For over 40 years now April 22nd has been better known as Earth Day, a time to reflect on the natural beauty of our environment and lend a helping hand to preserve that beauty for future generations. For many people Earth Day is just another day in April, but in Cascadia it’s something more.
The first Earth Day took place in San Francisco in 1969 on March 21st, the vernal equi-nox. Over the next few years the date was changed but the ideal remained true: raise awareness and appreciation for our natural environment. While to some this may seem vague, it’s the simplicity that makes it great.
The ambiguity in the goal allows for each community or group to take action in their own way and around Cascadia it’s no different. Groups all over the bioregion have plans to celebrate Earth Day in their own way.
We have compiled a very concise list of activities in the major urban areas of Cas-cadia. This is by no means a complete list of events. If you do not see an event in your area that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. If you are looking for an event to get involved in check out your library; most of them will have information posted regarding upcoming events, or you can check out earthday.org.
Regardless of what ac-tivities you participate we’d like to encourage everyone to get involved with something. While our commitment to preserving our environment shouldn’t be confined to a single day a year, that doesn’t mean we should ignore the opportunity to get out and make a difference.
Earth Day Vancouver
@Everett Crowley Park
Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Entrance off Kerr Rd. near E. 64th Ave. (3 blocks south of Champlain Mall)
Help plant 1,000 native trees!
http://www.earthdayvancouver.org
Earth Day Portland
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Theme: “The Circle of Life: Earth Day renewal”
City Repair is collaborating this year with the Associated Stu-dents of Portland Community College (ASPCC) to bring you this year’s Earth Day Portland 2012Interactive Event!
http://act.earthday.org/event/earth-day-portland
Earth Day Spokane
An all day music, activities, educa-tion, art, and entertainment venue!
On Main Street between Browne & Division
http://www.earthdayspokane.org
Seattle Earth Day Celebration 2012
w/SCA and Community Partners
Saturday April 14, 9am-3pm
Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arbo-retum Dr East, Seattle, WA 98112
Save the Date! More info coming soon.
Watershed Weekend — Boise, Idaho
Earth Day Celebration
April 21, 10am-2pm
Boise Water Shed Environmental Educa-tion Center
During Earth Day weekend, combat ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ with outdoor activities! At 8:00 and 10:30, take a one-mile birding walk to encounter wildlife near the ponds at the West Boise Waste-water Treatment Plant. From 10:00-1:00, practice your fly-casting and fly tying skills with Trout Unlimited! In the exhibit hall, bring your own spray bottle to make and take a ‘green’ household cleaner, in-teract with NOAA’s flood model, learn about the City’s Environmental Programs and create nature crafts.
Earth Day 2012 — Eugene
Saturday, April 21, 2012
11am-5pm
EWEB’s River Edge Plaza
Featuring John H. Baldwin Film and Lec-ture Series, Master Gardener’s Annual Plant Sale, Earth Action Arena, and music and entertainment throughout the day.