Activities abound for Earth Day in San Francisco
April 16, 2009
Rare-bird tours, fashion shows produced from recycled materials and biodiesel bus cruises are some of the highlights of the Earth Day festivities that will kick off in San Francisco this weekend.
Earth Day, first celebrated in the U.S. in 1970, isn’t technically until Wednesday, but plans are afoot to honor the ecological-awareness day this Saturday at several locations across The City.
The focal point of the celebrations may be at the San Francisco Zoo, which will feature an array of events at its “Party for the Planet” Earth Day celebration, which is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
A free bird-watching tour at 8:30 a.m. will start the zoo’s packed lineup of Earth Day-related activities, as avian enthusiasts will get a chance to check out rarely seen local and migratory species, according to zoo spokeswoman Gwendolyn Tornatore.
Residents can donate their unwanted electronic appliances for recycling at the zoo at 9 a.m. For their recycling efforts, participants will receive a free guest pass for admission into the zoo, Tornatore said.
The zoo’s party will really heat up at 10 a.m., when the Bad Seeds, a local kids-themed rock group, will blast out songs about environmental awareness, and a scavenger hunt sponsored by Chronicle Books will help remind people about how they can personally save the planet.
Anyone who rides their bicycle will get $2 off their admission at the zoo, which should see large crowds Saturday, Tornatore said.
“We’re supposed to have nice weather for Saturday which makes the event all the more exciting,” Tornatore said. “We really feel we’re giving people the chance to celebrate Earth Day in a very interactive fashion because there are so many activities that are hands-on. We hope as many people as possible get to enjoy the party.”
Other Earth Day Activities
Where: Crissy Field
What: Third Annual Earth Stroll Celebration
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Activities: Crissy Field’s windy conditions are the perfect backdrop for the event’s kite-making workshop. A live tortoise will give participants a peek at oceanic life and a bio-diesel bus will carry passengers on a scenic tour from Crissy Field to the Richmond District.
Where: Richmond District Community Center
What: 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration
When: Saturday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Activities: Arts and crafts’ visionaries will get a chance to show off their designer flare at the center’s fashion show, which will feature creations made entirely from recycled materials. The designs will be unveiled to the sounds of Share Your Peace, a local band that will use bicycle pedals to power their audio system.
Where: Inner Richmond/Laurel Heights neighborhoods
What: Earth Day Tree Planting
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Activities: San Francisco’s Friends of the Urban Forest will plant 45 different trees in the Inner Richmond and Laurel Heights neighborhoods. Following the planting of trees such as magnolia, primrose, and strawberry, volunteers will feast on a pot luck dinner.
Where: Pier 33, Fisherman’s Wharf
What: Hybrid Ferry Cruises
When: Wednesday, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Activities: Alcatraz Cruises will offer three separate tours on their new hybrid ferry-the first of its kind in the country-with proceeds from the trips benefitting Save the Bay, a local environmental group.
Where: San Francisco State
What: Bike To School Earth Day Celebration
When: Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Activities: Students and faculty who bike to work will get free valet bike parking for the day, plus tasty treats and informational training sessions during the lunch hours of 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the SFSU campus.
wreisman@sfexaminer.com
