Mother Earth is putting on a beautiful spring show with eye-popping blooms, blue skies (at least sometimes) and soft breezes. If that makes you feel like celebrating, head to one or two of these Earth Day events.
Friday
Join volunteers at Washougal Waterfront Park, 56 S. First St., Washougal, from 2 to 4 p.m. to plant native trees and shrubs to help restore a wetland near the Port of Camas-Washougal. Attendees should bring shovels if possible. Learn more at portcw.com/news-events/.
Saturday
Fourth Plain Forward will celebrate Earth Day 1-4 p.m. with the installation of “Mother Camas,” carved by Yakama Nation artist Toma Villa, at the intersection of St. Johns Boulevard and Q Street. Mother Camas depicts the narrative of Grandmother Camas, who transformed herself into camas bulbs to save her children from starvation. The event will include free food, vendors and family activities hosted by Columbia Play Project.
First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver, is offering a free showing of “The Story of Plastic,” from 4 to 6 p.m. Watch the award-winning documentary with free popcorn, free lemonade and free parking. To learn more, visit vanfpc.church.
Clark Public Utilities StreamTeam and Columbia Springs will host an Earth Day tree planting from 8 a.m. to noon at 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, Vancouver. No experience is necessary for this rain-or-shine event and all ages are welcome. Refreshments will be provided and volunteers will get a free canvas tote bag. Volunteers should dress for the weather with outdoor boots or shoes. Volunteers should bring work gloves and water. Parking is limited, so attendees are encouraged to carpool. Register at www.eventbrite.com.
Sunday
The Camas Earth Day Society, the Camas Library and the Camas Bee Lady will host a Pollinator Party from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas. Volunteers will help rejuvenate the garden by the beehive at the front of the library. Attendees should bring work gloves. Staff will provide tools and instructions. All ages are welcome. Register at www.camasearthdaysociety.com/events.html.
Monday (Earth Day)
Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners for a day of community service from 10 a.m. to noon at the Natural Demonstration Garden at Pacific Park, 1515 N.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver. Volunteers will see recent design updates and then work on tasks including weeding and laying down pavers. Volunteers should dress for the weather. Register at eventbrite.com. Enter the park from Northeast 172nd Street. For more details, email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or call 564-397-5738.
Earth Day is one of the 12 days a year when a Discover Pass is not required to park on any land managed by the Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The next fee-free day is June 8, National Get Outdoors Day. Free Discover Passes can be earned by volunteering on public lands. Learn more at discoverpass.wa.gov.
April 25
Pacific Garbage Patch Babies, quirky trash sculptures designed to raise awareness of what we consume and how our actions impact waterways, will be on display from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, 109 W. Seventh St., Vancouver. Watershed Alliance of Southwest Washington volunteer Al Spector created the sculptures from hundreds of bread bags, cereal box liners, empty cheese packets and pieces of Styrofoam. Spector will discuss his one-year sculpture-making experiment, share ocean facts and help attendees create their own mini-Garbage Patch Babies. Attendees are encouraged to make a $10 tax-deductible donation to cover the cost of materials. A Spanish translator will offer bilingual assistance. Spector’s original Garbage Patch Babies will be available to adopt, complete with a certificate. The event is best for people age 12 and over. Register at thewatershedalliance.org/events/. For more details, email micayla@thewatershedalliance.org.
