2009 Earth Day Events in San Mateo County

Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental movement. On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies.

Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, farmers, and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

Sen. Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor given to civilians in the United States -- for his role as Earth Day founder.

Earth Day is a time to celebrate the wonders of the natural world. It is a time to reflect on the importance of nature in our everyday lives and it is a time to get involved in local efforts to preserve the environment. In San Mateo County you will find many opportunities to make a difference. All events listed are free to the public unless otherwise stated.

• Events and Celebrations
• Volunteer Opportunities

• National Environmental Education
  Week April 12-18
• GREENLIGHT Earth Day Film Festival
  Thursday, April 16
• Clean Up Action Day
  Pacifica
  Saturday, April 18
• Earth Day on the Bay at Marine Science Institute
  Saturday, April 18
• Earth Day at Coyote Point Museum, San Mateo
  Saturday, April 18

• The 1st Annual Farmers of Hwy 92 Celebrate Earth Day, Half Moon Bay
  Week April 18-19
• Portola Valley Earth Day Fair
  April 18
• Granting Green Wishes Idea Contest
  Submission deadline: April 22
• Eichler Home Tour 2009: Green Innovations
  April 24th and 25th
• Belmont Community Fesitval
  Saturday, April 25th

National Environmental Education Week is the single largest organized environmental education event in the United States. It increases the educational impact of Earth Day by creating a full week of environmentally-themed lessons and activities in K-12 classrooms, and off site locations.

To register visit: http://www.eeweek.org/register.htm.

Students (grades 6-12) and residents of the following San Mateo County Cities are invited to submit self-made films: Menlo Park, Atherton, and East Palo Alto. All entries and forms must be submitted by March 27th.

For more information visit http://www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/environment/news/details.asp?NewsID=766&TargetID=59.

Select a beach, habitat, or creek area to beautify - 9 -11:30 AM. Celebration: 12-2 PM. Event benefit surf-related movie "Finding Aloha" screening on Friday, March 27th.

For more information visit http://www.pacificabeachcoalition.org/.

For more information visit http://www.sfbaymsi.org/baylines.html.

Meet local wildlife, try exciting science activities, check out new green technologies, and help clean up our coastline.

For more information visit http://www.coyoteptmuseum.org/activities/family-events/earth-day.

The 1st Annual Farmers of Hwy 92 Celebrate Earth Day.
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Farm tours, greenhouse tours, agricultural, environmental and educational demonstrations, such as livestock viewing / feeding and crop planting demonstrations; farm animals, pony rides, train rides and hay rides; live music

For more information visit http://www.Halfmoonbayevents.com/.

The fair will provide the community with the tools and resources to make their homes more efficient, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. It will be held in the Community Hall of the town's new green Town Center:
Town Center Community Hall
765 Portola Road

For more information visit http://www.portolavalley.net/index.aspx?page=27&recordid=74&returnURL=%2findex.aspxhttp://www.eichlerhometour.com/

Recently remodeled Eichler homes, and an original-condition Eichler home will be open to the public. Crafts of various sorts to be featured at the Highlands Recreation Center from 9 AM - 1 PM.

Purchase tickets and get more information http://www.eichlerhometour.com/

Barrett Community Center, 1835 Belburn Drive, Belmont, 10 AM - 3 PM. Includes energy and water savings for home & garden, getting started composting, cost-effective green remodeling, and more; great ideas and giveaways from local green businesses and nonprofits.

More info