Off-Island activities honour the true spirit of Earth Day
As I write this, a few daffodils have just peeked out from their earthy confines and will likely bloom today while joining a medley of crocus that made a welcome appearance last week. In tandem, tulips have come up in areas that were assumed raided by bulb-thieving squirrels. Our lilac bush has buds and recent rains have allowed a sudden greening of lawns across the neighbourhood. All of these joys of spring are arriving just in time for Earth Day, too, which occurs this weekend on Saturday, April 22.
It’s the time of year when we banish winter by performing a variety of rituals that celebrate renewal of not only our yards and gardens, but of our souls and spirit. And we often do so by getting our hands and knees dirty in the process.
What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than to attend some Earth Day activities being held in towns across the Off-Island?
For example, Notre-Dame-del’Île-Perrot is inviting citizens to join them in marking the day and to celebrate a theme of the environment between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Carrefour Notre-Dame.
Beginning at 10 a.m., elected officials will hold a press conference to reveal a plan that comprises a number of initiatives put forward by the town to assist citizens in protecting the environment.
Attendees can visit a kiosk on site that will offer information about various subsidies that are available.
A popular annual tradition of distributing compost at $1 per bag will return again this year. The compost will be provided by the Quinn Farm in collaboration with and for benefit to the ÎlePerrot Scouts.
The town will also distribute 150 forsythia shrubs and another 150 spring symphony annual plants on a first-come, firstserved basis. A draw will be held on site for prizes such as rain barrels for those who obtain a ticket.
Residents can also take advantage of Earth Day to dispose of their old electronic devices, batteries and compact fluorescent bulbs. Deposit sites will be provided on the site.
There will also be a green tailings deposit for those who have already done some of the springcleaning of their gardens and flower beds.
In Pincourt, Earth Day activities will be held at Bellevue Park from 9 a.m. to noon. A cleanup of the local shore is planned and a Tim Horton’s mobile unit will be in attendance.
Similar Earth Day activities are being held in other towns and by other organizations across the Off-Island area. Consult your local town websites and Facebook pages for more information and to participate.
In the meantime, I encourage you to do your own part in the spirit of Earth Day along our local streets and pathways by picking up litter as you find it in your neighbourhoods. Just be sure to dispose of what you clean up appropriately and to be safe out there while performing a local cleanup on your own.