Every April 22, we celebrate the largest worldwide environmental event, Earth Day.
1 billion people in over 170 countries, including 6 million Canadians stage events and projects to address local environmental issues.
According to Earth Day Canada, Environmental challenges abound as our daily actions pollute and degrade the fragile environment that humans and wildlife depend on to survive.
Earth Day provides the opportunity for public awareness of the problems, and potential solutions. Although one day is not going to save the planet, it is a start.
Although no public events in Carlyle have been announced yet, Regina and Saskatoon will be home to several family oriented events.
The Greenest Canadian City Challenge is put on by the organization The Green Grouch. It involves 50 cities Nationwide, including several Saskatchewan cities. The city gets green points for using refillable cups, reusable cloth grocery/shopping bags, hosting Meatless dinners, checking car tire pressure and much more. The highest-ranking Saskatchewan city thus far, is Saskatoon, with Regina trailing close behind. It isn't too late to join the challenge, and for more information you can go to www.thegreengrouch.com.
A five km fun run or two km walk along the winding trails of the Saskatoon zoo and park at the Forestry Farm are scheduled. The Zoo Run is a fundraiser to support the lunch-hour environmental education program in local schools. The Zoo Club is a lunch-hour program that supports local teachers who organize an environment or ecology club in their school. The program allows the Zoo Society to visit the club 7 times over the school year to discuss wildlife ecology, complete with an animal from the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park Zoo. Entry forms available on their website at www.saskatoonzoosociety.ca. The event will take place on April 22.
The zoo will also hold a nature walk at Peturrsons Ravine. The event will include looking for crocuses and other signs of spring. Cost is free, but registration is required. Call 975-3042 to register or for more information. The event is designed for families, with children of all ages.
Regina will also host a large variety of activities on April 22.
Looking Through a Window, lets children over 9 years of age, accompanied by an adult, explore and create drawings of natural objects. Those who wish can display their art at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for the remainder of the month. Registration is required, and the tour is offered at 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. Space is limited. Check-in at the registration table in the lobby begins at 12:30 p.m.
The museum will also hold a bird feeder making station, including a fun facts bird info session. This event is offered at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Space is limited.
A contest of buildings made of recycled materials for a recently created eco-village will be another activity and all registered entries will be on display for the remainder of the month. The winner will receive a $100 gift card.
Ongoing activities will include a demonstration of papermaking and each person attending will get a seed paper to plant in their backyard. Face painting will run from 1:00- 4:00 p.m. A bug hunt will be held for cool prizes and children will have a chance to meet an Entomologist. These people make a living studying insects and bugs, and will even bring some of their bug collection.
Get your children involved in building a better future for themselves. Celebrate Earth Day at home. It can be as simple as picking up garbage around town, planting a tree, starting a compost bin in your backyard, or even teaching the value of recycling.
