What to do in Vancouver for Earth Day: Part One
April is almost here, and with it comes Earth Day. We’re gearing up to go green next month at VancouverMom.ca. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver to celebrate all things sustainable, we have some great suggestions for you. In part one today we’re sharing our first 25 ideas. Read on
What to do in Vancouver: Go Green for Earth Day
1. Celebrate Earth Day in Vancouver at Everett Crowley Park.
Saturday, April 21, 2012. 11:00am – 4:00pm. Free.
Help plant 1000 native trees at the old Kerr Road Dump, which is now a natural green refuge for people and wildlife. Music, entertainment, educational displays and food vendors will be on site.
2. Ride your bike along the Stanley Park seawall.
3. Let your kids dig in the mud.
When you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver for a little bit of rainy day fun, this is a fabulous, low-budget option.
4. Read Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv.
Louv shares a convincing argument on why it’s critical for kids to have free time to spend in natural places, for their health and the health of the planet.
5. Shop for toxin-free sunscreen.
We’re hoping for a gorgeous summer in Vancouver!
6. Swap seeds with a friend.
7. Visit the Beaty Biodiversity Museum.
2212 Main Mall, UBC
Featuring a massive blue whale skeleton, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum is a great place to explore ecology with kids. Family programs including story time, crafts, activities and museum tours run at various times every day. Check out their website for more programs for kids and adults.
8. Read up on the dirty dozen and clean fifteen.
Knowing which foods carry the most pesticide residue helps you make budget conscious shopping choices and avoid the most polluted produce.
9. Go for a walk in the forest.
When it comes to what to do in Vancouver, you can’t beat a little bit of time outside. Our city so beautiful because it’s surrounded by nature. Need a suggestion? Try the Grouse Grind.
10. Go to the Wilderness Committee’s Earth Day Parade.
Commercial Drive and Grandview Highway
Sunday, April 22, 2012. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Free.
Organizers promise “The Most Fun You Ever Had Saving the Planet!” Parade participants will meet at the corner of Commercial Dr. and Grandview Highway, then head north along Commercial Dr towards Grandview Park, where an Earth Day festival will be held. Costumes, cats, bicycles and banners are welcome!
11. Safely dispose of any unwanted household poisons and pesticides you may have around the house.
Need more info? The government can help.
12. Bake a loaf of bread.
13. Set up a composter.
Vancouver South Transfer Station, 377 West Kent Avenue North
Proof of residency is required. Composters are $25 each, including taxes.
Composting your kitchen scraps is easy, and you can do it in your own backyard. When it’s ready, you can use the compost to feed your trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables.
14. Go birdwatching.
15. Attend the Richmond Earth Day Youth Summit.
Steveston-London Secondary School
Saturday, April 21, 2012. 9:00am – 1:00pm. Free.
The REaDY Summit is a conference for local youth and adult environmental stewards. There will be over 30 engaging sustainability presenters, including a keynote from the David Suzuki Foundation CEO and a sustainable seafood cooking demonstration.Register online at ready2012.eventzilla.net, or check out their Facebook page for more information.
16. Do a neighbourhood cleanup and clear your street of any garbage.
17. Use vinegar and water to clean your windows.
18. Hang a load of laundry to dry outside instead of using the dryer.
19. Wash a load of laundry on cold instead of hot.
20. Read the ingredients on the cosmetic and personal care products you use every day.
If you need help, check out their safety ratings on the Cosmetic Safety Database.
21. Come out to the Chillliwack Earth Day Cleanup.
Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, 43971 Industrial Way
Sunday, April 22, 2012. 10:00am – 1:00pm. Free.
Help the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn clean up Yale Road West and the surrounding area. For more information contact Sarah Pudwell at 604.795.3828 or email [email protected].
22. Sprout some alfalfa seeds.
Need help getting started? We’re here to help with some indoor gardening tips!
23. Take the bus.
24. Clear out a closet and give away the things you don’t need on Freecycle.
25. Participate in the Green City Race.
Saturday, April 21, 2012. Race 11:00am – 2:00pm, awards 2:00 – 4:00pm. Registration is $30 before March 21st and $40 after.
Put your mad skills to the test by joining up with a teammate or two and racing across Vancouver by public transit and on foot to find clues, complete challenges and locate green scavenger hunt items.
Those are our first 25 suggestions for what to do in Vancouver to go green, have a little fun and celebrate Earth Day. Stay tuned, because next week we have 25 more to share with you.
*Photo credit: Feature image of the Stanley Park Seawall courtesy of Kenny Louie on Flickr.
