Forty years ago, just a few forward-thinking people were becoming alarmed about the future of our planet. It was a Wisconsin Senator, Gaylord Nelson, who originally proposed a nationwide “teach-in” about the environment, but nobody expected the very first Earth Day—April 22, 1970—to evolve into both a cause and a holiday. Ultimately it proved to be the genesis of a number of environmental protections, including the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts; and led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This year a projected 4,000 organizations will hold celebrations in approximately 170 countries. Whether you prefer to hook up with a group involved in restoring the environment, learn more about sustainable living or just celebrate our fantastic planet, here are a few options.
4/11 L.A. River Restoration
Help the Village Gardeners maintain the Native Plant Garden at the Richard Lillard Outdoor Classroom, located on the L.A. County flood plain along the L.A. River between Coldwater Canyon and Fulton Ave. in Studio City. Project includes removal of invasive non-native plant species, mulching to enrich the soil, painting the tool shed and more. 9:30am–12:30pm, lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=48.
4/17 Earth Day on the Promenade
This event, mounted by EarthDayLA.org in conjunction with the city of Santa Monica, always draws a substantial crowd to the beautiful outdoor promenade. If you like sea breezes and want to intersperse your celebration with forays into high-end boutiques, this is the event for you. earthdayonthepromenade.org
4/17 Earth Day in Whittier
If anybody knows about cleaning up the earth, it’s the sanitation districts of Los Angeles County. At this event you can tour a water reclamation plant, take a train ride that follows the journey of your trash from home to recycling center to landfill, attend gardening and composting workshops, create eco-friendly arts and crafts, and participate in many other activities while learning about environmental issues. 1955 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier 90601. From 10am–2pm, lacsd.org or call 562.908.4288, x2303.
4/17 South LA Earth Fest
Learn more about global warming, gardening techniques and cooking healthy meals. Demonstrations and eco-products, cultural artwork, ethnic dance groups, food and activities. Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza at 3650 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., behind Sears automotive. 10am-5pm, southlaearthfest.org.
4/17 Restoration and Cleanup for State Parks
Organized by the California States Parks Foundation for those who want to take action in support of the planet, this Earth Day celebration offers the opportunity to plant trees, restore trails and wildlife habitat, and clean up beaches and park lands. If you saw the story in our August/September 2009 issue, you know how much help the state parks need. Various locations, see calparks.org/programs/earth-day for more info.
4/22 LA City College
Green businesses, vegan treats, music, demonstrations, info and resources, as well as an e-waste drive and a recycling drive. Campus botanical tour 4/23. 855 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles 90029.
4/22 Atwater Village Festival
The Atwater Village Chamber is busily gearing up for Atwater’s first Earth Day Festival on Glendale Blvd. For more info or to get involved, email revocafe_jacob@live.com or go to atwatervillagenews.blogspot.com.
4/23 Earth Day Open Mic
All arts open mic at the Metropolitan Community Church, 4953 Franklin Blvd., Los Angeles 90027, 7-10pm. For more info e-mail darren@outvisionart.com.
4/25 Cahuenga Green Stage Festival
Situated in front of the Cahuenga Public Library, this event’s mission is to use arts and humanities as environmental working tools, and will present “a non-traditional ecological celebration of life and land.” In addition to the street closing, a “fringe festival” will map historic sites and cultural destinations such as artist Sheila Klein’s Vermonica Exhibit at the intersection of Vermont and Santa Monica, a temporary installation of vintage streetlights so popular that it’s still in place 15 years later. 4550 block of Santa Monica Blvd., East Hollywood.
4/25 Star Eco Station Children’s Earth Day
Ed Begley, Jr., James Kyson Lee, Brigit Mendler, Sen. Curren Price and mayors of several cities will turn out for the 10th anniversary of this event, sponsored by the Star education program, which the White House selected as a “model program.” Eco-friendly games, prizes, giveaways, exotic veg cuisine, 10-4, 10101 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City 90232. More info at starinc.org.
5/16 WorldFest
A solar-powered celebration of music, the environment, animals and humanity. We’re helping people learn what they can do for the Earth and its inhabitants, with entertainment, education, lots of great music and delicious food. Woodley Park in Encino, $7 adults, 10:30am-7pm. worldfestevents.com
7/10 Venice Eco-Fest
Produced by EarthDayLA and the Venice Chamber of Commerce, this event
will feature green technology, eco-businesses, entertainment on a solar sound stage, art gallery, organic food, children’s court, bicycle parade and general fun for the entire family. veniceecofest.org
Photo courtesy of Rob Stradling
