General DNR News

DNR Participates in Baton Rouge Earth Day Activities

The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will sponsor several activities in conjunction with Baton Rouge Earth Day to be held on Sunday, April 22, 2001. This year's Earth Day theme is Restore the Balance, and the festival is open and free to the public.

Earth Day organizers have also planned a variety of week-long events beginning with Mayor-President Bobby Simpson's kick-off press conference held today in downtown Baton Rouge near the Old State Capitol.

Mayor Simpson, DNR, and the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition are promoting the public's use of alternative fuels in vehicles to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the five-parish non-attainment area for ozone represented by the Coalition.

DNR's Energy Office and the Greater Baton Rouge Clean Cities Coalition have planned the following activities:

• "Advancing the Choice" Workshop
  Designed to inform local fleet managers and purchasing agents of fuel and vehicle choices available 
  Wednesday, April 18th 
  9 am to 2 pm at the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel 
  Presenters are U. S. Department of Energy officials and industry representatives of Ford, GM, Honda and Toyota
• Drive and Ride Event
  Test drive or ride in a compressed natural gas-powered car, hybrid-vehicle, or propane fueled car or truck plus vehicle viewing and information from area fuel providers. FuelMan is a participating sponsor. 
  Thursday, April 19th 
  11:30 am near the Old State Capitol on Lafayette St.
• "Advancing the Choice" Display
  Join festival-goers at Earth Day and visit the exhibit area for alternative fuel vehicles, ask questions, and pick-up brochures and other information
  Sunday, April 22nd
  12 noon until 8 pm downtown at North Blvd. 
  Parking lot adjacent to the Old Governor's Mansion

In addition to the Technology Assessment Division's Energy Office, DNR's Office of Coastal Restoration and Management will participate on Sunday with a display booth promoting the state's coastal management practices and coastal non-point source pollution control.

Click here to visit the official "Earth Day 2001" website.

Editors: For more information on the Coalition's activities, please call DNR Energy Section Supervisor Paula Ridgeway at 225-342-2133 or the DNR Public Information Office at 225-342-8955.