More than 25,000 people showed up over Earth Day weekend for the first Green Festival held in New York City. The Grantwell attended the event, which took place in the North Pavilion of the Javits Center on April 21 and 22. A project of Global Exchange and Green America, the festival featured guest speakers, test drives of Ford’s latest hybrid vehicle, and exhibitors of sustainable products and services, as well as some interesting non-profits.

One such non-profit, TEL, or Technology Exchange Lab, connects remote and underserved communities with innovative technologies and solutions. Their website, a ''center for high-impact, low-cost solutions to problems of poverty," serves as an exchange between inventors and solution seekers, such as farmers or non-profits in the developing world. TEL's online, global community is open to anyone, including individuals and organizations, who wish to "share and discuss innovative, locally implemented solutions to problems of poverty and sustainability."

Green Map uses mapmaking as a way to "promote inclusive participation in sustainable community development worldwide."  Through both print and online interactive maps, the Green Map System helps people connect with green, social and cultural resources in their communities at home or when traveling. For example, the Compost Green Map of Manhattan shows, through Green Map icons, where to locate public composting sites, community gardens, and parklands. The back of the map also offers information on composting and additional resources. Maps are made in participation with local communities. In action since 1995, Green Maps is now in 60 countries. Green Map introduced a mobile website and a Green Map iPhone App in 2010.

The $5,000 Ford Community Green Grant award went to NYC-based non-profit Green City Force, which prepares young adults from low-income backgrounds for sustainable careers, through service, training and work experiences. According to the Green Festival website, Green City Force will use the award to engage young adults to serve and train on an urban farm on NYCHA property in Red Hook, Brooklyn, in partnership with NYCHA and Added Value. Finalists for the award included Fourth Arts Block (FAB), East River Crew,  East New York Farms, and The Human Impacts Institute.

Chicago is hosting a Green Festival this weekend at Navy Pier. More Green Festivals will be held later this year in Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles.