Earth Day 2012: Green Events in Rockland

Here are some activities leading up to and including Earth Day—April 22. If we left something out, let us know by leaving the information in the comments below.

Friday April 13, 7 to 9 p.m.

Stop by the to hear about the climate change. Trained by Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, Paul Reale has been making public presentations on climate change for the last five years.  The presentation covers

• recent extreme weather and the connection to climate change
• the latest scientific perspectives
• the gap between scientific understanding and public perception
• examining climate change denial and how it inhibits solutions. 

For more information email pkurtz9@gmail.com or call 845-358-3386.

Saturday, April 14

Join Assemblyman Zebrowski's Clean Up Campaign in New City 

Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-New City) will host a team to clean up a section of Route 304 and Squadron Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Assemblyman Zebrowski’s team will meet at 11 a.m. in the New City commuter lot located on Route 304. Anyone interested in participating in the clean up should contact Assemblyman Zebrowski’s office at 845-634-9791.

Saturday April 14, 1 p.m.

Earth Day Fun 

In recognition of the importance of recycling our materials, Yoko Komori Olson demonstrates how to make special gift bags out of newsprint and catalog pages. The bags can be customized to match the theme of the present and can be made any size. Look for Yoko’s samples in the display cases outside the meeting room. To register for the 1 p.m. activity, call the New City Library at 845-634-4997, ext. 139

Saturday, April 14, 9 a.m. to noon

Orangetown Cleanup/Tree Planting

Take part in a combined cleanup and tree planting at Orangetown Town Hall 9 a.m. Bring gloves and shovels for the cleanup. Bags, pick-up tools, bagels, coffee and juice will be provided. Locations will be assigned. The tree-planting for Arbor Day will be held at 10 a.m. at town hall. 

Saturday, April 14 through May 19

Keep Rockland Beautiful

Join thousands of Rockland County residents who will remove tons of litter from streets, parks and waterways, making communities cleaner and healthier, during the Great American Cleanup. For a list of activities, check the organization's website. Here are the community clean up days. Go to KeepRocklandBeautiful.org to find flyers for each one, which will detail the time and place to pick up cleanup supplies on that day.

• Nanuet Community Cleanup—April 14
• Orangetown Community Cleanup—April 14
• Stony Point Community Cleanup—April 14
• Hillburn Community Cleanup—April 14
• Montebello Community Cleanup—April 14
• West Nyack Community Cleanup—April 15
• Congers Community Cleanup—April 21
• Spring Valley Community Cleanup—April 21
• Nyack Community Cleanup—April 22
• Pearl River Community Cleanup—April 28
• Airmont Community Cleanup—May 19

March 25 through April 20

Turnings: The Nature of Spring Exhibit

Several professional regional artists, associated with the prestigious Art Students League, will present works with a theme of spring and renewal at Dominican College Sullivan Library in Orangeburg. For more information visit www.dc.edu

Wednesday, April 18, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Keepers of the Green

In preparation for Earth Day, kids in grades 3 and up can create some Earth-friendly crafts at the New City Library—220 North Main Street New City. For more information call (845) 634-4997

Thursday, April 19, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Celebrate Earth Day 

This year, the focus is on healing ... for ourselves and for our planet. Activities include a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 am for two new solar panels, yoga and meditation, demonstrations of birds of prey and solar ovens, and learning about bees and their important place in our food supply. 

If you're interested in getting more involved with Earth Day, check out these