Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, and several local groups have Earth Day-related activities this weekend while the National Park Service kicks off National Park Week on Saturday, April 21.
Beach clean-up set for Saturday
The 2012 Klallam Earth Day Beach Cleanup Challenge is a waterfront cleanup campaign with a particular focus on plastics recovery.
The main waterfront cleanup is slated for the morning of Saturday, April 21, and will be followed that afternoon by an Earth Day celebration open to volunteers and the general public at The Landing Mall in downtown Port Angeles.
The Cleanup Challenge features an old-fashioned swap meet and brunch time music by Luck of the Draw. In the afternoon, music and dancing to the tunes of Deadwood Revival’s Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green, an art show and a “trashion” show — for the best clothing or costume made from recycled and reused materials — is featured.
Registered beach cleanup volunteers get a food coupon worth $5 as well as other gifts. Food is provided by Mystery Bay Seafood and Big Horn BBQ, as well as The Landing’s on-site restaurants.
The Feiro Marine Life Center will have a display with “hands-on” demonstrations of solar and wind energy. The Olympic Coast Discovery Center also will be open with its own fascinating interactive interpretive exhibits on display.
The “trashion” show has prizes for the best clothing or costume made from recycled and reused materials: $100 for first prize, $75 for second prize and a $50 third prize, based on “people’s choice” voting.
There also is a $100 first prize for people’s choice at the art show. The art show’s theme is Rejoicing the Earth Through Art and will remain on exhibit until April 30.
“The entire event is open to the community and everyone is invited to join in the festivities,” event organizer Paul Cronauer said. “Earth Day is a day intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment. In 2012, we have 366 days to protect our local beaches and two days to help clean them up,” he said.
On the evening of April 21, two musicians host a benefit concert for Feiro Marine Life Center youth programs at Wine on the Waterfront, including singer/songwriter Danny O’Keefe and multi-instrumentalist Joel Tepp. The show begins at 8 p.m. Only 40 tickets are available for general sales at $40 per ticket; all ticket sale proceeds go to the Feiro Marine Life Center.
Tickets are available from Wine on the Waterfront at 565-8466 or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/237053.
For more information about the 2012 Klallam Earth Day Beach Cleanup Challenge, call 457-4407, visit the website at www.klallamearthday.com or find it on Facebook as Klallam Earth Day Challenge.
Land Trust hosts work party
On Sunday, April 22, NOLT hosts a volunteer work party at Siebert Creek Conservation Area, helping clear out Scotch broom.
Those interested in participating in either of these events may call Lorrie at 417-1815, ext. 7, for more information.
National Park Week set
Olympic National Park, together with National Park Service sites across the country, will waive entrance fees April 21-29 in celebration of National Park Week.
Special events also are planned as part of this week, including the Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday, April 21, and National Junior Ranger Day at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center on Saturday, April 28.
• Washington Coast Cleanup
Volunteers are invited to be part of the Washington Coast Cleanup by helping remove marine debris at one of about 40 sites along the coast, both inside and outside of park boundaries.
Volunteers may help with a variety of tasks, including running volunteer check-in tables, transporting collected debris to local dump sites and even holding barbecue celebrations after the Coast Cleanup.
“Olympic National Park is grateful to the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to look after and protect our coastline,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess. “Volunteers make the Washington Coast Cleanup a reality and make a difference every day at Olympic. We extend our appreciation to each one.”
To sign up for their favorite beach and learn more, people should visit the Washington CoastSavers website at www.coastsavers.org/washington.
• National Junior Ranger Day
Children of all ages are invited to bring their favorite adult to Olympic’s celebration of National Junior Ranger Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
The celebration is free and is open to children of all ages accompanied by an adult. It will be held at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles.
Junior Ranger Day activities are designed to be fun and enjoyable for adults too.
Special activities are scheduled throughout the day, including 30-minute ranger-guided walks at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Space on these walks is limited and people should sign up for them when they arrive at the visitor center.
Microscopes will be set up for up-close looks at insects and plants, the Children’s Discovery Room will be open for play and other activities will be offered. Junior Rangers who complete enough activities can earn National Junior Ranger Day prizes.
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., several of the park’s pack mules will make a special appearance. Junior Rangers will have an opportunity to meet the mules and learn about the important jobs they do in keeping the park’s 300-mile trail system in good condition.
Olympic’s Junior Ranger program is a special year-round way for children and families to experience and enjoy the park. Children complete Junior Ranger activity booklets, attend a ranger program and explore park nature trails to earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.
