BELFAST — After two years on hold, the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition (BBWC), Friends of Sears Island, and Waterfall Arts are celebrating the week of Earth Day during the third week of April.

“The three teams hope that many people will join together in using this time to express our appreciation for the wonders of the natural world, consider the impact of our actions on it, and identify ways that we can care for our home,” said a news release.

All of the activities for the week incorporate these three goals. 

“Please come together with us for fun, shared learning, and great conversations,” said the release. “Everyone is welcome. There’s something to appeal to all ages!”

See below for a list of events submitted by the organizations:

Eager to get outdoors with your children?  

Elementary-aged children can pick up “Earth Day Kits” from April 12-20 at Carver Library in Searsport and Belfast Free Library during library hours, while they last.  These free kits are created to take home and use for fun outdoor investigations and engagement. 

Curious about our local natural environment? 

Join Cloe Chunn to Explore the Nature of Sears Island on Saturday, April 23, 10:00-1:00.   This is a terrific opportunity for people to learn from Cloe’s passion and knowledge of this unique ecosystem. Meet at the island gate on the causeway in Searsport. Bring water, lunch, rain gear and prepare for an exciting and informative morning. Binoculars suggested. 

Want to learn more about gardening and seed collection? 

 Join us on April 21 at 6:30pm when the students of Troy Howard Middle School Garden Project with their teacher David Wessels will share their gardening expertise and truly amazing seed saving project.  BBWC and the Belfast Library will cohost this Zoom program on Thursday evening, April 21, at 6:30 pm. Register by visiting the Belfast Library website Events page.

Wondering if a more sustainable lifestyle is possible?

Tour the Possibility Alliance at 85 Edgecomb Road in Belfast on Sunday, April 24, from 10:00-11:00 am, to see and learn about ways to live sustainably and happily without electricity and other carbon-intensive amenities we think we need. The owners of this property are also offering an additional workshop from 11:00-12:00 for those wishing to learn How to make a mushroom log that can be made at home and inoculated with shiitake mushroom spawn available for free. Please register for this free workshop with Ethan or Sarah by calling 338-5719 by April 20. If you plan to attend both the tour and the workshop, please bring water and a snack.

Ready to engage  with others about the environment and climate change? 

The organizers of All of Belfast Climate Dialog (ABCD) are hosting a Fireside Chat at Waterfall Arts, 256 High Street, on Wednesday April 20 from 7-8pm. Dress for the outdoor gathering, bring a lawn chair, and tell stories about your observations, perspectives, concerns and hopes around climate change .

On Saturday, April 23, Waterfall Arts will also sponsor a full day of activities designed to ignite our activism.  From 10:00-12:00 there will be a sign making workshop with artist and activist Natasha Mayers, for participants to create climate change related signs for their own yards. Come over to Waterfall Arts at 256 High St. for this fun event. 

Everyone can take a break from 12:00-2:30 pm and go see the exhibit “Art of Re-Climation” at the Belfast Free Library. This exhibit features work by local artists and will be shown at the library throughout April.

How about free movies?

The Colonial Theatre will host two free showings of “WALL-E” on actual Earth Day, Friday, April 22, at 3:00 and 6:30 pm. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is an eco-friendly animated adventure not to be missed! Follow the last (and very lonely) robot left on Earth as he spends his days tidying up the planet. Until this charismatic little bot spots a new friend and together they embark on the greatest adventure across the galaxy! The entire family will enjoy this out-of-this world Pixar movie. Stream WALL-E on Disney+.

The Colonial Theatre will host a free showing of “un-Still Life” on Saturday, April 23, at 3:00 pm. The film follows a Maine artist Natasha Mayers as she takes on social, economic, and environmental justice issues with wit and passion. This will be followed by a community discussion around art, activism and climate change with Natasha and the filmmakers from 3:45-4:15pm.