The entire month of April has kind of become Earth Month, but “the” global Earth Day” is this weekend officially on Sunday, April 22nd.  There are loads of things going on around the bay to celebrate.  San Francisco alone, has 18 events taking place.  But our focus is San Mateo County, so here’s how you can participate in helping to make our planet in our corner of the world a better place to live. Almost everything I’m mentioning below will take place on Saturday, rain or shine.

In Millbrae, there’s going to be a Park Clean-up and Fair on Saturday. This will start at 8 AM at Meadows Park with a park clean up and continue at noon with an Earth Day Fair. This is definitely a family affair with music and entertainment and free refreshments.

In Redwood City, at the Marine Science Institute, they’re holding The Marine Science Institute Earth Day on the Bay.  It’s from 8AM to 4PM this Saturday and there will be live music, boat trips, crafts, food and more.  They’re asking for a $5 donation. There will be five two-hour discovery voyages on the San Francisco Bay aboard their 90-foot  research vessel. The Marine Science Institue is a treasure and this is one event you should try to attend, if you can.

Also in Redwood City beginning this weekend and continuing through June 11th, you can take Docent-led walks through the wildflowers at Edgewood Preserve.  The walks start at the Old Stage Day Camp off of Edgewood Road.  it’s free, but you need to be able to walk a 2 mile trail that can have hills.

Again in Redwood City, at the Public Works Services Building, a Spring Cleanup Day  on Saturday. The focus will be sprucing up Redwood Creek, Little River Park, Stulstaft Park and the Port area.  Meet at 8:30AM and enjoy a complimentary continential breakfast.  Clean-up teams will go out from there.  And, all volunteers will be treated to a free BBQ lunch after volunteering in the morning.

The Town of Atherton will be holding a Town Recycling and Environment Expo Day at Holbrook-Palmer Park on Saturday, from 8AM to 4PM.

Up in Pacifica at the San Pedro Valley County Park, there will be a morning bird walk and in the afternoon information about how to identify native plants and a demonstration of the trail project going on there.  All free. Also in Pacifica, there is going to a Citywide beach clean up between 10AM-Noon.  Go to either Linda Mar State Beach or Callera Creek beach to help.  From noon to 2PM will be a celebration event for all workers.

Brisbane is holding a Park Restoration Day on Saturday at Quarry Road Park from 8AM to Noon. The town is providing tools, training and lunch plus you get a commemorative t-shirt so all your friends know what you did that morning.

San Bruno and Foster city are both holding Composting Workshops.  Go to San Bruno Park & Recreation at Crystal Springs Road & Oak Ave between 9:30AM and 11:30AM or to the Foster City Park & Recreation at 650 Shell Blvd, also between 9:30AM and 11:30AM.

At Junipero Serra County Park in San Bruno between 8:30AM and 12:30PM you can help rangers create a garden for native plants.  Call 650-589-5708 for more information.

Vonunteers are needed to plant native plants and shrubs on San Bruno Mountain.  Go to the main entrance area called the Colma Creek Headwaters area between 10AM and 12:30PM. For more information call 650-599-1306.

Finally, all of our State of California Parks will have volunteer activities.  There are projects at several of our beaches.

What ever you choose to do, be assured that your efforts are appreciated by everyone and you come away feeling that you have really given back to the world.