Remember when Earth Day was a just little bitty thing, celebrated by a scant 20 million worldwide? Here in the Puget Sound, it was once little more than a festival at Marymoor Park and a few determined conservationists cleaning rubbish from threatened streams as a way to celebrate – and preserve – this great planet we live on.

Oh how times have changed since Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson called for an national environmental teach-in – or Earth Day – on college campuses across America in 1970. According to an October 1969 Congressional Record, Nelson argued for the April 22 day of recognition thus:

“I am convinced that all we need to do to bring an overwhelming insistence of the new generation that we stem the tide of environmental disaster is to present the facts clearly and dramatically,” he told members of Congress. “The crisis is so imminent, in my opinion, that every university should set aside one day in the school year-the same day across the Nation-for the teach-in.” 

That first  year about 20 million people celebrated Earth Day. This year more than 175 countries and 500 million people will mark the day with educational events, environmental clean-up projects, and community mobilization efforts. While the first Earth Day was aimed at riling up feisty college students for the cause of the environment, Earth Day today takes a far broader aim – many events are geared toward families and getting kids excited about reducing waste and protecting the planet. 

In Seattle and it’s surrounding areas, Earth Day events abound. Here’s a taste of what you'll find all around the sound. For more Earth Day events, go to the Seattle’s Child Calendar.

 

Earth Day at Future of Flight

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Where: Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour; 8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukilteo WA 98275

What: Presentations include NW Windball (residential and commercial windmills), windmill fabrication (class from Edmonds Community College), solar-powered car (students from Arts & Technology High School) and a carbon fiber car that gets 114 mpg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., presentations 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Included with admission. $10, $8 Boeing employees, $5 ages 6 to 15, free ages 5 and younger (Boeing Tour extra, must be 4’ and over).

 

King County Earth Day Expo

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Where: Westlake Plaza, 400 Pine St., Seattle WA 98101

What: Includes activities and educational opportunities for children such as the activity corner and an appearance by Bert the Salmon.

 

Hands-On Children’s Museum

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: Hands On Children’s Museum, 106 11th Ave. S.W., Olympia WA 98501

What: Celebrate Earth Day with your child with special activities in the Art Studio. On Friday, it’s a self-guided activity: “Doggie Doo & Doggie Don’t”—make your own walkable dog puppet and learn how to be an eco-friendly dog owner. On Saturday, work with HOCM staff and volunteers to make Plantable Paper with wildflower seeds that can be planted at home. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 22-23. Included with admission. $7.95, $6.95 seniors, $5.95 ages 12 to 23 months, free for infants.

 

Earth Day Celebration at the Farm

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Where: Dr. Mazes Farm, 15410 N.E. 124th St., Redmond, WA 98052

What: Classes, crafts, & demonstrations. Hay rides, mazes, animals, farm stand, Farm Tots, & more. Check our website for event description & schedules.

 

Picnic for the Planet

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where: Pike Place Market, 1501 Pike Place, Seattle WA 98101

What: Bring your own lunch or purchase one from participating restaurants and join Pike Place Market and the Nature Conservancy in a global celebration of the planet we live on, the food it provides and the people with whom we share it. Live music, Earth Day King or Queen competition, Green Game and more.

Advance orders are being accepted at six Pike Place Market food venues for Lunch Box Specials through Wednesday, April 20. See a list of participating restaurants online.

 

Everything Earth and Eggs at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

When: Friday, Apr. 22, 2011, 6 – 8 p.m.

Where: Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. N.E., Seattle WA 98115

What: Includes hands-on crafts and games.

 

Port Orchard Park Earth Day Event

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Park Orchard Park, 11058 S.E. 230th St., Kent WA 98031

What: Remove invasive plants, prune and plant natives. Pre-register by April 20.

Volunteers are asked to dress for the weather (no sandals or flip-flops), bring work gloves and a shovel, pruners or lopping shears if you have them. Coffee and hot chocolate provided. Water will also be provided, so bring your own water container and refill it from our cooler to reduce waste in our landfills.

 

Green Kirkland

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Juanita Bay Park, 2201 Market St., Kirkland WA 98033

What: Help with Earth Day restoration work at Juanita Bay Park. Wear work clothes, bring gloves, water bottle and rain gear (if necessary). All ages, ages 13 and younger with adult, ages 14 to 17 need signed waiver. Pre-registration preferred.

