April 22 marks an International awareness campaign led by the Earth Day Network. They have a global reach with more than 1 billion people participating in Earth Day activities in some way or another.  Earth Day is the largest secular civic event on the globe and 2010 marks her 40^th birthday!

We all have an ability to participate in some way, to raise awareness and contribute to Earth Day initiatives across the globe. Our humble city takes great pride in this annual event and every year I see new initiatives and events spring into action.

One new initiative this year caught my attention because it’s such a natural partnership. The Land Conservatory of BC (TLC) is celebrating a new partnership with Adrena Line Zip Line Adventure Tours  and Five Star Whale Watching for Earth Day 2010. Both of these wilderness adventure companies will be donating proceeds from their tours on Earth Day (Thursday, April 22, 2010) to TLC’s Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign to help purchase Western Forest Products lands in the Jordan River and Sooke Hills area.

 Another new Earth Day initiative in Victoria will take place at Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa. The recently awarded hotel in both Resort Design and Site Plan Design & Utilization categories at the 2010 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Convention and Exposition Award Gala, have a whole day of events planned to celebrate the Earth, nature and sustainability in a fun, educational and festive setting. They are inviting the Community to their Lights Out Party & Earth Day Extravaganza They are also recruiting members to join their Living Planet Community group  on World Wildlife Fund and are offering a chance to win two free nights stay at their hotel. 

There are so many events and initiatives that it would be impossible for me to tell you about all of them in this post. I did however find the following links helpful in exploring the different events taking place in Greater Victoria: Earth Walk | Royal Roads University | University of Victoria | The Bay Centre | Easter Seals Earth Day Concert | Pacific Northwest Raptors | 2010 Earth Day Taste Challenge

Tourism Victoria is now accepting nomination for the 2009 Environment Awards.

These awards recognize the efforts to preserve the environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, and for seeing the future through the eyes of tomorrow’s children. Tourism Victoria presents three Environment Awards each year at the organization’s Annual General Meeting. The awards are presented in three categories:

Individual – The Environment Award – Individual recognizes a Greater Victoria resident for their outstanding effort in developing and leading environmental practices.

Corporate – The Environment Award – Corporate recognizes a business in the Greater Victoria community for their outstanding effort in developing and leading environmental practices.

Organization – The Environment Award – Organization recognizes a society, non-profit or association in the Greater Victoria community for their outstanding effort in development and leading environmental practices.

If you’re interested in nominating an individual, company, or organization please click here to complete a nomination form.

Nominations are due by March 26, 2010

If you are new to gardening or gardening in Victoria, the City of Victoria has a workshop for you.

Register for a two hour workshop and learn about Victoria’s weather and hardiness zones, how to garden with native plants and shrubs (very environmentally friendly), and what plants work well in shade and sun. Participants will walk away with a list of public gardens to consider visiting and books to read for inspiration.

Workshop: Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 10am to noon at the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, 2275 Quadra Street. The workshop is $20 and will include an informative lecture, handouts and a slide-show.

To register call: 250-361-0732

In October, the city of Victoria celebrated the 4th Annual Tree Appreciation Day.

Many trees in Victora’s urban forest are aging or have been lost to winter storms and disease. Tree Appreciation Day provides an opportunity for the community to come together to replace these trees and plant a future for generations of citizens and visitors to enjoy.

For more information go to www.victoria.ca