Celebrate Earth During Earth Week With These Events

Earth Week is next week!  It’s the one week of the year to appreciate the planet we live on!

Earth Day is a worldwide event that is celebrated by more than 500 million people in 175 countries every year.  In 2009, the United Nations declared April 22 as International Mother Earth Day.  Earth Day is planned for April 22 every year through 2015.

Earth Day was first observed in San Francisco and other cities on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.   Soon after, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day to be held on April 22, 1970.  Over 20 million people participated that year.

Here’s a look at some Earth Day events happening around our area:

• Party for the Planet at ZooMontana – Sunday, April 22, 10:00a.m- 3:00p.m.  Come to ZooMontana and Party for the Planet at their Earth Day celebration! Local businesses and organizations will be on hand to help teach you ways to live a more eco-friendly life. Enjoy games and activities for kids and adults.

• Earth Day celebration at the Audubon Conservation Education Center in Billings –  Saturday, April 21, 9:30a.m.- 1:00p.m.  Come out for a morning of volunteer work at the center followed by free BBQ lunch and bicycle raffle.

• Montana Envirothon State Competition in Lewistown – Saturday, April 20-21.  $500 college scholarships for each first place team member.  The winning team will go on to compete in the Canon Competition in North Carolina.

• Sage Spa Earth Day Event – Monday, April 23, 9:00a.m.- 8:00p.m.  Come to Sage Spa and treat yourself to a facial, manicure, pedicure or massage and help protect Yellowstone National Park.  100 percent of the proceeds go to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.