April 20, 2023 ~ Celebrating Earth Day & Community Connection
April 20th Honor Student-Led Questa Community Clean-up and Beautification
On Thursday, April 20th from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, community members are invited to join Questa Junior-Senior Honor Society Students, Village of Questa Beautification Committee, LEAP and local Churches in a Community-Wide clean-up and beautification effort. All are invited! Let’s come together in solidarity with thousands of other communities around the world to celebrate Community Connection and Earth Day.
The day will include trash pick-up along Hwy 522, Hwy 38 and around Eagle Rock Lake, led by the Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society and members of the Questa Beautification Committee. At the Questa Municipal Park there will be trash pick-up, invasive plant species removal, irrigation repair and more at the Questa Municipal Park, led by LEAP. Cleaning and beautifying our community is our goal, but equally important is staying safe, having fun, strengthening friendships, and coming together to shape the future we want for our community. This clean-up day is one of many local events and efforts organized by the Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society this spring. The Village of Questa Beautification Committee will host regular clean-up days once a month throughout the summer and fall.
Part of the March 1 Questa Beautification Crew: Councilwoman Gonzales and her 2 kids, Amalia Gonzalez, Robert (Robbie) Ortega, Kingston, and Casey (Soupman) Eason at Questa Veteran’s Memorial Park, photo by Councilman Gonzalez
Lunch for volunteers will be provided midday (soup, sandwiches etc.). Bring a water bottle, layers for weather, hat and sun protection, and if you have them, work gloves, and yard cleaning tools; we’ll have additional tools and trash clean-up supplies on hand as well.
The first Earth Day was celebrated 53 years ago on April 22, 1970. This holiday was created by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, to mark the importance of keeping our planet healthy and clean, and for people to renew their commitment to make positive changes in their communities.
Questa Park Volunteers taking a break and surveying their accomplishments from the day, April 30, 2022, photo by Claire Coté
Community Connection Days are collaborative, intergenerational days of community give-back and celebration, taking place in and around Questa. Each gathering is an opportunity to connect with friends and make new ones, to care for and improve our public spaces and envision together what we want for our community.
This effort is made possible by collaborators Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society, Village of Questa, Taos County Solid Waste, LEAP, Localogy, Local Churches, North Central Food Pantry, and many Community Volunteers. The Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society activities are sponsored by the LOR Foundation. LEAP’s clean-up and beautification efforts at the Questa Municipal Park is funded by Chevron Grants for Good through Taos Community Foundation as well as individual donors.
We look forward to beautifying Questa with you on Thursday, April 20th! Thanks to all involved for making this community effort possible. Next month, join in the May Community Connection Day in downtown Questa preparing the Questa Farmers Market, Visitor Center and Village Center for opening Memorial Day weekend.
Please insert these details in an info box:
What: Honor Student-Led Questa Clean-up and Beautification
Where: Eagle Rock Lake, Hwy 522 and 38, Questa Municipal Park
When: Thursday April 20th, 9:30 am – 2:30 PM
Who: Everyone welcome!
Cost: Free
Info: Facebook + www.LEAPsite.org
Councilman Gonzalez, Village of Questa Beautification Committee, 575-741-5013
Santana Santistevan, Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society, 575-779-5601
Claire Coté, LEAP, 575-224-9066 – Questa Municipal Park
Photo Credits and Captions:
- Questa Park Volunteers taking a break and surveying their accomplishments from the day, April 30, 2022, photo by Claire Coté
- Part of the March 1 Questa Beautification Crew: Councilwoman Gonzales and her 2 kids, Amalia Gonzalez, Robert (Robbie) Ortega, Kingston, and Casey (Soupman) Eason at Questa Veteran’s Memorial Park, photo by Councilman Gonzalez
LEAP 