There are an abundance of events in my local town of Madison, Wi to celebrate Earth Day throughout this week and coming weekend. As with previous Earth Day events in town, Madisonians show a lot of interest in these events.

Many events are focused on environmental awareness with activities at area nature preserves and conservation sites. The UW Arboretum will feature a luncheon lecture on Native American rock and cave art in Wisconsin. The Arboretum will also host nature and wildflower walks for Earth Day.

Friends of the Lakeshore Marsh will feature a meeting on the Class of 1918 Marsh that is centered on area birds, insects, plants, and plankton and will discuss effects of watershed land use on the marsh.

And the Madison Environmental Group will hold an Earth Day Open House to highlight water conservation and offer helpful tips for taking action and learn more about sustainability.

There are community events like the Earth Day Potluck and outdoor movies showing the Dr. Seuss classic, the Lorax, and the dystopian eco film, Soylent Green.

Our local Whole Foods will hold classes and green information while offering free samples of some of their yummy, organic foods.

And many people will be involved in the cleanup of the natural landscape and nature trails in the area.

The main Earth Day event in Madison happens this weekend and is our annual Green Day event. This event was started and is hosted by the local free weekly paper, the Isthmus, and will feature area chefs and foodie activists giving cooking demonstrations and showing us how to eat locally and sustainably on a tight budget. Free food samples will be included.

The theme of this year’s Green Day will focus on being green in tough economic times with other event attractions that will feature talks by experts on how to start a green business and living sustainably and green in a down economy.

People biking to the event will get in free.

In Milwaukee the Earth Day Event will focus on green vehicles and will feature a presentation by Sonya Newenhouse, founder and president of Community Car, a car sharing service in Madison. Also featured will be a car show of alternative vehicles including new and next-generation vehicles as the hybrid Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, and Zenn and E-Ride neighborhood electric vehicles.

Most communities throughout the country will hold similar events and activities to involve the community in saving the planet and bring awareness to global sustainability issues. Find the right one for you and go out and get involved.

It’s easy to find local nature preserves or community parks that will offer education and cleanup events. These things help foster an appreciation for your community, local indigenous plant and wildlife species, and the planet at large in both adults and children alike.

It’s important to carry these activities beyond Earth Day, so let these events provide insights and suggestions for ways to get involved in celebrating and helping Earth everyday that matter most to you and your family.

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