By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful welcomed families from across the region Saturday to its 16th annual Eco Harvest at Ogletree Gap Preserve, featuring educational booths, guided trail tours, a Scout campsite and ending with a Recycled fashion show.
The event began 16 years ago after Silvia Roads, KCCB’s first executive director, attended Rabbit Fest and wondered whether it would be possible to organize an eco-friendly festival centered on sustainability education, according to KCCB’S current Executive Director Anna Rodriguez.
Eco Harvest started as a weekday event that invited local third graders from Copperas Cove elementary schools to learn about sustainability.
“What the commissioners wanted to do was, how do we incorporate a fashion show, but also open it up to the public rather than just the schools,” said Rodriguez.
The event is open to families from Copperas Cove and the surrounding region. This year’s booths included the CenTex Sustainable Community Partnerships, as well as the city’s MS4 department, who explained how pollutants entering storm drains can reach local waterways.
Other participants included Copperas Cove Code Compliance, Muddy Boots 4-H, the National Honor Society, the Copperas Cove High School Science National Honor Society, the Five Hills Garden Club, the Copperas Cove Community Garden Initiative, the Central Texas Council of Governments, Fort Hood Recycle, Fort Hood Natural Resources, the Copperas Cove Lions Club and the Democrats of Copperas Cove.
The Copperas Cove Rotary Club served free hot dogs, and the city’s Solid Waste department brought its trucks for visitors to see up close.
Andi Klein represented the Five Hills Garden Club, which meets monthly at the Copperas Cove Public Library. Members share gardening ideas and offer classes, and the club is working on an initiative to establish a community garden in the city. Klein has been involved with the club for about two years.
Klein said the club’s work and Eco Harvest Fest were a natural fit.
“It works hand in hand because we recycle everything,” she said.
This year marked the first Eco Harvest Fest for the Democrats of Copperas Cove, said Sheena Tanner. Volunteers helped visitors make seed bombs using dirt, clay and birdseed. After drying for two days, the seed bombs can be placed outside in early winter, where birds can eat the seeds.
Tanner said she appreciates KCCB hosting the event each year.
“I love it. I think it’s a great outreach for kids, and really just to remind even adults, too, to take the time to acknowledge what we’re living on and to take care of our planet,” she said. “It’s a good reminder.”
Scout troops 251, 224 and 253 set up camp the night before the event with permission from the Parks Department. The Scouts demonstrated how to camp while leaving no trace and led guided tours along a short portion of the Ogletree Gap hike-and-bike trail system. The trail system stretches for miles, and the tours introduced visitors to the area’s natural features and history.
Members of the Copperas Cove Citizens Police Academy Alumni staffed the gate and offered rides around the grounds.
The event’s biggest draw was the recycled fashion show, which began at noon. Outfits had to be made of at least 75 percent recycled items and be family-friendly. Copperas Cove City Council members Howard Hawk, Mayor Pro Tem Vonya Hart and Dale Treadway judged this year’s show.
Rodriguez said Eco Harvest helps promote sustainable practices and encourages residents to care for their environment.
“Just take a look at Copperas Cove. It is beautiful, and it’s because there are people taking care of it, nurturing it,” she said. “Really, it’s to teach younger kids how to take care of the environment, how to live a sustainable life, how to put less items into the landfills. How can we educate our citizens and the young ones on how to take care of our planet- it’s the only one we’ve got. ”
KCCB has two more events planned for next month:
The Fall Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8 to 10 a.m., beginning at City Hall, 914 S. Main St. Volunteers of all ages will help clean up and beautify the city, followed by a pancake and sausage breakfast.
The citywide Household Hazardous Waste and Cleanup Day, known as B.O.P.A. (battery, oil, paint and antifreeze), is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Solid Waste Transfer Station, 2605 S. FM 116. Proof of residency is required.
Accepted items include household junk, furniture, recycling, computers, cooking oil and appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and air conditioners. The appliances must have their compressors removed. Brush and yard waste is limited to two pickup truckloads and must be placed in kraft bags. Central Texas Shredding will provide bulk shredding.
Tires will be accepted for a fee: $5.89 for tires 22.5 inches and smaller, $13.75 for tires larger than 22.5 inches and up to 24.5 inches, and $39.30 for tires larger than 24.5 inches. Rimmed tires carry an additional $30 surcharge.
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