You can trace the "birth of the modern environmental movement" to a massive oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast in 1970. The disaster sparked millions to react, and national demonstrations called for increased environmental protections. Thus, Earth Day was born. The creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, followed.
The fight for a clean environment continues and Earth Day is now celebrated worldwide. Castro Valley Patch lists several notable events nearby.
EARTH DAY WEEKEND
, presented by Yoga in the Middle.
When: Saturday, April 23, 1-4 p.m.
Where: , 20211 Patio Dr., Suite 235, Castro Valley
Learn simple yet efficient ways to green one's daily life through t'ai chi chih and yoga. Yoga in the Middle has been certified as a green business since opening in 2009 —the first and only yoga studio in Alameda County to receive this certification.
Cost: Free, but only to participants who walk, take public transit, bike or carpool (2+ per car) to the studio.
For more information, visit: http://www.yogainthemiddle.com. Or you can call (510)537-2584 or e-mail your questions to info@yogainthemiddle.com
41st ANNUAL BERKELEY EARTH DAY
When: Saturday, April 23, 12-5 p.m.
Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley
Billed as the Bay Area’s largest Earth Day celebration, the event features speakers, performers, sustainable urban living demonstration, free electronic waste drop-off, a climbing wall, a food court, and craft and community booths.
Driving is discouraged and there will be valet bike parking.
Cost: Free
For more information download the event flyer.
When: Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Civic Center Plaza, 355 McAllister St., San Francisco
Described by organizers as a “multi-cultural music festival and sustainable living road show,” the event features international speakers, sustainability leaders and organizations, green businesses and much more.
Cost: Free
For more information, visit the website www.earthdaysf.com. For a list of other San Francisco-based activities, click here.
APRIL 30
CASTRO VALLEY COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP, presented by the Castro Valley Sanitary District.
When: Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.-noon.
Where: Five different sites throughout Castro Valley: , 4660 Crow Canyon Rd.; , 17800 Redwood Rd.; Lake Chabot Regional Park, 17600 Lake Chabot Rd.; Castro Valley Creek, 3600 Norbridge Ave.,, 3301 Norbridge Dr. (meet at the northeast corner of the parking lot).
From clearing weeds to planting native trees, you can help beautify and clean up Castro Valley at one of five sites. Last year, nearly 800 volunteers at a record 13 Castro Valley schools participated.
Materials, a light breakfast and a T-shirt will be provided for all volunteers. All yard trimmings from the clean-up and food scraps from the breakfast will be composted.
Cost: Free, but should be registered by April 13.
For more information or to see if any available site openings are left, call 510-537-0757.
RECYCLING AND COMPOST GIVE-AWAY AT CANYON MIDDLE SCHOOL
When: Saturday, April 30, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: lower parking lot.
Castro Valley residents are encouraged to drop off their unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter drugs and old mattresses to be recycled or properly disposed of. Sensitive documents will be accepted for shredding. Free bags of compost are available for pick-up on a first-come-first-serve basis. Supplies are limited, so come early.
Cost: Free to Castro Valley Sanitary District residents and businesses. Bring photo ID or WMAC/utility bill to event.
For more information on restrictions that may apply, click here, or call 510-537-0757.
