Celebrate Earth Day 2012

Celebrate Earth Day by doing an eco-scavenger hunt, attending a parade, or participating in a number of other fun-filled and eco-friendly events

Credit: Flickr / LenDog64

Supporting local farms at the farmers market is just one way to show your support for Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by making a positive change, and maybe having a little fun while you’re at it

Tired of celebrations that require shopping, cooking an elaborate meal and hanging out with relatives you barely know? Want to celebrate something really meaningful and support a cause that needs all of us?

The origins of Earth Day go back to the early days of the environmental movement when US senator Gaylord Nelson thought the state of our environment was something we all needed to pay attention to.

It took a few years before his beliefs began to gather steam, but on April 22, 1970, grassroots environmental organizations from across the US came together in a day of education and celebration.

Canada joined the movement in a big way in 1990, and these days about six-million Canadians join people from 170 countries and celebrate our planet. The idea behind Earth Day is to do something useful or learn something new. It’s not a day of hand wringing and protest, but rather a day to make a positive change.

So join the celebration either on your own or at one of these community events:

Earth Day Vancouver

Everett Crowley Park
April 21, 11 am – 3 pm
Help plant 1,500 trees, hear some music, take in some exhibitions and performances, and enjoy being outside.

Vancouver Farmers Market

Nat Bailey Stadium, 30th and Ontario Street
April 21, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Check out speakers and demonstrations to celebrate Earth Day by learning more about Slow Food and our local farms.

Green City Race

All around Vancouver. April 21, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Form a team of two or three people and set off on a green-themed city-wide, eco-scavenger hunt – using only public transportation to get around.

Earth Day Parade

April 22, 11 am
Join this student lead parade and march from Grandview Highway and Commercial Drive to Grandview Park, for a festival featuring live music, a family tent, the queen of green student art competition and special guest speakers.

Richmond Earth Day Youth Summit

Steveston-London Secondary School
Saturday, April 21, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
The REaDY Summit is a conference for local youth and adult environmental stewards. The summit includes workshops and demonstrations, including a keynote from the David Suzuki Foundation CEO.

Earth Fest Family Nature Festival

Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion
Sunday, April 22, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Head to the Wildlife Rescue Association’s annual family festival for sessions on building birdhouses, learning about bees and more.

If I missed an event that you want to include or attend an event and want to tell us how awesome it was – comment away!