Earth Day 2013 on the calendar is Monday, April 22. However, since weekends are the best times for people to be out and about, our Reno and Lake Tahoe Earth Day activities take place on more than one weekend. At UNR, there will be a week of activities leading up to Earth Day. That gives us a great selection of both environmentally friendly functions and days on which to enjoy them. Attend an Earth Day event and have fun with the family learning about recycling, alternative energy, sustainability, and ways to protect the environment.
Earth Day at Idlewild Park in Reno
Sunday, April 21 - Idlewild Park is the setting for Reno's Annual Earth Day Celebration. Organizers for Earth Day 2013 have reserved all of Idlewild Park for the celebration, with an expanded variety of exhibitors, sponsors, workshops, and activities. As in the past, there will be plenty of tasty food, beverages, and lots of family - friendly fun for everyone. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There will be areas with specific themes, some of which are new for Earth Day 2013 in Reno.
- Artists Grove
- Animalia Kingdom
- Conservation Zone
- Earth Innovations
- Future of Transportation
- The Garden
Animalia Kingdom will be a pet - friendly area with doggie day care available. Pets are still not allowed in other areas of Earth Day at Idlewild Park.
Another new feature this year is Little Explorers' Expedition, a treasure map game for kids and families that involves finding and participating in numerous Earth Day activities. Those finding at least five activities on the map will qualify for a treasure from the prize gallery.
There will be three stages featuring live performances at Earth Day, plus roving entertainers and who knows what else. If you are interested in performing, go online and fill out the screening form or contact Heather Howell - (775) 771-1828 (txt or call) or howellderosa@gmail.com.
Those wanting information on being an exhibitor or sponsor can learn more from "Reno Earth Day Exhibitors."
Volunteers are needed for a variety of Earth Day tasks. Visit the Reno Earth Day volunteers page for more information and to submit an online application.
Earth Day in Reno is a popular event that draws a big crowd. Parking in and around Idlewild Park is limited, so be sure to leave yourselves plenty of time to find a parking slot and walk to the event. Carpooling with friends is a good idea and in keeping with the Earth Day theme. For more information, refer to "Parking in Downtown Reno."
Earth Week at the University of Nevada, Reno
Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19 - Celebrate and learn about options for more sustainable living at the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Educational programs and demonstrations will focus on sustainability efforts and examples of green campus and community resources. There will be educational displays, interactive exhibits, student presentations and films. From Tuesday through Friday, events will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gateway Plaza in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union. All events are free and open to the public. Here is the schedule of events...
- Monday, 7 p.m.: The film "Bidder 70" is about an environmental activist. It will show in the Joe Crowley Student Union's third-floor theater.
- Tuesday, April 16: Alternative Transportation. Eco-Friendly vehicles, Campus Cycling Coalition Bike Repair Clinic.
- Wednesday, April 17: Alternative Energy and Water. Energy-generating bicycle with interactive demonstration (cellphone recharging station), Black Rock Solar Energy Trailer.
- Thursday, April 18: Waste, Recycling and Local Foods.
- The Return of the Bag Monster, offering free reusable grocery bags to the first 200 people
- Dumpster Dive with trash collected throughout the University.
- Plastic-bottle recycling displays around campus.
- Plant giveaway sponsored by the University's Arboretum Board.
- Recycled art made by Children of the Child and Family Research Center.
- Local food and farming information from Urban Roots and River School, select items available for purchase.
- Master Gardener demonstrations including low-tunnel hoop housing and alternative planting.
- "Story of Stuff" movie at 6 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union third-floor theater.
- "A Community of Gardeners" free movie and panel discussion, 6 p.m. at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, 4955 Energy Way in Reno.
- Friday, April 19: Valley Road Field Labs and Greenhouse Complex Tours, at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.: The University's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources offers two tours of the Agricultural Experiment Station located at 1000 Valley Road in Reno.
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival at Squaw Valley
Saturday, April 20 - The Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival will be at the Village at Squaw Valley USA, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A free e-waste collection event will begin at 10 a.m. in the Village parking lot. This free event will feature science experiments for kids from The Science Wizard, entertainment featuring The Sierra Drifters, Sneaky Creatures, and the Envirolution Trashion Show. The largest environmental event in the region, The Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival provides an opportunity to learn about recycling, composting, alternative energy, sustainability, watershed and forest health, and reducing our carbon footprint. The event schedule will show you what's happening and when.
Part of the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival is a free e-waste collection event for area residents in the parking lot of the Village at Squaw Valley USA. This is not a free-for-all. Be sure to read the list of accepted items (and those not accepted) before hauling your old electronics and other stuff to the event. Collection will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. For more information, call (530) 582-2909. Tahoe SAFE Alliance will also be there collecting old cell phones to support their programs.
Tahoe Area Regional Transit (T.A.R.T.) will be offering free, round-trip festival transportation from North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Truckee.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
On Thursday, April 18, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be playing at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley. There will be about 90 minutes of movies on topics including water, climate change, energy, conservation, wildlife, and outdoor adventure adventure. Several films will show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Advance tickets are on sale at New Moon Natural Foods in Tahoe City and Truckee.
On Friday, April 19, the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival will show again at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley. Same times and format as above, but this showing will feature a different set of movies, so you are encouraged to attend both.
South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 27 - Celebrate Mother Earth at the South Lake Tahoe Earth Day Festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bijou Community Park, 1201 Al Tahoe Blvd. in South Lake Tahoe. Bring the family to learn about alternative energy, water conservation, sustainability, and reducing our ecological footprint. Enjoy live music all day and check out educational booths, conservation activities, and Washoe culture. Food and local crafts will be available for purchase, and a Kid Zone will keep the young ones busy with earth day crafts, hands-on activities, face painting, story time, and the bounce house. Admission is free. The event schedule shows you what's going on and when. For more information, contact one of the Committee members.
Sources: Earth Day events websites, University of Nevada, Reno press release.
