Eco-tip: Earth Day events planned all month in Ventura County
An Earth Day e-card already making the electronic rounds this year sarcastically says, “I admire your determination to save the planet despite your inability to save a houseplant.” Another says, “I’m hoping Earth Day will make polar bears hate us less.”
Both of those jokes are about how we treat other species, but, as expressed by the cover of this year’s Ventura County General Services Agency Earth Day booklet, the major benefit of improving the environment may be the good we will do for our own species.
Available at http://www.ventura.org/general-services-agency/earthday, the booklet’s title this year is “Save Our Species,” and it includes a catalog of environmental protection measures taken at Ventura County facilities. This year’s theme is summarized in an introduction by Facility Manager Rosalind Harris, who writes, “Every living organism … is part of the ecological balance. … It is a web of life, in sync and dependent upon the environment. When a living species becomes extinct due to unnatural causes, the balance of this ecosystem is compromised. The causes include climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, poaching, and contamination of air, water, and soil.”
How to be Earth-friendly:
- Shelters reuse common items to help people and animals
- Recycling bottles, cans is easier said than done
- Tackling the problem of food waste in Ventura County
April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day internationally, but commemorative events in Ventura County are held all month. The events are all free, and most will include live musical entertainment and food vendors. Attendees are encouraged to bicycle, carpool, or take public transportation to these events.
Here’s a look at what’s planned:
Thousand Oaks
The Thousand Oaks event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at the Grant Brimhall Library, 1401 Janss Road. There will be in-depth presentations on firescaping, living with wild animals as neighbors, building healthy soils, buying or leasing an electric vehicle and home solar and battery storage. Outside, there will be live music, kids’ activities, exhibitors and raffle prizes. Visit http://www.toaks.org/aeday for details.
Ventura
Ventura’s Earth Day Eco Fest, also April 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is expected to draw more than 5,000 people and 100 exhibitors, according to the event’s website, http://www.venturaearthday.org. It will be at downtown’s Plaza Park, with a bicycle valet available and a parking structure one block away. Live music will be featured on two stages. Also planned are eco arts and crafts, a green scavenger hunt, yoga classes, a green car expo, interaction with animals and a raffle raising money for Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education, one of the event organizers in cooperation with the city of Ventura.
In conjunction with the Ventura event, the Channel Islands Bicycle Club will coordinate a family-friendly group bicycle ride with a police escort. After announcements at the outdoor amphitheater of the Channel Islands National Park headquarters, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, at 9 a.m., the 6-mile ride will begin at 9:30 and end at the Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest by 10:30 a.m. An optional return group bike ride will leave from Plaza Park at noon.
On Earth Day, April 22, from noon to 1 p.m., the Ventura County General Services Agency will host its 10th annual Earth Day guided tour of environmental features at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura. Register at http://www.ventura.org/general-services-agency/earthday or call 805-654-2051, and meet at the Hall of Administration Fountain.
Ojai
On April 20, Ojai’s Earth Day, hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, will be at Libbey Park, 269 E. Ojai Ave., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is promoted in a news release as “an ideal way for continuing the conversation about advancing a green, sustainable, and resilient way of life,” with interactive activities, demonstrations, speakers, performers, environmentally friendly exhibitors and nonprofits sharing information “about living with a lighter, more compassionate footprint.” It will include an interactive area with yoga, tai chi, peace sticks and “kids creative movement,” as well as a $100 Toad&Co gift certificate drawing at 4 p.m. for anyone who registers by 3 p.m.
For many, the highlight of the Ojai event will be the opening music, featuring composer/songwriter Ray Powers, whose native flute compositions include “Valley of the Moon Suite,” honoring the Ojai Valley. Other highlights include an opening ceremony by Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, music by the Brothers Koren, Rumi poetry readings and a community sing-along. With a perspective relevant to recent local discussions about wildlife corridors, Beth Pratt of the National Wildlife Foundation will provide updates and education. Other speakers will cover topics such as hydraulic fracturing (known as “fracking”), making Ojai bike-friendly, local watersheds, regenerative agriculture and new advances in solar technology. For more information, visit http://www.ojaiearthday.org or call 805-669-8445.
Santa Paula
On April 20, the city of Santa Paula will combine an Earth Day commemoration with an Easter-themed event, including carnival games and an egg hunt. The event, at Las Piedras Park, 431 N. 13th St., will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Fillmore
On April 22, from 2-5 p.m., the city of Fillmore will host a celebration at Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Ave. This event is notable for some great free offers. Bike Ventura will offer free bicycle repairs on site. The Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance will sign up homes and businesses for free indoor air quality assessments and arrange for free energy and water-saving devices for businesses. Mamma Marley’s Garden, a community-supported agriculture venture, will give away fruit and vegetable seeds, as well as planting crafts for kids.
Earth Hour
An event related to Earth Day began just before the month of April with several cities participating in “Earth Hour.” Commemorating Earth Hour, major landmarks and surrounding communities shut off all nonessential lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. local time March 30, in support “urgent action for the environment” (according to earthhour.org, coordinated by the World Wildlife Fund, which originated the commemoration in 2007). Landmarks ranging from the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong to the Sydney Opera House in Australia went dark for an hour.
Eco-Tip is written by David Goldstein, an environmental resource analyst for the Ventura County Public Works Agency. He can be reached at 805-658-4312 or david.goldstein@ventura.org.