In a region rich with nature and reminders of the earth’s wonder everywhere we turn, people across the mountains will partake in a variety of Earth Day festivities over the coming week or two. The official Earth Day is April 20, but festivities are spanning the week to either side of the official day.

Waynesville

• Haywood Community College will have a line-up of Earth Day activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.

A presentation with two keynote speakers will be held at noon in the HCC auditorium. The two speakers are Dr. James Costa, the director of the Highlands Biological Station, and Stephen King, the Haywood County solid waste director who has become famous for his recycling and waste reduction initiatives throughout the county.

Starting at 2 p.m. there will be a line up of three environmental movies — Build Green, Addicted to Plastic, and Kilowatt Ours — playing on the hour, every hour.

At 2 p.m. and again at 4 p.m., there will be a demonstration of the new bio-diesel reactor on campus, which is turning used cooking oil from county residents and school cafeterias into fuel for lawnmowers and other diesel vehicles on campus.

There will be booths by environmental non-profits and business showcasing their green commitment in the student center all day. The HCC Forestry and Fish and Wildlife Club will sell a light lunch as a fund-raiser.

Sylva

• The 11th Hour, a documentary on global warming narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, will be shown at Southwestern Community College at 3 p.m. on April 20 and 2 p.m. on April 21 in Oaks Hall 104.

Free food and discussion follow the show. The event is hosted by Southwestern Community College’s Green Team /Environmental Club. The 11th Hour explores the state of our planet and how we all could become environmental refugees, while offering ways everyone can help create change and hope for the planet.

• Greening up the Mountains festival will be held in downtown Sylva on Saturday, April 25. The annual street festival has an enviro-bent. There will be a series of environmental films screened throughout the day, plus music, crafts, booths, displays and games. For a full-line up of the day’s festivities, see a special section in next week’s issue.

Cashiers

• An Earth Day celebration will be held in Cashiers at the Village Green on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be live music, interactive demonstrations, food, games and a climbing wall. Local organizations and businesses will showcase their environmental interests and distribute information on green living. An art section will be sponsored by the Bascom Louise Gallery and the Highlands Art League.

It is sponsored by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, Upper Cullasaja Watershed Association, and Whole Life Market.

828.526.9938.

Bryson City

• Celebrate Earth Environmental Fair designed to promote stewardship of the earth will be held Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park. It is being organized by the Swain County Chamber of Commerce to promote green living. Local businesses, community groups and others will present information about the choices available that can truly make a difference. 828.488.3681 or chamber@greatsmokies.com.

Franklin

• An Earth Day event billed as “Support the Land Trust not the Land Fill” will be held at Main Street Coffee and Tea on Main Street on April 20.

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will be selling its reusable shopping bags, a must for anyone who wants to reduce their environmental impact by giving up plastic bags at the grocery stores. The Little Tennessee Watershed Association will be selling re-useable coffee mugs featuring a river otter. The coffee shop will give free coffee to anyone who brings in or purchases a re-usable mug. 828.524.2711 or visit www.ltlt.org.

• A Little Tennessee River Clean Up will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 25. Meet at Big Bear Shelter on the Greenway with gloves. Bring a boat if you have one. Bags and waders will be supplied. 828.421.4845.

Article courtesy of the Smoky Mountain News.