Earth Week 2015: Live the Change is about to begin in Powell River.
“Get ready to sample activities and events geared toward understanding how our earth reacts to our human interaction,” invited Janet Southcott, Earth Week committee member.
Built around Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, the annual celebration has grown from just one 24-hour period to a collection of seven days of activities, April 22 to 28.
“We have our Earth Week flag-raising event to start things off, at city hall on Wednesday,” she said of the event which starts at 4 pm. Local dignitaries representing Tla’amin First Nation, City of Powell River and Powell River Regional District will say a few words as the flag is raised. Musical entertainment will be provided by Juhli Jobi. Plants and seeds will be available for distribution.
A look at the week’s events at earthweekpr.ca shows an array of activities, from special dinners at local restaurants to the annual Marathon Shuffle, to a worm composting open house to evening movies, to a recycled art masks show to Trash Bash and beyond.
Holding the week together is an emphasis on bee health. Karen Kamon is another committee member and she is spearheading the pollinator project.
“I was really excited to find a project that actually supports the whole community,” she said. “People have their certain flowers they like. The pollinator project helps fill the gaps throughout the year so there is food security for all the pollinators, not just the bees—the butterflies, bats, birds, moths.”
Bee populations have been decreasing worldwide. Planting pollinator seeds is an easy way to increase colour in yards, attract bees and other pollinators and help with food security. “I was really grateful that the city and regional district are taking food security very seriously,” said Karen. “More and more people are food conscious. We are really lucky to have support from many local organizations such as the gardeners, botanic society and farmers’ institute.”
One thousand seed packages will be distributed during Earth Week events. The seeds are a selection of native plants. “Planting flowers does so much more than just one thing,” she said. “You are creating food for someone but you are creating beauty for yourself and your neighbourhood and I think we can all use that colourful cheer in our lives.
“It does not take much space to make a small difference,” she added. “It is time to plant and we can make a huge change for this summer. Each one of our choices is so very crucial.”
Many volunteers and community groups have offered a hand in organizing Earth Week. Financial support has been generously provided from First Credit Union, Powell River Regional District and City of Powell River.
Readers are invited to view Claudia Medina’s video of Earth Week 2014 at earthweekpr.ca for a taste of what’s to come. Anyone with an event to add to the Earth Week calendar can do so on the website or by getting in touch through Facebook at Powell River Earth Week.
