This year, 2013, Earth Day celebrates its 43rd anniversary. Find ways to celebrate, from planting seeds, to learning how to harvest sunshine. Events happen over several weekends. Also, here are some ways to help and get involved.
BioPark Party for the Planet
When: Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Aquarium, Botanic Garden, Tingley Beach and the Zoo
What can you do to protect the planet, and its animals and plants? Find out at the annual Earth Day Celebration, where hands-on activities and discovery stations will provide some answers. There will be talks and demonstrations as well, from sheep shearing to chalk art competition. The Children's Seed Festival takes place at the Botanic Gardens' Fantasy Garden. Head to the BioPark for a day of earthly fun, and take the train between locations to keep down the carbon emissions. Earth Day activities are free with admission. Call (505) 764-6214 for more information.
Celebrate the Earth Festival
When: April 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: La Montanita Coop, 3500 Central SE (on Silver between Carlisle and Tulane)
The Co-op’s Celebrate the Earth festival is a great way to spend a day. There will be information booths, ongoing entertainment, music, dancing, face painting and other fun activities for kids. There will be a Kids Bike Rodeo and other bike education. And there will be the same jam packed booths that have information such as where to buy biodiesel. Call (505) 217-2027 for more information.
City of Albuquerque Open Space Recycled Art Fair
When: Saturday, April 27 & 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd. NW
Celebrate Earth Day at the Open Space Visitor Center, where every day is Earth Day. The Open Space annual Recycled Art Fair features artists who transform used objects into works of art. There will be make and take craft projects, kids activities, music, food and more. Learn about the Bosque conservation project. For information, call 897-8831.
Coronado State Monument
On Sunday, April 21, the Coronado State Monument will have a special lecture at 2 p.m. on Restoring the Painted Kiva. Dr. Richard Reycraft will talk about what has been done and what is left to do with the kiva's restoration. The lecture will be followed by a docent led tour of the Mural Room and the Painted Kiva. $5 charge.Earth Day Hike at Jemez State Monument
On Sunday, April 21, the Coronado State Monument will offer a hike up Oak Canyon (a.k.a. Church Canyon). The strenuous 1.5 mile hike is free for New Mexico residents and led by Jemez Rangers. Bring water, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and a bagged lunch.Fruits of the Earth Free Festival
When: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, April 20 and 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, April 21Where: Anasazi Fields Winery, 26 Caminos de los Pueblitos, Placitas Enjoy the fruits of the fields grown in Placitas. There will be artists, food by Little Smokies, music, wine and poetry. A special wine release of the 1996 Sunset is also on board. Music on Saturday will be Claystone and Tim O'Rourke, and on Sunday, Stagefright Slim Sage. Bring a picnic and enjoy the fruits of the season. Admission is $5 - $15; weekend passes are available.
Green Your Bedroom
When: April
Where: Self Serve, 3904b Central SE
Learn how you can purify your bedroom at this green event. The folks at Self Serve declared April Toxic Toy Awareness Month a few years ago, and they're still on the lookout for your health and well being. There may be no regulation on in adult product manufacturing, but you can find our more at this event. For adults 18+, this is a free event. RSVP suggested.
Junkado
When: Sunday, April 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: Silver Avenue beginnig at Yale and moving east to Tulane. Junkado is a people powered performance parade. Find it at the La Montanita Co-op's Celebrate the Earth Fest. Junkado is a kinetic bike or human-powered sculpture derby. Sculptures and costumes are made of recycled materials as creatively as possible. The parade is open to groups and community organizations to celebrate a cause. Groups that enter the parade are eligible for a microgrant of $1,000. A total of 25 groups will ride. Some of the teams lined up include the Fractal Foundation, the Albuquerque Aerialist Collective, Working Classroom and Van Go!National Parks Week
When: April 20 - 28
Where: New Mexico National Parks and Monuments
Every year around Earth Day, the national parks suspend entry fees. New Mexico has a good number of parks to visit, and many are very close to Albuquerque. In addition to the El Malpais, there is Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, and the Petroglyphs National Monument. The Petroglyphs are always free, with a nominal parking charge.
Petroglyph National Monument
When: Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.Where: 6001 Unser NW
Celebrate National Parks Week with activities that include safe solar viewing, live raptor presentation, the Wild Wolf Sanctuary and hands on activities. This is a free event.
