Valleywide : Special Events Planned for Earth Day

Twenty-six years ago Monday, Earth Day was created as a way of focusing attention on problems facing the world’s ecosystem--acid rain, toxic waste, pollution and more. Largely dormant for the next two decades, the global event returned to the nation’s attention in 1990 with a gala anniversary that reminded people that many environmental problems continue to plague the planet.

This weekend, residents of the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys can celebrate Earth Day 1996 at a variety of nature-themed events, including:

* TreePeople will join community volunteers to plant two dozen trees from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Telfair Avenue School, 10975 Telfair Ave., Pacoima. Information: (818) 896-7411.

* Volunteers are invited to help clean up Malibu Lagoon State Beach, 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Afterward, naturalists from the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains will teach participants about the local wildlife.

* Approximately 150 Girl Scouts will remove graffiti from a wall in North Hollywood near the Hollywood Freeway and Strathern Street from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Information: (818) 886-1801.

* The Los Angeles Public Library’s Chatsworth branch at 21052 Devonshire St. will hold a nature-themed activity session aimed at elementary school children starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Information: (818) 341-4276.

* Naturalist and author Milt Stark will lead a nature hike beginning at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Antelope Valley’s Saddleback Butte State Park, 17102 Ave. J East. At noon, a dedication ceremony will be held for the newly christened Dowen Memorial Trail. Information: (805) 942-0662.

* Wildlife Educators of America will sponsor a two-day festival at Newhall Memorial Park, 24923 N. Newhall Ave., Newhall, on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The event will feature presentations on wild animals and a Native American powwow. Information: (805) 298-5553.

* Volunteers are needed to clean up bat caves from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in El Escorpion Park at Vanowen Street and Valley Circle Boulevard in West Hills. Information: (818) 386-5998.