Hundreds of people attended from all across Los Angeles to what actor/environmentalist. noted is the center of Los Angeles.
"This spot is the center of Los Angeles, and it's appropriate that we have an event like this that educates the city and the world," said Begley about the TreePeople event held in Coldwater Canyon Park in Studio City. "This is the physical center of the whole city, and there are so many things you can learn here today."
Different from Earth Day or other environmental events, TreePeople founder and president Andy Lipkis called this first a free family-friendly event to "bring together residents from all across Los Angeles to empower them with the knowledge to implement sustainable solutions at home, work and in their community to grow a greener city."
Lipkis added, "The world is different when Earth Day first began because now people know that every day should be Earth Day and that we need to care about the environment every day. It also doesn't cost a whole lot of money . . . This city can change the world. You can do it one tree at a time."
He said that with the international community in Los Angeles, it is even more important to educate locals and share information to the rest of the world.
Lipkis founded the TreePeople 41 years ago. He said now with 33 ex-pat communities having the second-largest populations outside of their original countries right here in the Los Angeles area, the innovations on the environment and recycling practices locally can spread globally.
Musicians played at the Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre, plants were handed out, and an exhibit showed off snakes and spiders.
The day consisted of workshops about greywater, hikes for children, demonstrations of rainwater collection tanks and more than 60 vendors and exhibitors.
Begley signed autographs and greeted exhibitors and fellow environmentalists and discussed ways that he has helped the environment and save money in the process.
"It's one thing to say that you are helping the environment, but when you can prove that you can save money as well, then people really want to listen," Begley said.
The event was sponsored by the Gas Company, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Energy Upgrade California, Southern California Edison, Boeing, Wells Fargo and Whole Food.
