Sustainability Fair Earns Travel Green Certification

The 2009 Door County Sustainability Fair has earned certification from Travel Green Wisconsin (TGW).

The Sustainability Fair seeks to exemplify for other Door County festivals, a way to operate that reduces its dependence on mined and synthetic substances and minimizes encroachment upon nature while efficiently meeting human needs. Highlights from the fair’s checklist include:

• A solar electric array temporarily installed to offset greenhouse gases and other pollutants generated at the fair.

• Carbon offsets available for purchase by fairgoers to mitigate greenhouse gas generation traveling to and from the fair.

• A carpool matching service and bus service provided to transport people to and from the fair.

• Local and organic food provided by area vendors.

• Only reusable and washable tableware will be used.

• Fair will recycle and compost its waste.

• Non-electric instruments will be played in the contra dance band.

• Printed materials are 100 percent post-consumer fiber content.

• Plastic and Styrofoam packaging will not be allowed in the exhibit and food vendor areas.

• Dishwashing detergent is biodegradable and does not contain phosphates.

•Vendors and exhibitors have been screened for environmental and social responsibility.

The Sustainability Fair, sponsored by Sustain Door in cooperation with Friends of Gibraltar, is Saturday, April 18 from 10 am – 5 pm at the Door Community Auditorium and Gibraltar Schools. Admission is free. Lunch selections made from local ingredients and prepared by area restaurants and growers will be available for purchase.

The schedule of events includes presentations on Green Business, Sustainable Communities, Natural Landscaping, Green Building, Organic Gardening, Energy Conservation, Raising Children Sustainably, and more. Various sustainability issues will be screened in an all-day film festival. Activities for children, teens, and adults are planned. Childcare is available if prearranged by calling Vinni at 920.868.3284, ext 205.

The fair will be followed by a Contra Dance with live music by the Sugar on the Floor Barn Dance Society.

Sustainable Travel Arranged for the 2009 Door County Sustainability Fair

Door-Tran and Sustain Door, Inc. have teamed up to provide several options for traveling sustainably to the fair.

Fairgoers may choose to leave their cars in a temporary “park n’ ride” and take a bus provided by Door County – Green Bay Shuttle. The bus will leave Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay at 9:35 am, arriving at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek in time for the opening of the fair. The bus will return to Sturgeon Bay after the last main stage program, leaving from the auditorium parking lot at 5:15 pm. Interested travelers should reserve their seats in the 20-passenger vehicle by contacting Pam Busch at Door-Tran at 920.743.9999 or [email protected].

One-way bus fare is $5, round trip, $10, but travelers who purchase transportation vouchers in advance from Door-Tran can ride for half price.

Carpooling is also an option for persons interested in both saving money and decreasing pollution. Door-Tran will match drivers and riders for carpooling to the Sustainability Fair. Interested travelers may register for the carpool matching service by calling Door-Tran or by applying online at http://www.door-tran.com.

A complete schedule, lunch menu, list of exhibitors, etc, for the 2009 Door County Sustainability Fair can be found at sustaindoor.org