El Paso’s first-ever virtual Environmental Summit 2021 is right around the corner, with Green Hope Project’s Environmental Summit & Trash to Treasure Awards (T2T) Ceremony this weekend.
Originally scheduled for April 2020, the summit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions.
Organizers say that, with this summit, Green Hope Project hopes to bring environmental awareness and art together through providing the community with workshops presented by various local organizations.
The kickoff will be on April 17th from 10 am-12 pm with 48 workshops throughout the months of April and May. Guest speakers will be US Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, Earthship Architect Michael Reynolds, and Ellen Smyth – Environmental Services Department Managing Director.
Both Rep. Escobar and Smyth, will make opening remarks to kick off the summit. This will be followed by the Summit’s Keynote Speaker, Reynolds, creator/architect of the Earthships – houses made from recycled tires, soda cans and glass bottles.
T2T V’s awards ceremony will also take place during the live kickoff, which can be accessed through Green Hope Project’s website: www.greenhopeproject.org
Green Hope Project will announce an essay contest that will send the winner to study in Taos, NM at the Earthship Academy, where they will learn how to build one of the structures for 4 weeks.
Candace Printz, President of Green Hope Project, will then present the Trash to Treasure contest winners with over $1500 and open the full art gallery online for public viewing.
“We are happy to still have the opportunity to host El Paso’s first-ever virtual Environmental Summit this year. We did not want to miss this chance to highlight and celebrate the creativity and environmental awareness that exists in our community,” Printz said. “We hope that the scheduled workshops will give people motivation and ideas for how they can contribute to their community. The current pandemic has shown us that our community is strong and resilient, when we work together.”
As for the environmental presentations that will take place throughout April and May, officials say there will be children and family workshops, where science and art supplies will be provided to attendees, outdoor workshops at state parks, composting workshops, gardening workshops, solar cooking workshops and advocacy workshops.
Organizers add that those who attend the live stream and workshops will have the opportunity to win giveaways, gift certificates, art gifts, environmental gifts, GHP swag and more
For more information, please e-mail [email protected], follow us on social media, sign up for their newsletter, or visit the Green Hope Project website.
Green Hope Project wants to thank Teachers Federal Credit Union, Environmental Services Department, Sir Realistic Productions, Earthship Biotecture, ZoOM Studio Design, GroWild at Sierra Vista Growers, Insights, Monica E. Gomez, The Frontera Land Alliance, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department-Franklin Mountains State Park, Super Chef Catering, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, Eco El Paso, Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, El Paso Audubon, EPCC staff, Gertrud Konings, El Paso Water and the Chamizal National Memorial.
