| | Published April 13th, 2011
| Earth Day and Other Spring Celebrations in Lamorinda
| | By Sophie Braccini |  | | The Bike Rodeo during Lafayette's 2010 Earth Day Celebration Photo provided
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Spring has sprung, and Lamorinda's ready for it. For three weekends in a row this month, Lamorinda offers activities ranging from Earth Day to spring cleaning - The Wildlife/Earth Day Festival on April 17 in Orinda, Earth Day in Lafayette on April 23, and Moraga Beautiful Day on April 30th are opportunities to build community and help out Mother Nature.
Start in Orinda for the -10th Annual Wildlife/Earth Day Festival that will take place in the beautiful Wagner Ranch Nature Area (next to Wagner Ranch Elementary School, 350 Camino Pablo Road in Orinda) on Sunday April 17th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. "The Friends of the Wagner Ranch Nature Area will conduct this free festive program to celebrate and support environmental education programs in the Nature Area," says Naturalist Toris Jaeger. The 18 acres of meadows, forest, ponds and stream are a unique outdoor classroom where environmental education programs for children are conducted. It is also a historical site and has served Orinda school children for 30 years. The program on April 17th, designed with families in mind, will offer games and discoveries for adults and children alike - including a chance to test-drive Chevrolet's electric Volt, giant solar balloon, arts, crafts and games, as well as food. For more information go to www.fwrna.org.
The following weekend, head to Lafayette for the Annual Earth Day Picnic and Celebration, on the Plaza in downtown Lafayette from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; the Bike Rodeo starts at 9:00 a.m. This is the 6th annual Earth Day event presented by Sustainable Lafayette, the City of Lafayette and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The day will start with the Bike Rodeo at Stanley Middle School, a popular event for kids who come with their bikes and learn from the pros how to safely navigate the suburban landscape. "Young kids really get into the event and appear to learn from it," says Sustainable Lafayette's Bart Carr, who organizes the rodeo, "and parents are very appreciative." There will also be Eco Way, a chance meet Lafayette green businesses and products, buy veggie starters, and visit with local environmental groups. Other activities will be offered before and after a "Picnic on the Green." For more information, go to www.sustainablelafayette.org.
If you're not exhausted by all the partying and feel like giving back to your community, Moraga is the place to be at the end of the month. On April 30th you won't be fed or entertained. You will have to get up early and go demonstrate your love of nature by giving a few hours of work to make the town "Moraga Beautiful." "We would love to have volunteers to help at the Commons Park this year," says Moraga Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ingram, "I would recommend wearing old clothing because you will be painting some of the park amenities. The Town will supply gloves, brushes, paint and stain." Volunteers should arrive at 8:45am, ready to work from 9:00 a.m.- noon. For more information, contact Ingram at jingram@moraga.ca.us.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA