DOINews: DOI, OPM, GSA Celebrate Earth Day 2015 at Rawlins Park

On April 22, 2015, the Department of the Interior once again collaborated with the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration to host an event to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day. This year's theme was "It's our Turn to Lead." Participating in the festivities from DOI were representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Policy, Management and Budget's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance; and Office of Facilities and Administrative Services. A host of nonprofit organizations also participated in the day's events.

From left, Katherine Archuleta, director, OPM; Denise Turner-Roth, acting administrator, GSA; and Kristen J. Sarri, principal deputy assistant secretary, Policy, Management and Budget, DOI, join in the festivities. All took time out of their busy schedules to engage with participants and to show their support for their respective agencies. Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided participants with information on fish and aquatic conservation, endangered species, migratory birds, monarch butterflies and other pollinators, as well as its wildlife and sport restoration program. The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance was also on hand to provide information on DOI's sustainability efforts and to hand out products made from recycled materials. The Office of Facilities and Administrative Services distributed oranges and water to highlight DOI's composting efforts, which were donated by the Interior Federal Credit Union, and DOI's Bison Bistro cafeteria, respectively.

Standing behind recycling bins DOI provided for eyeglasses, alkaline and non-alkaline batteries, and injet cartridges are, from left, Mary Josie Blanchard, Kristen J. Sarri, Lajuan Randolph, Antoinette Powell, Jerold Ivey and Mike Crowley. Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI.

GSA exhibited two fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel vehicles in Rawlins Park. The first vehicle was a Chevrolet Volt, which is a vehicle with both electric and gasoline capability. The second vehicle was a Ford CMAX, which can operate on electricity for 20 miles and then operate on gasoline. Both vehicles can greatly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and petroleum consumption.

Representatives from the Can Manufacturers Institute; the Conservation Fund; D.C. Public Works - Office of Recycling; the Earth Day Network; the Environmental and Energy Study Institute; the Environmental Law Institute; and the National Parks Conservation Association also participated to share information about environmental advocacy, conservation, recycling, and other sustainability issues.

To learn more about DOI's sustainability efforts, and how you can help, go to doi.gov/greening.

By: Lajuan Randolph and Gregory Hitchcock, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance
April 30, 2015