Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 12:00 am
"The human race has had long experience and a fine tradition in surviving adversity. But we now face a task for which we have little experience: the task of surviving prosperity."
n Alan Gregg, New Zealand musician
As we approach the 37th anniversary of Earth Day, keep in mind that what each individual does to live more lightly on the planet becomes an inspiring example to countless others. We are all powerful spheres of influence and inspiration. How many times have you been inspired by the acts of others? This is how we survive prosperity. Learn how to inspire by learning from some of the following events:
Avery House Nature Center:
n "Love the Earth:" 9 a.m. to
4 p.m., April 11 through 13, Children ages 6 to 10 will learn about the Earth and why it is so important as well as what each individual can to help. Activities include making costumes for the Procession of the Species. Cost is $30 per day or $15 per half day.
n Amphibians day/Family nature walk: 1 p.m., April 28. Meet at Clemens Park in Alsea. Look for live amphibians with herpetology experts.
Nature play preschool program "Spring is Here:" 10 a.m. to
11 a.m., Tuesdays, May 1 through 22. Kids from age 3 to 5 can learn about the amazing events taking place in spring from native wildflowers to baby animals. Cost is $7 per class or $24 per session.
n Birding in the Willamette Valley with naturalist Don Boucher: This beginning class emphasizes local bird identification, choosing binoculars and field guides and where the good local birding is. Cost is $24. Class schedule is as follows: May 9, 7 to 9 p.m., classroom, Avery House Nature Center; May 12, 9 a.m. to noon, field trip, Avery Park; May 16, 7 to 9 p.m., classroom, Avery House Nature Center; May 19, 9 a.m. to noon, field trip, Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Register for the above programs by calling 753-9211 or ecenter@peak.org.
Nature: It's Not Just "Out There:"
7 p.m., April 11, LaSells Stewart Center Engineering Hall, Oregon State University. Speaker Rene Kane will present this spring naturescaping lecture. Kane teaches courses in landscape architecture and construction, gardening along streams and residential landscape design. The companion event is a spring naturescaping tour, 9 a.m. to noon, April 14. Visit bioswales, compost piles and native plantings on this self-guided walking/biking tour of OSU campus naturescaping and conservation practices. Pick up a tour map at the Kelley Engineering Center at Park Terrace, south of Monroe and Northwest 25th Street, on the OSU campus. Both events are free. Sponsored by Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, Corvallis Environmental Center, OSU and others. Contact 753-7208 or tmatteson@bentonswcd.org for more information.
Global Warming - Changing CO2urse
: 7 to 9 p.m., meets for four weeks, April 11 through May 2, Corvallis High School, 1400 N.W. Buchanan, Room H1. Northwest Earth Institute's seventh discussion course helps folks to learn more about the history and science of global warming, explore personal values and habits as they relate to climate change, and to consider actions to curb global warming. Materials fee of $16. Register at the Benton Center, in person at 757 N.W. Polk Ave. or online at http://sis.linnbenton.edu. For more information call the institute at 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org.
Be a stewardship volunteer:
The Institute for Applied Ecology is partnering with the City of Corvallis, Benton County, Greenbelt Land Trust, Finley Wildlife Refuge and local schools to reintroduce endangered native plant species back to local landscapes. If you like to work with plants and kids contact Jen Cramer at 753-3099 or jcramer@peak.org, to volunteer. There are several dates to choose from: April 10: Nelson's checkermallow at Jackson Frazier wetland, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April 10: Willamette daisy at Finley Refuge, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 11: Kincaid's lupine at Fitton Green, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; April 11: Willamette daisy at Finley, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 13: Nelson's checkermallow at Lupine Meadows, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April 17: Kincaid's lupine at Beazell Memorial Forest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April 18: Nelson's checkermallow at Finley, 8 a.m. to noon.; April 19: Kincaid's lupine at Beazell Memorial Forest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; April 24: Willamette daisy at Bald Hill, begins at 9 a.m.; April 25: Kincaid's lupine at Bald Hill, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; April 27: Kincaid's lupine at Beazell Memorial Forest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; May 1: Many species at Lupine Meadows, noon to 3 p.m.; May 2: Nelson's checkermallow at Finley, 8 a.m. to noon.
