Celebrate Earth Day with these local environmental orgs

Earth day began in 1970 as part of a public pressure campaign to support policies that became the Clean Air Act, the establishment of the EPA, things like that.

Today the environmental movement has come so far — is Earth Day still necessary?

These environmental stewards say, "Yes."

Each month, Soundside brings you a roundup of different arts and culture events’ around our region to get you outside of your comfort zone, and checking out different communities across the state.

This month, we’re doing things a little differently. We’re highlighting different volunteer opportunities in celebration of Earth Day.

Action through agroecology

Passionate about digging in the dirt?

Check out 21 Acres in Woodinville to help build healthy soil, support local food systems, and work next to staff members on seasonal projects across this agroecological farm.

This volunteer opportunity is ideal for people who want to use Earth Day to think about the interactions between plants, animals, humans, and how all of these things can come together to build a more socially equitable food system.

"We'll break up into groups and tackle a variety of projects on our working farm and in our restoration wetland spaces," 21 Acres Volunteer Coordinator Hillary Sanders said. "And folks can expect to learn a lot by doing, getting their hands in the soil, and learning about the different practices that we're implementing at 21 Acres."

You can find out more about volunteer opportunities at 21 Acres, and their Earth Day event on their website.

Bridging environmental education gaps

If you're hoping to learn more about environmental issues in Eastern Washington, head to the opening of the new Doris Morrison Learning Center at the Saltese Flats in Spokane County.

There, check out guided bird talks and meet with local environmental groups to learn about what you can do to protect local species and habitats.

Andy Dunau with the Spokane River Forum says meeting with community members at events like the opening of the learning center, and the Spokane River Forum River Cleanup Kickoff empowers people to take individual stewardship.

"It's one thing to talk about things you can do," Dunau said. "It's another thing to show people how to do them."

More than just a day

Maybe you're looking to use more than just one day to volunteer or learn more about the environmental issues local communities are trying to address.

In that case, check out Front and Centered's "Earth Deserves More Than Just A Day" event lineup.

Front and Centered — a coalition of communities of color-led groups across Washington state — is partnering with Rainier Avenue Radio and the Social Justice Film Festival to showcase a week-long program of events related to environmental justice and community.

On Friday, April 21, you can join an in-person screening of "Doctrine of Discovery" at the Columbia City Theater.

Front and Centered Communications Specialist James Lee said the documentary serves as a reminder of how to protect and steward our planet.

"Caring for the Earth is not something that you know, you need to have a holiday to do, right, it's part of your daily rhythms, part of how you live part of the relationships that you have with the natural world," Lee said.

You can get tickets to the screening, and check out the rest of Front and Centered' s "Earth Deserves More Than A Day" events on their website.

Listen to the full segment above