On Whidbey Island, Earth Day has expanded to encompass the whole month of April.
Collectively known as Whidbey Earth and Ocean Month, the activities appeal to a wide range of interests, ages, and backgrounds. After a pause due to world events for the last two years, this year’s Earth and Ocean Month is returning with more activities than ever, according to a press release from Goosefoot.
The overall theme for the 2022 event is “Caring for Our Common Home” with activities focusing on four areas: waste, transportation, water and food.
Participating organizations include the Greening Congregations Collaborative, Island Transit, Orca Network, Pacific Rim Institute, Sno-Isle Libraries, South Whidbey Tilth, Whidbey Audubon Society and Whidbey Watershed Stewards. Goosefoot helped organize the activities.
Most events are free and open to everyone. A complete schedule is available at www.whidbeyearthday.org.
The month will include the following events:
Rags, Rubbish, and Refuse: Artists Who Get Dirty in the Bayview Cash Store Hub Gallery features artwork made exclusively from recycled and repurposed materials from local artists. On view April 1 – May 8. For more information call Marian Myszkowski at (360) 321-4232.
Family in Nature in Deception Pass State Park helps families explore the wonder of nature. This 90-minute nature-based program is fun and highly interactive for children ages 3-5 years old and their families. These programs are held every other Friday and Saturday starting April 1 and are held in partnership with the Deception Pass Park Foundation and the Fidalgo Nature School. Contact Hayley at 360-675-3767 ext. 231 or Hayley.johnson@parks.wa.gov.
Planting at the Prairie (Wed, April 6 at 9 a.m.): Come restore a native prairie by planting grasses and forbs at Admiralty Inlet Preserve in Coupeville. Sign up at www.wclt.org/get-involved/volunteer or contact Taylor Schmuki at taylor@wclt.org.
Adventures of the Wild Wolf (Fri, April 8 at 4 p.m.): Deep in the mystical mountains of western North Carolina, if you listen quietly at night, you might hear the ancient and enthralling sound of … a wolf! Although wolves no longer live in the wild in western NC, they definitely still live here in the West. Tanya and Rob will read and act out passages from her book. Sponsored by Sno-Isle Libraries and held online; register at sno-isle.bibliocommons.com/events/61f0741ef1cb7141003b0fc2,
Low Tide Beach Walk (Wed, April 20 at 1:30 p.m.): Jointly offered by the Sound Water Stewards and the Marine Resource Committee, stroll the beach at Bush Point and learn more about the ecology of the waters around Whidbey. Register by contacting education@soundwaterstewards.org
Whale of a Bus Tour to the Welcome the Whales Festival (Sat, April 23): Come onboard with a whale watching guide to learn about marine mammals on your way to the festival in Langley. Catch the free Island Transit bus in Oak Harbor departing at 9:50 a.m. and ride the bus for free down the island and then back after the festival.
Guided walks, work parties, and additional lectures and gatherings will take place throughout Whidbey during the month of April.
