LAKE COUNTY – April is filled with events for those who are thinking globally but wanting to act locally – whether it be by celebrating the Earth and wildlife, or discussing how we can honor and protect the planet.
April 21 is the traditional day for celebrating Earth Day, worldwide. Here in Lake County, there are several events planned to draw attention to global issues while taking action to make Lake County's environment healthier.
It's also the month of the annual Heron Festival, which is a reminder of the area's natural beauty, and what could be lost if the environment isn't protected.
The following is a synopsis of some of the major events planned this month, which offer learning opportunities, involvement in local projects and a chance to celebrate Lake's County's natural wonders.
Saturday April 14: StepItUp Rally, Austin Park, Clearlake
The Sierra Club Lake Group is sponsoring the StepItUp Rally in Austin Park (corner of Lakeshore and Olympic drives) from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 14.
That day has been declared a day of National Climate Action, according to Victoria Brandon, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter. More than 1,000 events in 50 states are planned for that day, ranging from rallies and hikes to concert, with the aim of raising awareness of the danger posed to the planet by excessive greenhouse gas emissions.
The local rally will include music, discussions on taking on global environmental issues, information on solar power, and hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, and more.
Supervisor Denise Rushing will give the event's keynote presentation, “Global Warming and You: what individuals can do to make a difference.” Supervisor Ed Robey and Clearlake Mayor Judy Thein also are scheduled to attend.
In keeping with the spirit of the event, those interested in attending are encouraged to carpool, bike walk or ride public transit to the rally. Brandon pointed out that Austin Park is served by Lake Transit routes 5 and 6, with connections from everywhere in the county.
For more information about the Clearlake event, call Victoria Brandon, 994-1931, or visit the Sierra Club Lake Group Web site at redwood.sierraclub.org/lake. Information about the national campaign can be found at www.stepitup2007.org.
Saturday, April 21: Earth Day Black Forest Fire Prevention Project, Buckingham
Joel Witherell's home overlooks the Black Forest, which graces the slopes of Mt. Konocti above Buckingham with its dark, dense stand of Douglas firs.
For several months now Witherell – who was part of the original Save the Black Forest Committee – has worked to coordinate the community volunteer side of the Earth Day Black Forest Fire Prevention Project. The effort is part of a Bureau of Land Management demonstration project, which will create a shaded fuel break along a mile-long area stretch of Soda Bay Road that borders the forest.
The project's purpose, said Witherell and Rich Burns of the Ukiah BLM office, is to reduce fire danger in the 255-acre forest by removing brush, low limbs and other fuel materials along its edge.
On March 13, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proclaimed that Earth Day will be Black Forest Fire Prevention Project Day in Lake County, in honor of the effort.
On Earth Day, April 21, volunteers will help remove cut limbs and other fuel materials, which will be chipped and used for weed growth and fire prevention, said Witherell. Soda Bay Road will be closed to through traffic while volunteers are at work.
That will be only one part of the overall effort, said Witherell. California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, now known as Cal Fire, and Konocti Conservation Camp members will begin cutting trees and limbs along Soda Bay Road on Monday, April 16, continuing until' Tuesday, April 17. The plan at that time, said Witherell, is to cut up to 40 cords of wood that are removed from an area extending as far as 100 feet into the forest.
Buckingham Homes Association, Carle High School, Kelseyville Fire and Lake County Public Works will be involved in the project, Burns reported.
Witherell reports four youth groups are signed up to work at the effort, with about 50 people expected to participate at this point. At noon, Buckingham Homes Association will host a luncheon for volunteers at its clubhouse.
For those wanting to volunteer, Witherell encourages signing up ahead of time by contacting Julie Berry at the Buckingham Homes Association, 279-0829, e-mail
On April 21, meet at the intersection of Westlake Drive/Little Borax Road and Soda Bay Road, at the north entrance to Buckingham. The event takes place between 7 a.m. and noon, rain or shine, said Witherell. Bring protective clothing – hat, gloves, sturdy shoes – and limb loppers or saws if possible.
