Earth Day 2000
After 10 years of celebrating Earth Day in downtown Traverse City, the local Earth Day committee has decided to move the celebration to the Shielding Tree Nature Center located in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Our reasons for moving include wanting to be in a more natural setting, and honoring and bringing public attention to the new location of Shielding Tree, a restored farmhouse, barn and grounds within the national park. In addition to encouraging people of all ages to dress as another species, the one day celebration on April 22 will focus on renewable clean energy options. Other activities which are in the planning stage include nature walks, beach clean-ups, wetland restoration on the site, educational workshops, alternative energy displays, and entertainment. One highlight of the day will be a ritual called the "Council of All Beings" in which participants take on the identity of another species and speak from its perspective about the environmental degradation of the planet.The Earth Day Committee has begun to meet and we are looking for volunteers who would like to help make this celebration a wonderful gathering. Please call the Neahtawanta Center at (231) 223-7315 if you would like to be involved or come to the next meeting.
The next meeting is Wednesday, February 23rd., at 7:00 PM, at the Grand Traverse Governmental Center.