Earth Day: Kids learn to respect the environment

Families take in a petting zoo and conservation demonstrations at Connolly Ranch

Sunday, April 18, 2004
By CARLOS VILLATORO Register Staff Writer

Twelve-year-old Cody Gaf-fney wasn't playing with model cities just for fun. He did it to celebrate Earth Day and to teach kids and adults alike what happens to Napa County's water supply when harmful chemicals, found in everything from garden fertilizers to car-wash soaps, are washed into by the rain. "I like the outdoors," Cody said, holding his array of Kool-Aid-filled salt shakers that he uses in his demonstrations. Helping Cody was his dad Bill Gaffney, who is a pollution prevention and source control officer at the Napa Sanitation District's waste water treatment plant. Father and son told the crowd that rains will wash harmful chemicals down the drain making it difficult to treat the water. "Kids teaching kids, that's what we're after," Bill said, The father-and-son team weren't at it alone. One thousand or more Napans were out and about celebrating Earth Day at the Connolly Ranch, a 12-acre working farm nestled in Browns Valley. For years, the Land Trust of Napa County has hosted Earth Day celebrations at Connolly Ranch, giving Napa County youths the chance to experience what it's like to be on a farm. "I think it's important that the public stops and reflects on the condition of our planet," said Debbie Stup, event spokesperson. Stup said that the Earth Day event was great for children and families because it gave them a chance to learn how they can help the environment. Other earth-loving Napans echo her statements. "It's a chance to teach children about taking care of the earth and how connected we are to it," said Barbara Dondero, who was wandering around the farm with her daughter Nora. "I think it's important to learn about animals (and) where food comes from." Connolly Ranch is a good place to do just that. The ranch is laden with many petting-zoo type animals including pigs, goats, donkeys, sheep and others, along with vegetable gardens and other vegetation. UC Master gardeners were on hand teaching good gardening practices. "We are teaching people how to grow their own food," master gardener Penny Pawl said. Pawl was also teaching about worm composting, a technique used by gardeners to get rid of garbage by feeding it to worms.