Honoring Earth Day Go Green at Parks and Other Community Events “


New River Gorge National River, in West Virginia. “Many haven’t been exposed to basic outdoor nature activities.” That’s why the National Park Service annually sponsors more than 57,000 local school and park programs across the country, reaching 2.9 million students each year. More than 810,000 children also are participating in its Junior Ranger program. Many programs reflect First Lady Mi- chelle Obama’s child wellness initiative, with the appropriate twist, “Let’s move outside.” This year’s National Park Week, from April 20 to 28, centered on Earth Day, will offer free weekday admission to all 398 national parks from April 22 to 26, adding 134 more historic sites, preserves, recreation areas and other sites to the usual 264 with no entrance fee. Earth Day’s 43rd anniversary celebrations throughout America and worldwide will encourage everyone to join in the next “billion acts of green,” aligned with the theme: The Face of Climate Change. “In the face of unprecedented occurrences of extreme weather, loss of species and pollution, it is clear that climate change is affecting our planet. We cannot afford to wait any longer to act,” advises the Earth Day Network, which posts many ideas for participating at EarthDay.org/takeaction. Find local park activities by state at nps.gov/findapark/event-search.htm or check a


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park’s website for upcoming programs. In Southwest Florida, visit Big Cypress National Preserve at nps.gov/bicy and Everglades National Park at nps.gov/ever. Also consider the following local events held to help citizens of all ages answer the call to go green.


THE NAPLES ZOO AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS – PARTY FOR THE PLANET 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 6


Party for the Planet, the national Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) annual Earth Day event, is hosted by AZA-accredited institutions nationwide and is one of the largest Earth Day celebrations on record. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly conserva- tion fun at the Naples Zoo.


• Goodwill Industries will host crafts for kids and information for parents


• Conservation Station has information about orga- nizations that protect the Naples environment


• Zoo Town for Kidz includes fun games and arts and crafts made from recycled materials


• Nature’s Mall features green-friendly businesses


Location: 1590 Goodlette Rd., Naples. For more information, call the Info ZooLine at 239-262-5409 or visit NaplesZoo.com.


EARTH DAY WALK AT CALOO- SAHATCHEE REGIONAL PARK


9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20


Join park staff on a 1.5-mile stroll through a beautiful oak hammock, an ecologically vital plant commu- nity that is home to Southwest Florida native wildlife and migratory birds. Bring a water bottle and packed lunch to enjoy at the park following the walk.


Cost: Program is free with paid parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Location: 18500 N. River Rd., Alva. For more information, call 239- 533-7440 or 239-694-0398 or visit LeeParks.org.


LEE COUNTY GAC EARTH DAY TRASH BASH 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 20


Sponsored by Keep Lee County Beautiful, this 24th annual countywide cleanup and beautification campaign—the nation’s largest organized event of its kind—is part of the nationwide Great American Cleanup (GAC) effort sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.


Location: Check-in and collection sites, including Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and Burnt Store Marina, Cape Coral, are located throughout the county. For a site list and more information, contact Trish at 239-334-3488 or visit klcb.org/ sp_greatamericancleanup.htm.


16 Collier/Lee Counties swfl.NaturalAwakeningsMag.com


ost kids don’t have a clue what wil- derness means,” observes Robin Snyder, chief of visitor services at


SOUTHWEST FLORIDA GREEN FAMILY EXPO AT ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS


9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 20


• VIP reception with Ina May Gaskin (6 p.m., Fri- day) and special screening of her award-winning documentary, Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm Midwives (1 p.m., Saturday). See interview with Ina May Gaskin on page 36.


• Great Cloth Diaper Change in pursuit of new Guin- ness World Record, sponsored by EcoBaby & Home


• Solar oven design and culinary competition for fourth to eighth grade students, presented by the Imaginarium Science Center


• Keynote presentation by Gaskin, live music, educational workshops, raffles, prizes and games


Cost: $5/single household; Gaskin reception – $50 in advance, $60 at the door; movie screening – $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Location: 10091 Mc- Gregor Blvd., Fort Myers. For more information and preregistration, visit GreenFamilyExpo.org or InaMayMovie.com.


CONSERVANCY NATURE CENTER GRAND REOPENING WEEKEND FESTIVAL 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21


Visit the 21-acre facility after completion of $20 million in sustainable renovations, with nature fun for all ages to celebrate our water, land, wildlife and future. Presented by Wells Fargo and support- ing sponsors Bank of America, Waste Management and PNC.


• Presentations by Dr. Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, explorer, author and National Geographic writer and lecturer, at noon (general public) and 2 p.m. (members) on Saturday


• Visit six new and renovated buildings


• Live music, food vendors, crafts, exhibitors and interactive programs


Location: 1450 Merrihue Dr., next to the Naples Zoo. New entrance: Smith Preserve Way, off Good- lette Rd. Cost: members, free; adults, $10; children 3 to 12, $5. For more information, call grand reopen- ing hotline at 239-430-2466 or visit Conservancy. org/grandreopening. Convenient, free off-site park- ing available at Colonial Square Office Park and Lake Park Elementary School, with trolley service provided. No onsite parking at the Conservancy due to scale of weekend events. See ad, page 15.


EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 20


• Wonder Program for children focusing on trees, starting at 10:30 a.m.


• Facility tours starting at 11 a.m.


• Orchid Society representative will answer ques- tions on plant care from 1 to 4 p.m.


Admission fee: $12.95/adults; $7.95/children 4-14. Free for members. Location: 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples. For more information, call 239-643-7275 or visit NaplesGarden.org.


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