Including lawn mower exchange program
The City of Lancaster is hosting a variety of events in honor of Earth Day, including a community clean-up on April 29 from 8 a.m. to noon, a coloring contest with $1,000 total in prizes, and a gas-powered lawn mower exchange program in partnership with AVAQMD (Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District).
This clean-up effort follows one of Lancaster’s largest annual events: the California Poppy Festival™. The city is fresh off celebrating California’s beloved state flower, and this year’s breathtaking bloom has reminded the Lancaster community of the importance of caring for our environment and our hometown.
This year’s Earth Day event is centered around taking the time to tidy up and take care of our planet, which is crucial in ensuring that future generations can enjoy Lancaster's landscape.
“We are blessed with a bounty of natural beauty in Lancaster,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Just as I encourage the community to get out there and enjoy the sights, I also call on Lancaster to leave the natural world better than we found it.”
To participate in the community clean-up, residents are encouraged to clean up their homes, neighborhoods, and local community spaces before the event on April 29.
During the event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., participants can come together to drop off collected, non-hazardous waste at the City’s Maintenance Yard (615 West Ave H), where the City will provide large dumpsters in partnership with Lancaster’s waste collector Waste management. Those interested in the coloring contest or the AVAQMD equipment exchange program can learn more and participate by visiting www.cityoflancasterca.gov/earthday before April 29.
Over the years, Lancaster has established itself as a sustainability and clean energy leader. The City has taken advantage of its abundant sunlight to create numerous solar energy opportunities, including solar farms, an ordinance requiring solar on all new homes, and an offer for existing power customers to make the switch to solar for free through the City’s Power Choice program.
City officials have also partnered with local school districts to bring solar panels to all 26 of Lancaster’s schools, saving the district $1 million in under three years. These efforts have made Lancaster the nation’s first net-zero energy city, meaning that it generates more energy than it consumes.
“I’ve been honored to lead Lancaster’s sustainability efforts over the years,” said Lancaster Mayor Parris. “Our city already has a lot to be proud of, and our upcoming Earth Day cleanup event is the perfect way to express the pride we feel in our community and live out our motto of creating a better tomorrow, together.”
Learn more about Lancaster’s Earth Day Celebration and pick up some eco-friendly tips at www.cityoflancasterca.gov/earthday.
