Statement issued Tuesday:

April 22 is Earth Day, and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) staff will be reaching out with classroom presentations to help schools celebrate the annual event. IDEM’s Community Health and Education staff will be scheduling the Earth Day presentations for two weeks leading up to the holiday, from Monday, April 11, through Thursday, April 21, 2011.

Schools can choose from presentations on several topics, including air quality, water quality, land quality and recycling. Lesson plans are made for grades K through 6 and include educational games, such as Environmental Jeopardy, and interactive art projects, such as creating an edible landfill, that teach students about the environment while also helping them learn about possible environmental careers. Presentations are from 30 to 50 minutes, are free, and each school may request up to four.

“Earth Day gives us an excellent opportunity to highlight environmental education and help children learn about recycling and pollution prevention,” said Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner. “We want to team up with educators to reinforce positive habits in children. We want to share simple but meaningful steps people of all ages can take to protect the quality of Indiana’s air, land and water.”

To register for an Earth Day program, teachers should complete the IDEM Earth Day Celebration Speaker Reservation form, located online at www.in.gov/icpr/webfile/formsdiv/53454.pdf, and fax the completed form to IDEM at (317) 233-5627. The public can call (800) 988-7901, ext. 3-5433, with questions.

About IDEM

IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.