Allied Waste Spring cleanup: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 14. Bring your yard waste, wood waste, metal/appliances and computer electronics. On a trial basis all kinds of plastic will be accepted including clear food wrap, plastic lids and rings, aseptic carton tabs, broken plastic toys, and lawn chairs: basically any plastic not contaminated by food, oil or excessive dirt. For information and locations call 754-0444.
Neighborhood Naturalist at Pigeon Butte, Finley Wildlife National Refuge
: 9 a.m. to noon, April 15. Meet at the Avery Park Rose Garden, Avery Park. The trail to Pigeon Butte can be mucky so bring clothes and shoes suitable for mud. Participants will see a variety of birds, lizards and other wildlife along with some uncommon wildflowers. Children welcome but trip is not structured for small children. Please leave dogs at home. Free. Contact Don Boucher at bouchdon@peak.org or www.neighborhoodnaturalist.com.
"Awakening to Ecocide"
: Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., 1st United Methodist Church, Community Meeting Room. 1165 N.W. Monroe. Executive Director of Northwest Earth Institute, Tim LaSalle, will speak on why we deny our tendency to ecocide, particularly as it relates to global warming. Before becoming the new director of the institute, LaSalle was director of the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County in California. He has been involved with holistic land management to restore and regenerate deteriorating landscapes for people who are dependent on that land and brings extensive international experience to his work. A former professor at Cal Poly, LaSalle has also been a dairy farmer. This talk draws from his years of study and inquiry. Sponsored by Corvallis NW Earth Institute and the First United Methodist Church. For more information call 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org. Free.
NW Earth Institute volunteer orientation:
Wednesday, April 18, 7-8 p.m., Da Vinci Days office, 760 S.W. Madison. An introduction to the work of Corvallis NW Earth Institute for potential volunteers and other interested folks. Learn how you can help be a force for sustainability in your community. Refreshments served. Free. For more information call 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org.
EarthFaire 2007:
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., April 21, First Street along the Willamette River between Monroe and Madison Avenues, next to Farmers' Market. Free. Celebrate the 37th anniversary of Earth Day and 150 years of life on the Willamette River with exhibitor, music, crafts and playful creations. Participate in the all-ages Procession of the Species at 12:30 p.m. Dress as your favorite nonhuman, play music or watch from the sidelines. Some costumes available to borrow at the beginning (first come, first served) or make your own. Design your costume from these categories: (Earth (land animals and reptiles), Air (winged creatures), Water (fish and aquatic species), or Fantasy (extinct, mythological or your own). No written words, motorized vehicles or live pets. Begins at First and Jackson. Earthfaire volunteer orientation is at noon, April 14, at the Corvallis Environmental Center, 214 S.W. Monroe. Contact Rachel at 753-9211 or ecenter@peak.org. Sponsored by the CEC, City of Corvallis, Downtown Corvallis Association, Common Pulse, and the Corvallis Hour Exchange.
"Nuts and Bolts of Sustainability - Reducing Your Ecological Footprint": Tuesday, April 24, 7-9 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Back by popular demand, this interactive workshop shows you how to use the Natural Step Framework for Sustainability at home. Free. Sponsored by the Oregon Natural Step Network and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. To register call 752-3517 or cnwei@peak.org.
"Are Soils Endangered?"
7 p.m., May 1, Withycombe Hall, Room 109, Oregon State University. Speaker will be Ron Amundson, professor, University of California, Berkeley. Free and open to the public.
Composting Workshop:
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., May 4, Benton County Fairgrounds. Up to 40 percent of landfill debris is organic material with much of it food waste. You can reduce that by composting at home and end up with a great soil additive for your garden. Learn about home composting at this Allied Waste-sponsored event. For more information call 754-0444 or corvallis@disposal.com.