Cool Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Each year, April 22 marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. (Remember those days? We were all so earnest!) As Wikipedia explains: "On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Now, Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year."

There are probably 1,000 things you can do to honor the day -- bike to work, eat your (local) vegetables, plant something, sign up for a CSA share with a local farmer, or join in one of the many events scheduled throughout the state. Here are some of my favorites:

Saturday, April 19th, 10 am-5 pm
Benefit for Denver Urban Gardens at Ten Thousand Villages,
2626 E. 3rd Ave., Denver
Celebrate the spirit of Earth Day by supporting Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) during a community shopping benefit at Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 36 countries, they are part of a network of more than 150 retail outlets throughout the United States. As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. A founding member of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade. As well as supporting artisans in developing countries, they also sell products from local initiatives such as the Women's Bean Project and the Gathering Place. On Saturday, April 19th, ten percent of all sales that day will be donated to DUG. Your purchases will contribute to healthy, productive stewardship of our earth, while also supporting countless artisans around the world. And they have cool stuff, too!

Saturday, April 19, 8 am - 11:00 am
Gunnison's Twelfth Annual Community Cleanup - Gunnison CO
Gunnison’s 12th annual community clean up to clean up the town after the long winter! Lot’s of activities, and a free breakfast for participants! Be green, think globally, act locally. For more information, contact Pam Cunningham at pcunningham@cityofgunnison-co.gov.

Tuesday, April 22
Chef's Collaborative Earth Day Dinner
Q’s Restaurant, 2115 13th Street, Boulder, CO
On April 22, 2008, Q's Restaurant will host an Earth Dinner. Sponsored by Organic Valley, Earth Dinners are a time to celebrate our connection to food, the earth, and one another. Q's will be serving a four-course dinner for $40 per person, or a four-course dinner paired with domestic organic wines. for $55 per person. For information, contact Q's Restaurant at 303.442.4880.

Thursday, April 17 through Mid May
Support Denver's Million Tree Initiative - Tree by Tree
Tree by Tree is a highly participatory component of Greenprint Denver -- with the goal of planting a million trees in Denver by 2025. From now through mid-May, more than 50 tree planting events are scheduled throughout the Denver metro area, and many events still need volunteers. For a schedule of events and to sign up, visit the Tree by Tree Initiative's website.

If you have other ideas, please share them in the comments section. Meanwhile, have fun, and happy Earth Day!