Local First Arizona Hosting Virtual 50th Earth Day Anniversary Celebration
Featuring a musical performance by Joey Burns of Calexico and Business Climate Action Panel
Phoenix, AZ — On Apr. 22, 2020, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Local First Arizona is hosting a virtual celebration to discuss how Arizona businesses are addressing climate change. While communities are navigating the extreme impacts of COVID-19, Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on how to address and adapt to the other major global threats happening right now — the climate crisis — and get inspired by sustainable, resilient businesses across the state.
WHAT: Earth Day Arizona: Celebrating 50 Years
WHERE: www.facebook.com/LocalFirstAZ
WHEN: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
WHO: Hotel Congress (Tucson), Fairtrade Cafe (Phoenix), Arizona Apparel Foundation (Tempe), NexVeg (Flagstaff), Popcycle (Tucson)
WHY: To raise funds for the statewide Small Business Relief Fund, celebrate 50 years of climate action and resilience in Arizona, and highlight green local businesses.
“Local First Arizona is responding to the COVID-19 crisis by developing programs and resources that ensure businesses are supported to the fullest extent. Our work has always been focused on supporting strong local economies and communities that are diverse and inclusive and ensure all people can thrive. Now, our programs are expanding in real-time to adapt to the changing world and support businesses to navigate and thrive in uncertain times. Through partnerships and collaboration, we are here to provide the tools needed for rebuilding more sustainable and resilient businesses for a healthier world as we celebrate 50 years of Earth Day and look to the future for better possibilities,” says Statewide Sustainability Director Mike Peel.
Local First Arizona will be expanding its efforts for economic and environmental resilience in Tucson by launching the Southern Arizona Green Business Leaders Program and growing its SCALE-UP educational series. In the Greater Phoenix area, expanding the Arizona Green Business Program and hosting a new virtual sustainability series focused on Community Supported Agriculture, food waste, home energy audits, water conservation and more.
“Hotel Congress has been a steward of our community and the environment for over 100 years. And during a bittersweet time when we all are struggling with the social, economic and cultural impact of the COVID-19, we also have seen firsthand the ability of Mother Earth to restore, as well as her resiliency. Hotel Congress and our leadership are re-energized and motivated to not only be innovative around our business through the use of our online grocery store but also further the mission of safeguarding our environment for generations to come,” says Todd Hanley of Hotel Congress.
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ABOUT LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA
Founded in 2003 by Kimber Lanning, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. LFA educates consumers about the interconnectedness of the economy, trains small businesses to be more effective and more competitive, helps larger Arizona businesses and institutions tell their story as champions of Arizona, and creates programs and events that make it fun and easy to discover local businesses and buy local. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally owned businesses.