The state environmental agency is encouraging people to do their part to protect the environment this Friday on Earth Day.
The state agency will be involved in stream cleanups and a number of other events in the coming days to celebrate Earth Day, the world’s annual party to show support for environmental protection and sustainability. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970.
The public is invited to the following Earth Day-related events:
- April 22, 1-4 p.m.: State environmental education specialists are inviting the public to the agency’s second annual Earth Day volunteer event in Raleigh. This year, the state’s environmental education team will host a stream cleanup along a section of Rocky Branch that runs through the N.C. State University campus in Raleigh. Anyone is encouraged to come out and lend a hand. State employees who have supervisory approval can participate using community service leave. People can sign up online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CT72P87. Volunteers will receive an email with more information that will include directions, parking and what to bring/wear. For questions about the event please contact Tracy Weidert at 919-707-8115 or tracy.weidert@ncdenr.gov.
- April 22, 4-11 p.m. and April 23, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.: State environmental educators invite people to the BioBlitz 2016 in Durham. The BioBlitz event at the Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, is an epic nature scavenger hunt. Expert naturalists and volunteers will search Leigh Farm Park for as many species as possible in less than 24 hours. This event is a great way to combine research, education and celebration. Learn about the biodiversity of our environment, become a scientist, track a box turtle in the woods and make environmental crafts. For more information, visit www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/bioblitz2016.
- April 22-24: State environmental agency staff are also inviting people this Earth Day to join the festivities at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores during the Party for the Planet. This year’s theme focuses on migrations. Displays and activities will emphasize the birds, sea turtles and other animals that make their way from, through and to North Carolina. Aquarium educator Jeff Harms said the events during the weekend will focus on animals that migrate to North Carolina, like sea turtles, birds, sharks and fish. In addition to the migration-focused programs, the Discovery Classroom will be open for crafts and activities all three days. For more information, see www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores or call 252-247-4003.
- April 23, noon-6 p.m.: The agency is also inviting people to the Wilmington Earth Day Festival at Hugh MacRae Park. There will be plenty of earth-friendly activities, as well as live music, food, drinks, vendors and a Kids Eco Zone. You can learn more about the event at: http://www.wilmingtonearthday.com/celebrate_2016.html.
The state’s environmental education team invites people to check out its online calendar, which can be found at http://web.eenorthcarolina.org/core/event/calendar.aspx, to learn about how you can participate in other Earth Day events statewide. Many of these Earth Day events are also part of the N.C. Science Festival, which lasts through April 24. For more information about N.C. Science Festival events near you, see ncsciencefestival.org.