Celebrate Earth Day Around the Bay

Celebrate all things green and sustainable at Earth Day events in the Bay Area  beginning this weekend.

Earth Day started in 1970, following a massive oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast. National demonstrations called for increased environmental protections, and are credited with leading to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.

The event is now celebrated worldwide, with several notable events nearby.

April 16-17:

Oakland Zoo’s Earth Day and Adventures on Planet Earth

• When: Sunday, April 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Where: Oakland Zoo. 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland
• This year the zoo will highlight the adventure of living on Planet Earth during its Earth Day festivities. In addition to all the animals and attractions, the special program will include more than 50 hands-on educational earth stations and demonstrations, local environmental non-profit organizations, face painting and the opportunity to play with a gigantic Earth ball.
• If you bring a cell phone to recycle, you will get a free zoo train ride.
• Cost: Regular zoo admission rates apply.
• For more information: call 510-632-9525, ext. 122.

14th Annual California State Parks Foundation Earth Day Restoration and Clean-up

• Presented by Pacific Gas & Electric
• When: Saturday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Where: Mount Diablo State Park. Meet at Lower Summit parking lot off of Summit Road at the top of Mount Diablo State Park.
• Help preserve Mount Diablo State Park, and assist with trail maintenance, clearing vegetation from roads, painting buildings, installing fencing, and rehabilitating a campground.
• Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and garden gloves
• Registration is highly recommended.
• For more information: Call Dan Stefanisko at 925-855-1730 or email dstefanisko@parks.ca.gov. Also download the Earth Day Volunteer Handbook.

John Muir Earth Day Birthday Celebration 2011

• Presented by the John Muir Association and the National Parks Service
• When: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Where: John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez
• Take advantage of a great opportunity to visit the Victorian home and estate where John Muir penned many of his influential works that are part of the environmental canon.
• The event will feature more than 50 exhibitors, earth-friendly information, hands-on activities for all ages, and music. There will also be a recycled fashion show and silent auction, and "John Muir" will be on hand to tell some tales and share his birthday cake.
• Free parking will be available at Alhambra High School, and shuttles will be available.
• Cost: Free
• For more information: call the John Muir National Historic Site at (925) 228-8860.

Sheep Shearing Day 2011

• Presented by the San Ramon Historic Foundation
• When: Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Where: Forest Home Farms
• 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon
• 925-973-3282
• An annual local tradition. Celebrate spring and come out to see the sheep lose their winter coats. There will also be demonstrations of blacksmithing, lace making, woodcarving, quilting and spinning. Special kids' events include crafts, games, tractor rides and animals. Watch sheepdogs in action and tour the property, including Glass House. Food will be available for purchase.
• Cost: Adults (13 years or older) $7; child (3-12 years) $5; children 2 and under are free. If you pre-register early by emailing SanRamonHF@gmail.com, adults are $5, and children are $3.

April 18-21: 

Earth Week

• Where: Ohlone College
• Ohlone College will host a series of Earth Week events at its Newark and Fremont locations. The campus community will have a chance to enjoy activities like gardening in the new organic vineyard at the Newark campus or learning about worm composting. There are other talks and demonstrations that take a closer look at the state of the environment as well as eco-friendly living habits.
• For More Information: Visit Ohlone College’s website.

Earth Day Weekend: 

41st Annual Berkeley Earth Day

• When: Saturday, April 23, 12-5 p.m.
• Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley
• Billed as the Bay Area’s largest Earth Day celebration, the event features speakers, performers, sustainable urban living demonstration, free electronic waste drop-off, climbing wall, food court, and craft and community booths.
• Driving is discouraged and there will be valet bike parking,
• Cost: Free
• For more information: download the event flyer.

Earth Day San Francisco

• When: Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Where: Civic Center Plaza, 355 McAllister St., San Francisco
• Described by organizers as a “multi-cultural music festival and sustainable living road show,” the event features international speakers, sustainability leaders and organizations, green businesses, and much more.
• Cost: Free
• For more information: visit their website www.earthdaysf.com.

For a list of other San Francisco based activities, click here.

For a list of ongoing green activities and educational events, visit the Ecology Center website, or Sustainable Contra Costa’s website.