Upcoming State and Local Air Quality Awareness
Week Activities

To be added to the 2012 Air Quality Awareness Week list of events, please contact Debra Lee at lee.debra@epa.gov.

Alabama

Jefferson County, Alabama

On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) will participate in Auntie Litter's 20th Annual Earth Day Parade and Celebration. The celebration includes live entertainment, science shows, costume contests, educational exhibits, and the nation's largest Earth Day parade for children. JCDH will speak to and distribute educational information to around 2,000 area children at the event.

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, JCDH, in conjunction with the Alabama Partners for Clean Air (APCA), will host a free Air Quality Expo at the Pepper Place Farmer's Market in Birmingham. Highlights of the Expo include: free vehicle emissions testing, a viewing of several alternative fuel vehicles, free asthma and health screening vouchers, information on air quality forecasts and better commuting habits, and plenty of giveaways.

Several media interviews, both television and radio, will be done during National Air Quality Awareness week to raise awareness about air quality.


Florida

Hillsborough County:
The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPC) is pleased to host the 11th Annual Clean Air Fair to be held again in downtown Tampa on May 3, 2012.  This free lunchtime event is presented in celebration of May as Clean Air Month in Tampa Bay.  This year’s theme is “Fueling Our Future for a Brighter Tomorrow” and is meant to focus on the use of cleaner fuels and alternative technologies to help reduce air pollution.

Also present at the fair will be the finalists from EPC’s 11th Annual Environmental Photography Contest.  The contest is offered to local high school students by EPC, in conjunction with the Hillsborough County School System, in an effort to recognize Clean Air Month and encourage increased awareness of environmental concerns.

Broward County:
May 1st South Florida Commuter Services Event at Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 from 11:30 – 1:30. Join the Broward County Air Quality Program for a lunchtime event. Highlights include air quality and climate change information, Enviroflash sign-up, and a Clean Air Challenge sponsored by South Florida Commuter Services.

May 2nd Air Quality Awareness Month Kick-Off Event at Broward County Water & Wastewater Services, 2555 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL from 11:00 am—1:00 pm. Educational event for employees and customers to provide information about the air quality & climate change and highlight organizations that support environmental protection in our community.
Also, we will have educational displays with literature at the following libraries in Broward County, FL

    Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
    West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Boulevard, Plantation
    Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs
    North Regional Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard, Coconut Creek
    Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines
    South Regional Library, 7300 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines

Illinois

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has once again proclaimed the month of May as Air Quality Awareness Month in Illinois.  The Illinois EPA will be promoting the Illinois EnviroFlash system throughout the month.  In addition, the Illinois Partners for Clean Air coalition, chaired by the Illinois EPA, will launch an Air Quality Awareness Month media campaign in the Chicago metropolitan area, encouraging residents to “Get to Know Your Air Quality.”  An Air Quality Awareness event will be held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on May 9th.  Residents can sign-up onsite for Illinois EnviroFlash and play a game to win a prize from Illinois Partners for Clean Air.  For more information, visit www.cleantheair.org!


New Jersey

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has declared April 30th – May 4th Air Quality Awareness Week 2012.


North Carolina

Corinth Holders Elementary in Johnston County has scheduled a flag event on April 23 at 9:30 to kick off their participation in the School Flag Program.


Ohio

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC is kicking off Air Quality Awareness week with the beginning of an innovative new campaign, Five Days of Freedom. Five Days of Freedom asks central Ohioans to commit to spending five days of any week between now and the end of October using any form of transportation other than driving alone. Participants are able to reduce air pollution, declare their freedom from congestion and high gas prices, and learn more about alternative transportation in their communities.

Those interested in pledging Five Days of Freedom can sign up on line at www.morpc.org/5. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a free Giant Cypress bicycle courtesy of Cyclist Connection in Canal Winchester as well as other prizes throughout the campaign. For more information about Five Days of Freedom or alternative transportation options in central Ohio, contact Evelyn Ebert, MORPC Air Quality Program Coordinator at eebert@morpc.org .

Oklahoma

On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the Air Quality Division will co-sponsor ScienceFest at the Oklahoma City Zoo. ScienceFest is a day of interactive science and environmental activities focusing onair quality awareness, the conservation of natural resources, and the use of alternative energies. More than 4000 fourth and fifth grade students from across Oklahoma have registered to attend.

Texas

Be Air Aware with Air North Texas and take action on Air Pollution Watch days. Do at least one thing to improve air quality, i.e. take your lunch to work or avoid idling your car. Learn more and make your commitments online at www.airnorthtexas.org.