03/15/12 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- Times are tough and businesses and homes alike are always looking for ways to save money. What if there was a way to save money and be eco-friendly in the process?

Eco-Consultant, Rebecca Ford will present "Green Money" at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. KWEC is a branch of Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History located near Great Bend.

"So many of us have the attitude that we are not going to make a difference," said Eric Giesing, education director at KWEC. "The reality is that if everyone had that attitude then we would have a big problem. The simple things we do to be greener add up and make a big difference that helps the greater good."

Ford's fast-paced presentation will focus on a comprehensive and practical set of instructions that will cut energy expenses. In addition to specific action steps, she'll cover some of the good and not-so-good products and gadgets.

"It's not as difficult as most people think," said Eric Giesing. "We think being 'green' takes more time, more money and more energy, but if we make a few easy changes, after awhile we don't have to think about it and it saves us thousands of dollars."

This program is offered free of charge thanks to a $1,400 grant from the Golden Belt Community Foundation. In addition to the "Green Money" program, the grant also allowed for a cooking class, recycling program and a documentary.

"Barton County doesn't have much in the way of 'green' programs," said Eric Giesing. "We tried to develop programs that would interest the widest variety of people and would promote greener habits for the residents of this area."

For more information, contact KWEC at 620-786-7456 or bye-mail at ergiesing@fhsu.edu.

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