Earth Day celebrations in the Comox Valley have expanded in 2013 and now straddle an entire weekend this Saturday and Sunday.
From gardening fun, wildlife enhancement, to all kinds of tips to help reduce waste and pollution, the weekend will be filled with activities and information.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association is hosting a Backyard Farmers Unite event on April 20 in the downtown core, at Fifth and England, where residents can purchase seed, seedlings and even compost to get their food gardens started in 2013.
A number of entertainers will be on site with activities to engage children of all ages. Festivities run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Over at the Compost Education Centre at 4795 Headquarters Rd., activities begin at 9 a.m.
The CVRD continues to highlight issues around garbage and landfills and will be demonstrating waste reduction through composting and recycling. Thousands of red wiggler worms are going to be on site helping to turn kitchen scraps into compost.
Residents can check out a selection of films from World Community Education Society’s library that focus on waste reduction, food security, environment, and the effects of pollution. Fair Trade coffee and chocolate sales will also be available.
The Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club will sell bags of Skyrocket.
Mid-morning, the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) is arriving with a bird of prey while the Tsolum River Restoration Society will plant a tree on the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
The Fishing for Fun Facts station, hosted by Project Watershed, is designed to engage children with and information about projects in the K'ómoks Estuary and Puntledge River. A large Comox Valley map, estuary inspired art, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities will also be available.
Family activities can also be found at Kevin Flesher’s booth on arts and crafts with recycled buttons.
Families and individuals can enjoy the activities around the Compost Education Centre, take a stroll over to the Comox Valley Farmers' Market for some snacks and shopping, listen to some music, and take a walk along the Tsolum River.
On Sunday, MARS will host its second annual Walk for Wildlife at the Courtenay Airpark. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and prizes will be awarded for the most pledges raised for both adults and children. For more information, visit www.wingtips.org.
For more information about Earth Day activities in the Comox Valley, contact World Community at wcdes.cv@gmail.com.
— World Community