Earth Day 2011

Story by Kaley Bellanti

The first question everyone should ask folks in Appalachia this April is, “What are you doing for the 41st annual Earth Day?”

The answer is a little more complicated, because of the array of events taking place throughout the region. From a recycling contest to dumpster diving, the fairs and exhibitions taking place to celebrate Earth Day will keep your social life hopping all week.

The Clinch Coalition and University of Virginia, Wise, Va.

April 20-21: The Clinch Coalition is teaming up with the University of Virginia (UVA) Wise Student Environmental Club to host two major events at UVA’s campus in Wise, Va. On April 20, they will feature the documentary FRESH, a celebration of people across America who are reinventing our food system. This will be preceded by several short Appalshop films. On April 21, Camille Kingsolver, co-author of the book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, will discuss her family’s journey away from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which they vowed to produce and buy only local food for an entire year. Visit clinchcoalition.net

Appalachian State University, Sanford Mall, Boone, N.C.

April 20, 11am-3pm: Local farmers will present their produce and share their wisdom on sustainability and locally grown food. Attendees can also participate in “The Swap,” where students bring unwanted items to exchange. ASU Food Services will also host a local food meal from 11- 2 pm.
Visit act.appstate.edu/earthday.

2011 Piedmont Earth Day Fair, Winston-Salem, N.C.

April 16, 10am-5pm: The Triad’s largest Earth Day event was designed to promote environmental stewardship through practical life applications. With over 100 exhibits, kids scavenger hunts , games and live music. Don’t miss out on the fun! Visit peanc.org/earth-day-fair

Charlotte Green and Clean, Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, N.C.

April 16, 11am-4pm: This green festival will offer individuals, families and businesses the opportunity to learn about home efficiency, green living, solar photovoltaic, green remodeling and building and green careers. Come experience a variety of kids activities, local food and music. Visit festival.charlottecleanandgreen.com.

Asheville Earth Day, Pack Square Park, Asheville, N.C.

April 16: Spend the day in beautiful Asheville learning how to keep your community clean and moving toward a sustainable future while listening to live music from bands, The Lee Boys and Toubab Krewe. Visit avlearthday.org.

6th Annual New River Earth Day Celebration, Fayetteville, W.Va.

April 23, 12pm-5pm: Learn how to be a citizen of sustainability this Earth Day. Enjoy live music and a climbing wall while learning about recycling, composting, alternative energy, water conservation and sustainability. Visit greenwv.org/earth-day.

EarthFest 2011, Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville, Tenn.

April 16, 10am-5pm: Be a part of this “zero-waste” event as EarthFest helps promote environmental awareness through activities such as the used mercury thermometer exchange, kids recycling relays and earth worm diggs. Visit knox-earthfest.org.

Earth Day Celebration, E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.

April 22, 10am-6pm: Celebrate Earth Day at the park! Join in hikes to vernal pond, a dumpster dive, a live animal demonstration, a park clean up and a geocaching demonstration. Call 502-429-7270.

Earth Day at VMNH

April 15: School groups are invited to the Virginia Museum of Natural History’s 3rd annual Earth Day at VMNH event. Visiting classes will participate in hands-on programs, activities, music and movies to learn about conservation, recycling, biodiversity, ecology and the beauty of nature. Programs will be SOL correlated to Virginia standards. Contact [email protected]

Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session

The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.

Rows of vendors under pop-up tents are filling a grassy area at the annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration in Middle Tennessee. Pride flags are hanging on some booths

‘The Most Perfect Act of Love’

After losing its rural pride celebration, hundreds of people attended the second annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration on a 24-acre farm dubbed “Fruity Farm” in Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee.

An Indiana bat in a white-gloved hand with a black background

Signs of Life

In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

‘First Line of Defense’

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

Alice and Gary Stevens stand on their new 40-foot bridge with their dog in Watauga County, N.C.

The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery

Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.

Since the proposed federal prison near Roxana was first announced, it has faced opposition from some local residents. Photo by Willie Dodson

After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain

A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.

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Song for the Ocean is a musical project geared towards raising awareness for the Ocean and Earth through the power of singing. There are many ways to get involved!
My goal for the “Song for the Ocean” project is to get a a minimum of 1 million people to join me in singing this song. As we sing, we will hold the vision of a healthy planet, and make a commitment to the the Earth and all it’s creatures, to be a part of positive change in whatever ways we can. You can sing this song on your own, in a group, a chorus, any way you can imagine.
Visit songfortheocean.com for all details and information!
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