GULF SHORES, Ala. — On today’s environmentally friendly holiday — Earth Day — the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Clean Coast Expo.

Today, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores, the public is welcome to a free expo aimed to educate being a “green” member of the community and making smart choices for the Earth.

“Going green means utilizing practices that are environmentally friendly, sustainable, eco-friendly or natural,” communications director Vicki Stillings said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Alabama Clean Water Partnership and many more will discuss specific ways Pleasure Island can go green. From recycling grease for biodiesel fuel to building a house with green materials, the expo will show everyone how to take the steps to protect the environment.

“We are providing resource information for the www.cleanisland.org Web site and promoting ways for our (chamber) members and the community to participate in recycling with a ‘Go Green’ list of simple things that businesses can do that conserves natural resources, eliminates waste and minimizes emissions,” Stillings said.

Speakers will address Keeping the Trash out of the Splash, sea turtles and light pollution and the restaurant recycling program which has been tested at Lulu’s at Homeport Marina.

Clifford Johnson, vice-chairman of Environmental and Natural Resources for the chamber said the purpose of the expo is “to create public awareness of the need to be good stewards of our environment.”

He said it is important to be aware of the state of the environment for personal quality of life.

“Quality of life is described many ways: natural beauty, laid back atmosphere, recreation opportunities and friendly people to name a few,” Johnson said. “For the people who live on the Gulf Coast, we have been blessed with all of these and more. If we neglect one common element, our environment, then one by one we lose those things that make up our quality of life.”

The expo has been two years in the making. Last year, as the expo was being developed, the Clean Island Initiative was born, and from that began the Clean Coast Partnership.

The partnership is a collaborative effort by the chamber, the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and the Gulf State Park, according to Stillings.

“The objective of the program is to provide residents, businesses and governments with actionable goals and objectives to make progress toward positive impacts on our environment,” Stillings said.