The arrival of Spring heralds a season of renewal, thoughts of a garden growing season and warmer weather — enabling the enjoyment of nature once again.
Saturday, April 22 will also bring a renewal of a popular Salida community event – Earth Day 2023.
The local Central Colorado Climate Coalition and community partners will present this annual celebration of our planet with the popular Parade for the Species beginning at 11:00 a.m. There will be participants dressed in costumes of their favorite animal, plant or insect, marching with environmentally-themed banners and musicians from Alpine Park down F Street through downtown to the Arkansas River at 12:00 noon. Parade participants should assemble at Alpine Park beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Participants are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle and enjoy lunch in the downtown after the parade.
Ken Brandon at Box of Bubbles invites any individuals or organizations interested in making costumes, banners, or other parade decorations from recycled materials to contact him directly for workshop space and art assistance. He can be reached by calling Box of Bubbles at 719-539-7443.
The Earth Day parade seen moving down F Street to Riverside Park. Dan Smith photo.
Later, the Climate Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will host Act Locally, A Speaker Series at the Riverside Park Scout Hut, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring presentations from local volunteers representing organizations working on environmental education and demonstrating what citizens can do to enhance sustainability in Central Colorado.
Speakers and topics will be announced in the near future. Seating at the Scout Hut will be limited to about 75 people, and a small donation is requested for those wishing to take part in the speaker program.
A used clothing recycling program is also part of the celebration. Citizens are encouraged to bring worn-out jeans and shoes to donation boxes outside the Scout Hut.
According to the EPA, one in two people are throwing their unwanted clothes straight into the trash, meaning 16 million tons of textile waste ends up in American landfills each year. Recycled jeans will be turned into home insulation, and shoes are recycled into playground equipment. Participants are encouraged to make a difference by shipping their used shoes and jeans straight to recyclers instead, using the free donation station on Earth Day, or donating themselves. Free shipping labels are available by visiting bluejeansgogreen.org.
For more information, and to see the complete calendar of partner Earth Day events, visit the Climate Coalition website.
Featured image: Earth Day Celebrants enter Riverside Park during the Parade for the Species. Dan Smith photo.
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