Sure, you could sit back and watch the slow march of global warming turn our home into a wasteland, or you could step up and help keep it viable for a few more years. On Saturday, April 25, there are ample opportunities to do your part, as local environmental organizations host several Earth Day cleanups across the North Coast: Oyster Beach, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Indian Island, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Humboldt Coastal Nature Center, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Mad River/Blue Lake, 9 a.m. to noon; and Crab Park, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
After you've spent the morning scouring beaches and river banks, do yourself a solid and head over to the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center for the Earth Day Hoedown from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. There'll be food and beverages for sale (including the Taco Faktory and beer donated by Mad River Brewing Company), kid's activities, face-painting, a dutch raffle, live painting by Matt Beard, music by Lyndsey Battle and Striped Pig String Band, with a barn dance called by Nigella Mahal. If you volunteer for one of the above Earth Day cleanups, the event is free — otherwise it's a $5-$10 sliding scale.
Your Mama raised you right. Show her some love.
— Kali Cozyris