With a name like Bowling Green, you know you're coming to a community that has some activities geared at "going green" for the environment. In fact, Warren County Public Schools is so committed to being great stewards that 23 out of 24 of its buildings are 100 percent Energy Star certified, according to their website, and they are home to the first Net Zero School in the nation. 

Some of our attractions and lodging are also doing their parts to contribute to the green movement, so in honor of Earth Day, here are some environmentally-friendly ideas to check out when you #VisitBGKY. 

1. The wetlands at Lost River Cave — While many people are familiar with Lost River Cave because of its boat tour and ziplines, the attraction features more than 60 acres above ground of wetlands, prairie, and wooded trails. The wetlands act as a natural way to remove possible contaminants from stormwater runoff from U.S. 31-W and Interstate 165, LRC's naturalist Annie Holt told the Bowling Green Daily News in a 2012 article. 

When you visit Lost River Cave's wetlands, make time to take either the boat tour or the historic walking tour, where you can learn about how the Friends of Lost River Cave nonprofit group saved the property after it had turned into an illegal trash dump. You can also help celebrate Earth Week and Earth Day with outdoor volunteer opportunities at Lost River Cave and Mammoth Cave National Park, respectively. 

2. Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant — Though the Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant isn't open for tours right now, its property offers an eco-friendly site for a place to take a picnic break or to stretch your legs during a long trip. The property features a wildlife habitat spread across 75 acres, roughly the size of 83 football fields. Within the space are 42,000 pounds of ground-up ergonomic mats reused from inside the plant to form the foundation for a picnic area. Students planted sunflowers along the route, which also features bluebird boxes planted by a local Boy Scout troop. The team collaborates with environmental experts to best choose appropriate native species for the grounds. 

The habitat has earned the plant a “Wildlife at Work” certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council, according to the plant's website. 

3. Lovers Lane Soccer Complex — There's more to do than play soccer at this park, which is also home to a playground, walking/running trail, and disc golf course. The park is the site of the first TVA solar power array in Kentucky and the first commercial solar installation in Bowling Green.

There are several options if you need a place to charge your electric vehicle in Bowling Green. The National Corvette Museum recently installed EV chargers, and the GM plant has hook-ups for GM vehicles only. Western Kentucky University has a couple of charging spots at its new parking garage in the lot on Russellville Road. Area hotels/lodging that offers electric car charging include: Hotel Sync, Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Tru by Hilton, Comfort Suites, and the KOA campground.