On Earth Day, spruce up a park

Amid the contentious social activism of the 1960s, there was one issue upon which all people agreed: a healthy environment with clean air and water. In 1970, Earth Day was born.

Thirty-six years later, most people still agree on Earth Day’s goals -- but not on how to attain them. In fact, the world cannot agree on when to celebrate Earth Day. International Earth Day, organized by the United Nations, is usually celebrated around March 20. Americans, however, celebrate Earth Day on April 22.

To that end, the California State Parks Foundation is sponsoring its ninth annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup. Over the course of the event, almost 50,000 people will have contributed more than 200,000 hours of service.

“It’s a great opportunity to get to know your state park,” said Sara Feldman, Southern California director of the California State Parks Foundation. “Earth Day is a chance to support your local state park in a really meaningful way. And it’s a really fun thing to do.”

Volunteers are needed statewide to restore trails and wildlife habitats, make repairs, remove trash, plant trees and gardens, and do other work at 41 state and community parks. Topanga State Park, Malibu Lagoon State Park, Santa Susana State Park and Pio Pico State Historic Park are just some in the area that are participating this year.

“It’s great for kids as well,” Feldman said, “and the kids are the hardest workers.”

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-- James Fowler

California State Parks Foundation Earth Day 2006 Restoration and Cleanup. Times vary. Info: (888) 98-PARKS, or www.calparks.org.

* More Earth Day-related events, Page 50.