Forty-nine years ago on April 22, 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development. This was the first Earth Day event.
Earth Day is now an annual global event with an estimated one billion people in 192 countries taking part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.
But it does not need to end with one day of political action and civic participation. Summerland residents have been joining in earth-friendly events all week long, with activities planned through until Sunday.
“Earth Week is one of my favourite weeks of the year. Its so motivating to be part of a community celebration that encourages people to embrace nature and its values, and inspires individual actions to protect our planet,” states Lisa Scott, one of the coordinators for Summerland Earth Day.
The following events are taking place this weekend in Summerland.
The Summerland Arts Centre is hosting a Stash Bash on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event features great deals on art supplies of all kinds, including paper, paints, sheet music, fabric, and more.
On the same day, the arts centre will also be holding a composting workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. Cameron Baughen from the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen will explain the five easy steps to keep your backyard composter smell and hassle free so you can get nutritious, high-quality compost for your gardens.
Also on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m., the Summerland Library invites parents, children, and families to come have some fun with planting “popcorn” seeds. Activity sheets for kids will be available, as well as a story and books to choose from.
All day Saturday the Summerland Landfill will be offering compost for two cents per kilogram (minimum charge $2.) A pickup truck load will cost approximately $22.
The landfill also has green wood mulch, white wood/apple box mulch and top dressing for sale for two cents per kilogram.
Earth Week will culminate on Sunday with the 13th annual Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to noon.
This year’s event is being held at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 7360 Dunn Street.
Join other community members at this family celebration to create a dryland, natural habitat around the perimeter of the treatment plant.
Display booths will have information on local wildlife, invasive species, landscaping with native plants and more.
Volunteers are asked to bring their own shovels and rakes. Free gardening gloves will be provided to the first 30 volunteers. Tours of the Waste Water Treatment Plant will be offered at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. All ages are welcome to join these interesting explanations of how the treatment plant works and what upgrades have been made to save energy.
To book your spot on the tour, please call 250.494.0447 or email recreation@summerland.ca
Summerland’s Earth Week activities are completely free and focus on ways individuals and families can reduce their environmental footprint and contribute to keeping our community beautiful. Details on all of the activities can be found at www.summerland.ca/earthweek
Lisa Scott is an organizer of Summerland’s Earth Week events.