 

B’Earthday

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: Audubon Center, Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle WA 98118

What: Bird banding demonstrations, bird house building, guided eagle walks, fun activities and free cupcakes.

 

Earth Egg Day at Seattle Tilth

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Children’s Garden behind Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Seattle WA 98103

What: “Earth Egg Day.” Garden snacks, exploration of organic learning gardens and maybe some animals (hens, rabbits and a goat). Find out about Seattle Tilth’s children’s garden programs.

 

The Mountaineers Earth Day Celebration

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: The Mountaineers Foundation Rhododendron Preserve, 3153 Seabeck Highway N.W. , Bremerton, WA 98312

What: Families from around the Puget Sound will gather to celebrate Earth Day with a day of volunteer stewardship, interpretive hikes, storytelling, crafts, wildlife encounters, and nature-inspired theatre games during The Mountaineers Earth Day Celebration. The Earth Day celebration takes place at the Kitsap Forest Theatre and the 460-acre Rhododendron Preserve, marked by dense, old growth rainforest, clear salmon-bearing streams, and remnants of quirky old homesteads. The Earth Day Celebration is open to the public and free of charge, with a suggested donation of $15 per family. Concessions will be available.

 

Seattle Children’s PlayGarden Earth Day Celebration

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 1 – 4 p.m.

Where: Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, 1745 24th Ave. S., Seattle WA 98144

What: Community event featuring garden activities, crafts, food and free play at unique facility designed to accommodate children of all abilities.

 

Earth Day Extravaganza

When: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 S. Tyler St., Tacoma WA 98405

What: Family activities featuring Insect Safari, Plankton Parade and an ivy pulling contest. Ages 4 and older

 

ECOFEST

When: Saturday, April 30, 11a.m.—4 p.m.

Where: Stillwaters, 26059 Barber Cut Off Road, Kingston WA 98346

What: EcoFest is a community celebration, with a huge selection of exhibitors and displays, plus all kinds of enviro-education & eco-friendly products, from electric scooters to bamboo floors! There is great music, food, a large “Green Home” display, live animals, lots for kids to do, and entertainment all day.

 

 

Most Unique Celebration Happening in Olympia

 

Procession of the Species Celebration

When: Luminary Procession: Friday, 9:30 p.m. April 22; Procession of the Species: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., April 23

Where: Begins in downtown Olympia starting at Legion and Cherry. Registration for those who want to participate starts at 3:30 p.m.

What:

The Procession of the Species is a joyous, spontaneous artistic pageant where community members celebrate their relationships with each other and with the natural world.

Created by the community for the community, the Procession program facilitates seven weeks of art, music, and dance workshops that inspire personal understanding of and local action for wildlife protection.

 

On procession day, residents don their creative expressions (costumes) and proceed through the streets of Olympia. Carrying banners, windsocks, and giant puppets, they participate in a cultural exchange honoring the awe and splendor of the natural world.

 

Procession Day Schedule

Procession begins at 4:30 PM, rain or shine.

Drop-off between 4:00 and 4:30 PM, at either Chestnut and Legion or Cherry and 7th.

 

Times

• 3:45 to 4:30 PM: Assemble on Legion Way and Cherry between Jefferson & Chestnut in downtown Olympia – one block east of the Fishbowl Brewpub.
• 4:30 PM: Procession begins – rain or shine.
• 5:30 to 8:00 PM: Procession ends at Heritage Park for closing celebration.

 

Check-in and Gathering
Check-in begins at 3:30 pm. Check yourself and your group in at the Registration table at the corner of Legion and Franklin. Each of the four Element sections of the parade and their assigned blocks will be clearly marked by signs. You are encouraged to come early, walk around, and view all the other marvelous species... but please have your group assembled at your registered Element by 4:15 p.m.

 

ECOFEST

When: Saturday, April 30, 11a.m.—4 p.m.

Where: Stillwaters, 26059 Barber Cut Off Road, Kingston WA 98346

What: EcoFest is a community celebration, with a huge selection of exhibitors and displays, plus all kinds of enviro-education & eco-friendly products, from electric scooters to bamboo floors! There is great music, food, a large “Green Home” display, live animals, lots for kids to do, and entertainment all day.

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