Our Earth - Our Chance
"Countdown to Earth Day"
The Mountain-Area communities recognize our call to be good stewards of Our Earth. This is Our Chance to: provide opportunities to work together to learn, to empower and to act, in order to care for our land, water, air, climate and all those living on Our Earth, who are blessed to share these gifts.
Synopsis of “Our Earth, Our Chance” events
April, 2013
In 1990, a grassroots effort to promote environmental sustainability through community involvement and education resulted in the Mountain Area Earth Day Fair. This event will celebrate its 24th anniversary on April 20th at the Evergreen Lake House. Still planned and operated by a small group of citizens, the fair draws as many as 2,000 people to the Lake House to participate in visiting exhibits, viewing the raptors of Hawkquest, and perusing a variety of homemade and local arts, crafts and products. The Café at the Place provides fresh, local food for purchase. This event is an Evergreen tradition every spring and is the only event that brings together government agencies, local merchants, youth groups, nonprofits, and a host of volunteers on an annual basis to celebrate the Earth through hands on exhibits, conversations, and children’s activities. The event is always free and welcomes families of all ages.
In 2011, the Earth Day Fair expanded to include a speaker series held at the Evergreen Nature Center. The Center, which is operated by Evergreen Audubon and has its season opening on the day of the fair, was gracious to offer space and support for about 4 or 5 speakers who addressed a variety of environmental topics.
The following year, Earth Week was created to highlight certain green topics such as birds, climate change, the proposed Evergreen community garden, and an event for youth featuring local band, Dakota Blonde, and heralded children’s book author, Lynne Cherry.
For 2013, a very exciting lineup of diverse events will provide the mountain and foothills communities with opportunities to learn about and participate in local issues such as gardening, faith perspectives, water sources, and the effects of climate change. A family event with music and fun is in the works along with a “green comedy” evening with our own Evergreen comedian! Nearly a dozen nonprofits, businesses, and individuals have banded together to create programs that will appeal to our community on a variety of levels.