Crush, STAR ECO’s largest Sulcatta tortoise is trading in his room key at the ECO Station in exchange for a spot in the home of a wonderful family.  When Crush heard that the new digs offered him plenty of space, three desert tortoise friends, and a lush garden full of hibiscus flowers (his personal favorite), Crush ground the dirt under his foot and said, “Crush dig lush—where do I sign?” He couldn’t hold a pen, but he managed well enough. 

Before Crush joined the ECO family, he spent his days in a 2’x2’ tank, which resulted in his insufficient muscle tone for a tortoise his size.  He developed a malformed shell due to improper diet and lack of calcium early in life.  Crush will benefit substantially from the sunshine and roaming room he will have in the new place, and with his suntan and new muscles, has already made plans to join next year’s Tan and Toned Reptile Extravaganza.  All the tortoise girls will surely have a crush on Crush. 

The

STAR ECO is seeking a display case or donations toward a case purchase so that we can show Mz. Dorothy in all her mammal glory. 

STAR ECO Station recently received a large tank as a donation from one of our ECO-pals.  We are seeking donations to build a steel stand, which will hold the tank most securely, or monetary contributions.  We’ll need $800 to build our own steel stand, so we need your help! 

STAR ECO Station has a few extra teeth on the premises these days.  On Thursday, May 22^nd, 10 baby alligators were rescued and Fed-Exed to California all the way from Texas!  The rescue and delivery were orchestrated by the Department of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, who, along with Animal Control, came to the ECO Station to bring the alligators to their newest residence.  The 10 alligators are now chilling in STAR ECO Station Quarantine for health evaluations and overall physical assessment.  All we can tell right now is that they’re green, scaly, and sport a devious grin that makes you wonder—just what are they thinking…? 

Well, if May is Earth Month around here at ECO, then June is OCEAN MONTH!  Join us on Thursday, June 5^th from 10am to 2pm for World Ocean Day, at which 1200 of our students will gather in celebration of those life-giving waters of our Earth.  Then come again on Saturday, June 7^th for another World Ocean Day, at which some of our partners and environmental heroes will host booths and offer information about the oceans we often take for granted.  We’ve got some new exhibitors this year, including the California Science Center, so make sure you stop by to take part in the fun.  Also on Saturday, June 7^th, come join us at STAR Prep Academy (you know, that great school down the hall from STAR ECO Station…) which will be involved in the World Fair, at which you’ll find more booths, more people, more FUN!   

It’s going to be a GOOD, GREAT, WONDERFUL time! 

Saturday, May 17^th through Sunday, May 18^th, STAR ECO Station will be helping inspire local families at the Whole Children Whole Planet event at the Premier Natural Parenting and Family Expo held at Highland Hall Waldorf School in Northridge, California.  This event is designed to educate about the benefits of sustainable living practices, organic foods, health and environmental issues, and many other things!  STAR ECO Station will be bringing its award-winning walk-through rainforest to this event consisting of 200 exhibitors.  It’s sure to be an out-roundishly good time! 

The answer is the World Harmony Run, and STAR ECO Station is one of the end points this year!  “The World Harmony Run is a global torch relay that symbolizes humanity’s universal aspiration for a more harmonious world.”[i]  All are welcome to take part, whether short, tall, fast, slow, young or old—come and join us!  It is through action that the message may be heard through the tumult and violence of the world.  What the world needs now…is harmony.     

[i] From the World Harmony Run pamphlet produced by World Harmony Run Global Headquarters.

ECO Makes the Rounds for Children ‘Round the World 

Saturday, May 17^th through Sunday, May 18^th, STAR ECO Station will be helping inspire local families at the Whole Children Whole Planet event at the Premier Natural Parenting and Family Expo held at Highland Hall Waldorf School in Northridge, California.  This event, designed to educate about the benefits of sustainable living practices, organic foods, health and environmental issues, and many other things!  STAR ECO Station will be bringing its award-winning walk-through rainforest to this event consisting of 200 exhibitors.  It’s sure to be an out-roundishly good time!   

Our World Oceans—Not Just Something to be Washed Away 

Well, if May is Earth Month around here at ECO, then June is OCEAN MONTH!  Join us on Thursday, June 5^th from 10am to 2pm for World Ocean Day, at which 1200 of our students will gather in celebration of those life-giving waters of our Earth.  Then come again on Saturday, June 7^th for another World Ocean Day, at which some of our partners and environmental heroes will host booths and offer information about the oceans we often take for granted.  We’ve got some new exhibitors this year, including the California Science Center, so make sure you stop by to take part in the fun.  Also on Saturday, June 7^th, come join us at STAR Prep Academy (you know, that great school down the hall from STAR ECO Station…) which will be involved in the World Fair, at which you’ll find more booths, more people, more FUN!   

It’s sure to be a GOOD, GREAT, WONDERFUL time! 

Come join STAR ECO Station on Sunday, May 25^th from 10am to 4pm for the 1^st Annual Catwalk for Compassion!  This community event is going on to raise awareness for animal adoption, teach the proper care and treatment of animals, and offer us all some practical opportunities to help animals in our community every day.  Kids can come and walk the CATWALK at 12:00 and 3:00, make cat toys, get their faces painted, do arts and crafts and even enjoy some yummy food.  There will also be the opportunity to join the Rescued Pet Foundation, the St. Martens Foundation and the Pet Orphans Foundation to continue the mission of finding loving homes for wonderful animals.  Can I get a MEOW! 

STAR ECO Station, with the help of Bottlesandcans.com put on a wonderful Cinco de Mayo festival on Sunday, May 4^th.  The event, which had a piñata for every hour, brought together fun activities from Spanish culture.  There were great giveaways, valuable environmental information about recycling, and Segways to boot!  Three demonstrators rode around on Segways with baskets to collect used bottles and cans, showing us all that we can celebrate and have a great time and still be environmentally conscientious! 

We here at STAR ECO Station are thrilled to proclaim the success of our Children’s Earth Day Celebration on April 27^th.  Though the day was a scorcher, it certainly did not deter the crowds from piling into our modest STAR lot.  We hosted not only the largest Earth Day event in Los Angeles, but even outdid our own stunning record for attendance, drawing upwards of 15,000 people!  Our STAR Education students performed magnificently on the very same stage that hosted big names like Romeo and Miki Ishikawa, Zachary and Oren Williams and Aria Wallace, just to name a few.  Our environmental heroes and partners enjoyed handing out free giveaways and spreading the word on how to GO GREEN!  A great time was had by all. Thanks, everyone, for making Children’s Earth Day 2008 a day to remember for a world we celebrate!