April is Earth Month in Powell River; the month to make a difference, change a habit or two and be more conscious of the actions we take and their reactions on our planet.
Before anyone says, “One month? It should be every day,” I agree. Every day would be great. How about Earth Year in Powell River for 2018?
Let’s take a look at what Earth Day (April 22 each year) is all about, because that lays the foundation for Earth Week and Earth Month and, hopefully, Earth Year.
Earth Day was first celebrated 47 years ago, April 22, 1970. It was inspired by an oil spill in California the year before. At the time, United States senator Gaylord Nelson responded to the damage by forming an initiative to create a day of recognition and education about the planet. The idea caught on, particularly at universities where a common focus formed for earth-centric activism.
Earth Day helped create environmental standards, government legislation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Change happened because of one person acting on an idea almost five decades ago. Since then, Earth Day has been celebrated worldwide.
When I first arrived in Powell River, Lund was leading the charge for Earth Day. I attended several events at the Lund Gazebo. I hear, too, that Tla’amin Nation held celebrations on its beachfront. As those events diminished, an annual Earth Day event was hosted in Powell River. From there, a team of volunteers created Earth Week.
Last year was our first Earth Month, and this year is our second. For an updated calendar of events taking place throughout the month, or to add your own, visit earthmonthpr.ca.
If you are looking for things to do on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, look no further. There are lots of options:
-Start the day off by supporting local vendors at the Uptown Winter Market, 10 am-12:30 pm at Community Resource Centre on Joyce Avenue. This market is a great resource for locally baked, grown and sourced food.
-Lund Gazebo will be abuzz with activity from 12-6 pm with a plant/seed exchange, nature art installations and crafts, eco information about the Lund farm co-op, climate change, emergency shelters and forest-fire awareness. There will also be free trees to give away. Music and dancing will take place at the gazebo 8 pm-12 am the night before. Attendance is by donation with proceeds supporting the salmon-enhancement project. To participate, contact Christine at cmorgan.pmichaud@gmail.com.
-At Willingdon Beach’s Rotary Pavilion, Powell River will celebrate Earth Day from 12-4 pm. Details are being worked out but organizers Climate Action Powell River hope to have music, an eco trade show, vendors, community groups and an Earth Day quiz. Contact coolhomes.pr@gmail.com to participate.
-Prayer, song, readings and sacred circle dance take place during an all-faiths liturgy to reaffirm our commitment to care for and nurture all creation. Join the Caring for Creation, Earth Day ecumenical prayer service, 4 pm at Sycamore Commons, St. David and St. Paul Anglican Church in Townsite.
-Remember the standing room only at last year’s eCouture Wearable Art Fashion Show? Organizers have expanded their event location to Dwight Hall, which is expected to be packed too, so don’t be late. Event starts at 6:30 pm. It is a highlight of Earth Month and supports a more conscious consideration of apparel. You can look fabulous in the latest handmade, locally sourced, creatively created creations.
Wherever your environmental ethics take you, you can and do make a difference. Happy Earth Month.
Janet Southcott is a member of the Earth Month Team and sponsoring organization Climate Action Powell River. Become involved with Earth Month at earthmonthpr.ca.
