10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day All Year in Kirkland

Earth Day is on Monday, April 22.

Founded in 1970 in the U.S. as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day is now a globally celebrated holiday. More than one billion people in 192 countries will observe the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, according to the Earth Day Network.

Although Earth Day is a great reminder to be environmentally conscious, there are plenty of simple ways you can celebrate the earth all year long. Here are just 10 ways you can be eco-friendly long after Earth Day is over:

1. Plant a tree: Trees produce oxygen and help reduce air pollution. A single tree can absorb 10 pounds of air pollutants a year, and produce nearly 260 pounds of oxygen, according to the nonprofit American Forests.

2. Recycle reusable materials: The average person generates more than four pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year, according to DoSomething.org.

3. Donate or recycle used electronics: Electronic waste includes computers, cell phones, televisions and other electronic devices in working or non-working condition that are no longer used. They can be donated through Washington's ECycle program.

4. Cut back on driving: Use public transportation, organize a carpool, ride a bike or walk whenever possible. Leaving your car at home two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

5. Reduce your energy use: Unplug electronics when you’re not using them. In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

6. Use reusable bags: Each year, Americans throw away about 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags and about 10 billion paper bags, according to Earth911.

7. Buy locally: The average meal in the U.S. travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.

8. Clean up the earth: More than 51 billion pieces of litter land on U.S. roadways each year, and litter cleanup costs the nation almost $11.5 billion each year, according to the nonprofit Keep America Beautiful.

9. Explore the outdoors.

Get to know your community better and explore the beauty of nature. Go for a walk, run or hike with friends and family, or a group.

10. Participate in eco-friendly activities.

Earth Day is April 22, but many people extend the celebration to make it Earth Week. Here is a list of local events you can participate in:

Clean Sweep Needs You!

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., starting at Lake Street Starbucks.
Every year, volunteers gather to sweep, weed and get rid of a winter's worth of accumulated blight. Well fortified with coffee and pastries, volunteers clean and sweep the downtown blocks and marina.

Beginning at 9:00, the Kirkland Downtown Association will put together work teams outside Lake Street Starbucks. Bring brooms, rakes, weed diggers, crack hoes, and gardening implements. Don't worry if you don't have these items -- the Association will bring extras.

To register, go to http://volunteerkirkland.com/

Earth Day Event at Bridle Trails State Park

Join other volunteers at our annual Earth Day event, removing ivy and blackberry, and planting native plants. Morning snacks, beverages, and pizza lunch provided; Free parking on nearby street, but limited space. Map of the location: http://mapq.st/r8WXqz

Questions? Contact Jim Erckmann at (425) 827-6595, or mailto:programs@bridletrails.org. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and sturdy shoes, and dress for weather. If you have them, please bring work gloves, pruners, and shovels for your own use.

St. John's Labyrinth Walk Needs Shoes

St. John’s Episcopal Church to Celebrate its 1st Annual Earth Day Labyrinth Walk & Footwear Collection on Sunday, April 21st 2013.  The youth of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, WA is “stepping up” and taking up a collection of new and gently used footwear for all ages, babes to grownups, to help those in need of better shoes or boots.  All the donated items will be put on display as part of the St. John’s Labyrinth Walk on Earth Day, Sunday, April 21st at 11 am.  Everyone in the Kirkland area as well as the wider Christian Community is encouraged to join in the Earth Day celebration.  Bring a donation of new or gently used shoes or boots to St. John’s by Friday, April 19th and then come see them lined up around the labyrinth, and take a reflective walk to experience the spiritual connection between us and God’s wonderful creations – the earth and His people.  Click on "You Can Make a Difference" for more information.

Edith Moulton Park trails improvement work party

The Juanita Neighborhoods Association, with the help of the City of Kirkland, is organizing a work party at Edith Moulton Park (108th Avenue NE at NE 137th) at 10 am on Saturday, April 20.

The City of Kirkland will provide the tools and materials. The main effort will be to improve trails by putting gravel on muddy areas. Should take about two to three hours. Some food will be provided. Should be fun for adults and kids, too.  RSVP to Doug Rough at 425-821-5529.

*An event at Juanita Bay Park is full, organizers say.

Is your group or organization holding an Earth Day or Earth Week Activity? Add it to our calendar!