DEP's Great Parks Pursuit back for Earth Day

The state Department of Environmental Protection has started registration for the 2010 Great Park Pursuit and announced plans for Connecticut's celebration of the 40th Earth Day April 22.

"The DEP is excited to announce both the return of the Great Park Pursuit and special activities to celebrate Earth Day," DEP Commissioner Amey Marrella said during an event Friday at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill.

The Great Park Pursuit, in its fifth year, is a seven-week outdoor contest for families and children in state parks and forests from May 8 to June 19. It is the centerpiece of the DEP's No Child Left Inside initiative to encourage children to spend more time outdoors.

During the contest, families follow clues that take them around the state visiting state parks and forests over a seven-week period. The first event will take place May 8 at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. For the events on four of the seven weeks, DEP staff and volunteers will run organized activities for the entire family. For the other three weeks, families will be given instructions on activities to do on their own.

To register for the Great Park Pursuit, visit: www.NoChildLeftInside.org.

Earth Day will be celebrated at the State Capitol with a day of environmental activities open to all Connecticut residents. Organized by the DEP, events will include a youth forum of high school students talking to legislators, displays and exhibits from the DEP and other environmental groups, panel discussions on environmental topics, among other activities.

Information on the Earth Day celebration can be found at: www.ct.gov/dep/earthday.