Travis and Candice Camper attended the fair with their three children and they said the educational and fun kids activities were the draw.

“The weather’s nice and it sounded like a good family outing,” Candice Camper said as she led her family to the food court.

By Debbie Bryce-dbryce@journalnet.com

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