While "green living" is a growing global trend it is not a new idea in America
or the City of Fontana. With annual Arbor Day events, recycling drives and a growing number
of paperless offices and products, Fontana has a history of supporting the environment. This
year will not be different.
On Thursday, March 13 the Nature Center located at 11501 Cypress Avenue
will host the 12th annual Arbor Day Event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Arbor Day was first introduced by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1874
and followed with a national celebration in 1882.
Locally, it is observed with an annual educational and outreach event. A
proclamation from the Mayor is read. Children play games while special characters or program
representatives visit the location. To find out more about the 2008 event, please call the
Nature Center at (909) 428-8386.
Facts about Fontana as an Environmental Steward:
From 1920-1930 1 million trees were planted as Fontana streets were developed.
Fontana is a twelve year member of Tree City USA, a program offered through
the National Arbor Day Association. Membership requirements include: a yearly application
that proves the city has hosted an annual Arbor Day Proclamation and celebration, a tree
board, a tree ordinance, and community forestry program with an annual budget of at least
$2 per capita.
In 2006 and 2007 the City of Fontana won the national Cans
for Cash recycling contest sponsored by the U.S. Council of Mayors, Novelis, and
Keep America Beautiful. Each winning city receives a cash award to use in recycling and
educational outreach programs. In October, 2007 the City of Fontana recycled 745,000 pounds
of aluminum for the Cans for Cash drive. The amount surpassed previous years' totals.
The City of Fontana has an environmental program offered through the Public
Works department. To find out about recycling or events, please visit http://www.fontana.org/main/pw_environ/comcleanuprecycling.htm
In 2008, the City of Fontana Purchasing Department will be paperless, producing
bids and forms in an electronic format. The City's Annual Report will also be made available
in electronic format. 68,000 copies were not put into print which saved tax payers money
and helped save natural resources.
The City of Fontana offers a free monthly e-newsletter delivered straight
to your email. To register visit www.fontana.org, click
on Community Connection and scroll to the bottom of the page to begin the registration process.
From 2007-2008 1,000 trees will be planted in the new Fontana Park at Lytle
Creek and Summit Avenue.
City employees have access to a network of transportation options through the
Rideshare program. Every month employees report the number of days they carpooled, used public
transit, bicycled, walked, skated, or ran to work.
The City of Fontana works closely with Burrtec Waste and the San Bernardino
County to provide biannual community cleanups which help to safely keep household hazardous
wastes (HHW) such as chemicals, batteries, oil, and more out of landfills. The next event will
be Saturday, April 12th at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), 13373 Napa Street from 8:00
am to 1:00 pm. HHW is accepted for free on Saturdays from 8 am to noon at the Public Works
Center 16454 Orange Way. A reuse center and free mulch giveaway (when available) are given
to residents at the same time and location.
The Mary Vagle Nature Center hosts the annual Arbor Day celebration and offers
year-round scouting programs, evening star parties, special hikes and more. In 2008, the youth-based
Eco Team will be in full swing to assist center visitors, offer tours, or mentor younger students.
To find out more, please call (909) 428-8386.
The City of Fontana is one of fifteen cities along with the County of San Bernardino
registered with Zero Waste Communities . All cities enrolled in the program are
dedicated to educating the public about recycling and waste as well as protecting the environment.
To find out more please visit www.zerowastecommunities.org.
The City of Fontana and many of its local developers support the new Green
San Bernardino County campaign which is now online at www.greencountysb.com.
Nonprofit sports groups and clubs receive Rewards for Recycling in the form
of gift cards when they recycle bottles and cans at the MRF. The City will double the amount
of money for the group or club.
While Earth Day is every day, it is officially celebrated around the globe
on April 22. To find out about a local event, please visit the Mary Vagle Nature Center at
11501 Cypress Avenue.
