Gaithersburg Green Week (a variety of events happening all week long)

The City of Gaithersburg invites you to participate in activities that celebrate and improve the environment during Gaithersburg Green Week, May 2 through 7, 2011. In addition to being fun and educational, it's also a great way for school children to earn service learning credits while making our community a better place to live.

Environmental Awards Ceremony - Monday, May 2 at 6:15 p.m. in the City Hall Gallery

Gaithersburg encourages citizens to nominate an individual, business, school, homeowners association, or scouting group for the Tenth Annual Environmental Awards. Each year, the Mayor and City Council and Environmental Affairs Committee recognize individuals and groups for their commitment to the environment.  Awards will be presented at a special reception on Monday, May 2 from 6:15 to 7 p.m. in the City Hall Gallery, 31 South Summit Avenue.  Nomination forms are available on Gaithersburg's Environmental Services page.  Deadline for submission is Friday, April 15.  This program is sponsored by Gaithersburg's Environmental Affairs Committee.

• Environmental Awards - Information and Nomination Form

Green Week and Arbor Day Proclamation - Monday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers

The Mayor and City Council will designate May 2 – 7 as “Gaithersburg Green Week” in the City of Gaithersburg.  Green Week festivities to celebrate and improve the environment will be announced at that time, including environmental awards, stream, park, and school cleanups, and planting projects.

Arbor Day Celebration - TBA

Children at a local school will participate in an Arbor Day program emphasizing the importance of trees in our community.   During the assembly, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will present the City with its 22nd Annual Tree City Award and the Mayor will donate a tree to the school.

Green Youth Service Project - TBA

Green volunteer activities go hand-in-hand with the environmentally friendly characteristics of the Robertson Park Youth Center and the Youth Center in Olde Towne.  The Gaithersburg Youth Club (GYC) is a program designed specifically for middle school students to provide safe, well-supervised and fun activities for participants during their off-school hours.  GYC students will earn student service learning hours by participating in community clean up efforts.

Environmental Film Night – Friday, May 6 – Time and location TBA

The City of Gaithersburg and Kentlands GO GREEN Group present Environmental Film Night.

Join us for a special screening of the film “A Chemical Reaction,” a feature documentary movie that tells the story of one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America.  The film follows the story of Hudson Bay, Quebec, and its fight to ban the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the community, a struggle which ultimately made its way to the Supreme Court.  “A Chemical Reaction” is a heartwarming, inspirational, human-interest story about the origin of the natural lawn care movement in Canada and the United States.

Free children’s crafts will be available during the screening of the movie.  For more information or to register, please contact Gaithersburg Environmental Services at 301-258-6330.

Community Green Up Day - Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon

Join hundreds of volunteers as they make a difference throughout the community by cleaning up and beautifying local streams, schools, parks, and homeowners association common areas during Community Green Up Day, Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.   The City is looking for event volunteers. Students can also earn student service learning credits.