Earth Day weekend features a variety of activities and events

The Olympic Peninsula is a beautiful place to celebrate Earth Day, with a number of groups hosting or collaborating with nature-themed events and activities for all ages.

Here are some activities to celebrate the day:

Spokesman for the Studium Generale

The Studium Generale of Peninsula College welcomes Dr. Corey Larson, Professor in Evergreen State College’s Native Pathways Program, on Thursday, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. 1836-1837 Epidemics,” Larson will discuss how current circumstances often influence the way we interpret the past.

Join the Zoom meeting at pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/88082575506 (Meeting ID: 880 8257 5506).

Annual conservation breakfast

The North Olympic Land Trust’s 14th Annual Conservation Breakfast will be held on Friday, April 22nd at 9am on Zoom. Participation is free (donations welcome).

The main speaker is the famous lepidopterologist Dr. Robert Michael Pyle, who will focus his discussion on ways to observe butterflies and moths at all their life stages. Bertha Cooper, author and Sequim Gazette featured columnist, leads the audience and Pyle into a Q&A.

A highlight of the breakfast is the presentation of the Land Trust’s Out Standing in the Field award to a local citizen or group. This year’s award, which recognizes locals who excel in their respective fields and are making a difference in the community for conservation, goes to local photographer John Gussman.

To sign up, visit www.northolympiclandtrust.org.

Earth day rhymes songs

The North Olympic Library System (NOLS) is partnering with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Library and the North Olympic Land Trust to celebrate Earth Day. Watch a series of Earth Day-themed rhymes and songs that support little learners with early reading and writing tips nols.org/early-learning-songs-and-rhymes and on the NOLS YouTube channel.

Pick up a salmon life cycle take and make project kit at any North Olympic Library System branch.

Earth Day celebration at the pier

Join us for a free Earth Day Celebration at the Port Angeles City Pier on Saturday, April 23 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

The event features music from Olympic Peninsula favorites The Lost Trio, playing blues and Americana. Keynote speakers will include Clallam County Commissioner Mark Ozias, who will address the climate crisis, and W. Ron Allen, Chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, who will speak on endangered salmon and killer whales.

The event also includes a locally owned EV exhibit (owners will be in attendance to share their experiences) and a 1:15 p.m. EV presentation by Olympic Climate Action’s Tony Billera at the Fiero Marine Center, 315 N Lincoln St .

Save Our Wild Salmon representatives indicate that more than a dozen groups and organizations will have information desks at the event.

Treasure hunt on the lyre

Visit the Lyre Conservation Area for a group scavenger hunt on Saturday, April 23 from 10:30am to 11:00am. Registration is required. The group will gather at the trailhead and leave at 10:30 am, following the trail towards the beach, stopping along the way to explore plants, animals and insects with their senses. Self-exploration can be continued at the end of the trail.

Snacks are available between 10:30am and 12:00pm at the trailhead and copies of the scavenger hunt can be picked up during this time for a self-guided exploration of the Lyra Sanctuary at your own pace.

For a trail guide with detailed information on trail conditions, elevation gain, getting to the site, wheelchair access and other accessibility factors, go to DisabledHikers.com.

The Lyre Conservation Area is off Reynold Road off US Highway 112 about 4 miles west of Joyce. Earth Day activities are recommended for youth and families ages 6 and up; Young people up to 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must sign a waiver at the trailhead in order to participate in the guided scavenger hunt hike.

The Earth Day Scavenger Hunt at the Lyre includes a flat 1 mile trail to the beach (2 miles return to parking lot).

In the Lyre Conservation Area, there is a port-a-potty near the water at the end of the 1-mile trail. The wildlife sanctuary is pack-it-in/pack-it-out and garbage bags are available at the trailhead for this event.

Cleanup operations on the Washington coast

Washington CoastSavers and local partners offer the Washington Coast Cleanup, beach cleanups throughout the North Olympic Peninsula along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean coast.

Sign up for a beach and time to volunteer Coastsavers.org.

A beach cleanup is taking place at Harborview Park in Ediz Hook. Registration for the event begins at 1:30 p.m. and clean-up begins at 2:00 p.m

“We will have basic supplies available at the registration station but encourage participants to bring any reusable items they may already have such as buckets, gloves, grabber and a water bottle,” said Joseph Stride of the Surfrider Foundation. “Also, don’t forget to dress in layers and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes for the ever-changing spring weather. I hope to see you there!”