This multi-phase community outreach campaign is an effort to encourage drivers to limit unnecessary idling. We're so fortunate in our valley to have four beautiful seasons - and during at least two of them, there's no need to idle your car!

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Our campaign, which launched in spring of 2021, has continued each spring and fall. Our pilot included preschools, daycares and private schools, and engaged students to educate their parents on the dangers of idling. It just so happened that during our pilot, the mass vaccination site for Covid at Town Toyota Center was resulting in lots of air pollution from cars idling, so we were able to divert some of our signage to help in that effort through June. See pictures below of our spring 2021 pilot at Seeds Learning Center, TEAMS Learning Center and TTC. 

 

Now we're working to bring the campaign to local elementary schools. Participation can be as simple as displaying one of our temporary banners, asking parents to be Idle Free. We also have permanent metal signs available for free. Or, schools can send out info to parents and get kids involved. Even young students can participate by collecting data by counting how many minutes they see cars idling at pick-up time. Then they educate their parents on why they should turn off their engines while they're waiting (for cleaner air, healthier lungs, and to save money) and can have parents sign a pledge. Finally, the kids can observe again and see if they made a difference!

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This program is sponsored by Columbia Valley Community Health, Confluence Health, and Cascade Medical. For more information on idling, read this from the Department of Energy.