Saturday, April 21: Earth Day Festival, Austin Park, Clearlake
Dante DeAmicis reports that a fun and informative Earth Day Festival will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at Clearlake's Austin Park.
“We have put together some practical and informative activities related to environmental awareness as well as stuff that’s just plain fun-filler,” DeAmicis said.
The day will include solar oven cooking demonstrations and a competition. Festival organizers will provide materials – cardboard and tinfoil – from which to build ovens to the first eight teams to show up.
Clearlake’s electric car club and Peter Sinkowski will show off alternatives to gas vehicles, DeAmicis reported, and biofuels experimenter Mark Reece will discuss his research. Heavy metal scientist John Zebelean also will be at the festival.
Also taking part, said DeAmicis, will be craftspeople and artisans sharing their creations; drip irrigation gardeners; musicians; food; and exotic dancers.
At noon, Dr. Harry Lyons from Yuba College will speak, followed by Lake County Poet Laureate Sandra Wade.
As part of the event, there will be tryouts for the Youth Writes Poetry Contest beginning at 11 a.m. The competition welcomes young poets, ages 8 to 18; signups will take place at the Earth Day event.
For more information, call DeAmicis, 994-0996, or e-mail
Saturday, April 21: Upper Lake Earth Day Celebration, Main Street
Once you help finish tidying up the Black Forest and listening to some youth poets in Clearlake, head over to the inaugural Earth Day Celebration in Upper Lake, which takes place from noon to 7 p.m. along historic downtown Main Street.
The Upper Lake Town Council reports that this will be a day of public awareness, with the focus placed on global warming.
The event will include speakers and presentations, displays and booths, and festivities intended to help educate and foster understanding about green technologies, alternative energy sources, healthy food production, and recycling and conservation.
Booths will include earth earth-friendly crafts and other items, and there also will be fun activities for kids and teens.
The Youth Writes Poetry Contest will make a stop in Upper Lake, with signups for young poets ages 8 to 18 and the tryouts beginning at 11:45 a.m., just before the main event gets under way.
Admission is free for the public. Vendor booths are $20 each; informational booths are free.
For information, call 275-2000, 275-0112; e-mail
Friday, April 27-Sunday, April 29: Heron Festival, Clear Lake State Park, Kelseyville
One of the county's best known, and most well-beloved festivals, the annual Heron Festival celebrates the lake's abundant wildlife and captures the essence of Lake County's natural beauty as few other events can.
The festival will include pontoon boat tours, nature talks and exhibits, slide shows and videos, birding and nature walks, the Heron Festival Art Show and plenty for kids to do.
The event gets under way with an artist's reception at the Lake County Arts Council's Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27. The free reception will include wine and hors d'oeuvres.
The following morning, from 9 a.m. to noon, is the Spring Wildflower Brunch, followed by a day of watching and learning about local wildlife.
Saturday and Sunday will offer a nature fair with educational displays and information about local environmental groups and nature-related government agencies.
Philip Greene, an internationally known photographer of herons and egrets, will be the festival's keynote speaker on Saturday. His photo and lecture presentation will look at herons' nesting and mating cycles.
The Kelseyville High School Jazz Band, which won honors earlier this year at the Folsom Jazz Festival, will perform jazz outdoors on Saturday morning, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
In addition to hikes and videos, Saturday will include the “Wonder of Wildflowers” slide presentation by park docent Leona Butts, and a wildflower and native plants hike led by Glenn Smith.
Sunday will include the "Fifty Species Challenge" nature walk; “Myths and Music of Clear Lake” with Dr. Harry Lyons, which looks at the fascinating, 2-million-year history of Clear Lake; “Bird Bingo,” which teaches kids about bird migration; storytelling about the great blue heron; a slide show and lecture by docent Leona Butts on the American white pelican; local musicians sing about Clear Lake and nature; and docent Walt Lyons will lead a half-mile hike to look at plants used by local Pomo tribes.
The Redbud Audubon Society and the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association present the festival. For information or reservations, call (800) 525-3743, or visit www.heronfestival.org for the event's full schedule.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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