by Dennis Dalman
The environment and how it directly affects the Sartell area will be the topic of the “Sartell Lions Earth Day Forum” from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 22 at the Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S.
The event is free, and all are welcome to come and listen and to ask questions. The forum will also be live-streamed, so people can watch it from home. Those who attend in person should note that COVID-19 restrictions (including mask wearing and social distancing) will be followed.
Forum speakers and participants will cover how to practice good stewardship for the home, yards and gardens and within the community. Some of the main topics will be horticulture, the home environment, garden tips, native grasses, plantings, water quality and positive environmental practices.
Scheduled to speak are Katie Drewitz, Stearns County Extension coordinator, whose field of expertise is horticulture; a speaker from Prairie Restorations of Princeton; and Sartell resident Tony Dingman, who is a Minnesota Pollution Control specialist.
Each presenter will make a 20-minute presentation with a question-and-answer time to follow. Printed hand-outs on a variety of environment-related subjects will also be available, free, to participants.
Earth Day, which began worldwide in 1970, is celebrated every April 22 in almost 200 countries. Its purpose is to show support and raise awareness for environmental protection.
Katie Drewitz, Stearns County Extension coordinator