What’s in your watershed? Every month, we like to highlight an animal or insect that lives in your local watershed in an effort to teach you about the members of our natural community. In honor of Earth Day 2013, we want to bring attention to another important part of our communities. Amongst the plants, animals, and insects living in your watershed resides another important member. It’s your family, your friends, your neighbors, and the unknown strangers in your community with whom you share the same watershed. It’s also you!
When I sat down to write this article, I started by reading about the founders and historical events of Earth Day. Many inspiring stories exist of people who worked together to pass important environmental legislation that continues to impact us today. Just like those who worked before us to positively impact our local watersheds, we each have a chance to help play an important role in the upcoming weeks.
The Watershed Project’s Earth Day events are a great way to spend time outdoors and have fun, while helping to make a positive impact on your local watershed. Join The Watershed Project this year for one of our many Earth Day Events. The events include:
Earth Day 2013 Creeks Challenge at Wildcat Creek
Where: TWO Locations! Wildcat Creek-Verde Elementary School (2000 Giaramita St Richmond, CA 94801) OR EBRPD Wildcat Staging Area (Richmond Parkway between Getrude and Pittsburg Avenue)
When: Saturday April 20th, 2013, 9:00am-12:30pm
Volunteers will work together to unclog local creeks by removing trash and debris from their banks. We will be tracking exactly what types of trash are most commonly found, and providing that information to policy makers and city officials in order to help them make decisions about how to best prevent pollution in the future. For example, when people identify that a certain item is consistently found in a particular location, it is easier to pass an appropriate law or even approach the pollutant’s source to suggest a different type of packaging. This type of survey is what led to cigarette smoking bans on California beaches–a great example of how knowing what type of trash is dirtying shorelines is half the battle.
FREE refreshments will be provided for nourishment as you work hard to clean up and beautify the environment!
- We will provide tools and gloves. If you have your own pair of gloves and a bucket, please bring them so everyone gets a chance to pitch in.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle.
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
- Let us know if your party has multiple people.
- Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
- Valid for Community Service hours
Click here to download and print the event flyer to share with your friends!
Albany Earth Day Celebration
Where: Albany waterfront at the foot of Buchanan Street
When: Saturday April 27th, 2013, 9:00am-12:30pm
Volunteers will be participating in an important clean-up. Additionally, there will be art projects created from the recovered items, encouraging creative ways to re-use materials that would otherwise flow into our bay.
- We will provide tools and gloves. If you have your own pair of gloves and a bucket, please bring them so everyone gets a chance to pitch in.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle.
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
- Let us know if your party has multiple people.
- Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
- Valid for Community Service hours.
Click here to download and print the event flyer to share with your friends!
El Sobrante Earth Day Celebration
Where: El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, CA
When: Saturday April 20th, 2013, 9:00am-12:00pm
Volunteers can participate in lots of fun activities, including native tree planting, creek cleanups, and Earth Day arts and crafts projects for kids and teens. Free breakfast and lunch snacks will be provided for all volunteers by SPAWNERS and the Elks Club! We have some boots and gloves to loan to volunteers. Please be sure to wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen and bring your own water bottle and work gloves and boots if you have them. If you are able, consider riding a bike or walking to the event.
Earth Day (and Arbor Day) Tree Planting on the Richmond Greenway
Where: Richmond Greenway between 6th & 8th Streets. Greenway is located between Ohio Ave. and Chanslor Ave.
When: Friday, April 26th, 2013; 10:00am – 12:30pm
Volunteers will work together to plant four trees in the riparian habitat zone in and around the bioswale in The Watershed Project’s adopted section of the Richmond Greenway. Come learn about native tree species and low impact designs such as bioswales and rain gardens that use plants and healthy soils to clean pollutants out of urban stormwater. Enjoy returning to the tree you helped plant as time passes to watch it grow and thrive while building a connection to your Greenway.
- We will provide tools and gloves. If you have your own pair of gloves and a bucket, please bring them so everyone gets a chance to pitch in.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle.
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
- Let us know if your party has multiple people.
- Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
- Valid for Community Service hours.
Wanlass Park Volunteer Day along Rheem Creek
Where: Wanless Park in San Pablo
When: Saturday, April 27th, 2013; 9:00am – 12:00pm
Please join us for a volunteer day at Wanlass Park to weed a creek, clear a hillside and plant native species. RSVP for lunch to Mike at 510-215-3132 or mikeh@sanpabloca.gov.
The Watershed Project wants to thank you in advance for considering attending one of our events. Bring your friend. Bring your family. Bring yourself!
