The month of April has been designated to inspire appreciation and awareness of the earth’s environment. Founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day began as a response to widespread environmental degradation. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 with over 20 million participants. It brought Americans out into the spring sunshine for peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform. Earth Day is now observed each year by more than 500 million people worldwide and several national governments in 175 countries.

This year there will be many different and exciting events in the area celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. On April 22nd from noon to 3:00 pm, 92.5 The River, Boston’s independent and solar-powered radio, will be hosting a free outdoor concert on the Rose Fitzgerald Greenway, featuring They Might be Giants and Citizen Cope! The Greenway is conveniently located in the Greenway’s Wharf District Parks near the New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall, and the Financial District. The park will be transformed into a fun outdoor atmosphere that includes free music, arts and crafts and other activities.
 

Clay Hill Farm in York, ME will be observing Earth Day on April 22nd from 6-9pm with Clay Hill: Unplugged 2010. This will be an informal evening celebrating local food, local music and local resources. Candlelight sets the tone for a night to meet and greet like-minded folk in a relaxed setting all set to a background of local music. An annual event in Clay Hill Farm's environmental awareness calendar, Unplugged celebrates all shades of green on Earth Day, showcasing real people making a real difference in our communities. Tickets will be $15 in advance, and $18 at the door. Green Card holders enjoy $3 off the ticket price!

In Hampton, on April 24th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, The Hampton Academy School will also be celebrating Earth Day with its second annual Earth Awareness Fair! The fair will be drawing attention to the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, energy conservation, and sustainability. Additionally, as part of the effort to “Reuse”, they will be encouraging neighborhood “yard sales.”Money for the fair will go to the Recycling Education Committee to further promote recycling education.

In Kittery, the Kittery Energy Advisory Committee in conjunction with Spruce Creek Association and the Kittery Land Trust will be hosting their own Earth Day event on April 24th from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Autoworks. There will be mini-workshops with speakers to talk about energy saving ideas and information about the recent award of the $500,000 regional block grant. Many green businesses will be there with information about green and energy saving products and ideas!

For more information on the Boston Earth Day Event, click here!
For more information on Clay Hill Farm: Unplugged, click here!
For more information on the Hampton Earth Day event, email dakepner@earthlink.net
For more information on the Kittery Earth Day event, email nanef@comcast.net