Take part in Earth Day Fest on April 16

Clark Public Utilities’ StreamTeam is hosting its 17th annual Earth Day event, now called the Earth Day Fest, on Saturday, April 16. 

Held at Salmon Creek Regional Park near Klineline Pond, this is the largest Earth Day tree planting and celebration in Clark County, according to event organizers. The Earth Day Fest, held in partnership with Clark County Department of Environmental Services, features family friendly and educational activities, entertainment and more for all ages.

Earth Day Fest is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and tree planting and weed pulling will both be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Earth Day Fest activities will include a Family Eco Fair Celebration, which includes live entertainment and free children’s activities from local environmental organizations and businesses. Food will be available for purchase from Ingrid’s and Nellie’s.

The free Earth Day Fest will include fun hands-on activities for kids, nature walks, live music and entertainment, and booths from environmental organizations and businesses, including OMSI and Columbia Springs. 

Volunteers can help celebrate Earth Day by planting native trees, pulling garlic mustard and enjoying the EcoFair. Volunteers completing a four-hour shift receive a free lunch provided by the Salmon Creek Lions Club and a T-shirt. More than 400 volunteers and 1,400 fair attendees came together to celebrate Earth Day last year. The first 100 Earth Day Fest attendees can choose between a free lunch or an insulated grocery bag. Lunch will be available for purchase at the event. 

“Last year more than 1,800 attendees flocked to the event for free entertainment and activities,” said Ashley King, StreamTeam coordinator for Clark Public Utilities. “This year we’ve renamed the event Earth Day Fest to reflect the fun, festive spirit of the day.”

Here are the ways volunteers can get involved in the StreamTeam’s Earth Day Fest:

• Tree planting: A four-hour tree planting makes a difference

• Pull together: A family friendly, four-hour non-native garlic mustard removal

• StreamTeam leader: Share your tree-planting knowledge with others. Must have completed leader training, held April 9

• StreamTeam photographer: Volunteer your expertise to capture the volunteer spirit

• Recycle team: Direct attendees as they sort their waste at the EcoFair

Pre-registration is required for both the tree planting and weed pulling, as space is limited. Training is provided. Training, gloves and equipment are all provided for those who volunteer with the recycle team as well.

Clark County students can also celebrate Earth Day by participating in the Watershed Reflections contest. Clark Public Utilities sponsors an environmental expression contest for students based on the theme “What is a Watershed?” The contest is designed to help youth explore the natural history of the place they live and to express, through art or literature, how they feel about their discoveries. Students who are participating in this contest were required to submit their entries by April 1.

EcoFair stage schedule

Saturday, April 16

• 10 a.m. – EcoFair welcome

• 10:15 a.m. – Mr. Lizard Mobile Zoo (at fair all day)

• 10:45 a.m. – Will Hornyak, interactive storyteller

• 11 a.m. – Salmon habitat guided walk (meet at Columbia Springs table)

• 11:30 a.m. – Portland Audubon Birds of Prey (all day at fair)

• 12:15 p.m. – Will Hornyak, interactive storyteller

• 1 p.m. – Salmon habitat guided walk (meet at Columbia springs table)

• 1 p.m. – Science Circus: Physics of fun juggling (at fair all day)

• 1:45 p.m. – Watershed Reflections winners announced

• 2 p.m. – Closing remarks

For additional information on Earth Day Fest events, visit the StreamTeam website at www.StreamTeam.net, call (360) 992-8585 or email StreamTeam@clarkpud.com.