Earth Day is tomorrow (April 22) and there are community events scheduled across the Tri-Cities this weekend in honour of Mother Nature (listed in chronological order):
BROOM IN BLOOM
A Coquitlam chapter of Broombusters is trying to tackle the plant at parks to help rid the city of the invasive species that can produce 18,000 seeds and stay in the soil for up to 40 years.
Broombusters will tackle an invasive species as part of its Earth Week activities.
The local chapter is set to remove scotch broom over the next few weeks, including on Friday for Earth Day in Glen Park (1158 Pipeline Rd.).
Between 9 to 11 a.m., participants will be taking out the weed that explodes in extreme heat and kills surrounding flowers.
To volunteer, visit the Coquitlam chapter’s Facebook event page to register.
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Coquitlam residents are set to clean up a popular stop on the city's parks map on Earth Day Friday.
Hi Neighbour South Coquitlam of United Way BC is hosting the free community event in Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Interested participants are asked to register online in advance, then meet at Mackin Park square between the skate park and playground for an orientation by the city's Park Spark team.
You can click here for more information.
Clean-up equipment, water and snacks are set to be provided.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) is also getting involved with Earth Day tomorrow by reaching out to young, aspiring business people in supporting the 2022 cause.
Its young professionals team is putting together a clean-up crew and will venture to Gates Park in Port Coquitlam (2300 Reeve St.) to pick up garbage.
The event starts at 2:30 p.m. when registration opens in the park and will end at 4 p.m. to collect all the trash bags.
Afterwards, a one-hour networking session is set to take place at Patina Brewing Co. with drinks and food.
Click here for more from the TCCC.
The Tri-Cities Young Professionals consist of those under the age of 40 looking to build, impact and grow together within the region's business community.
GIANT GARAGE SALES
Bargain hunters will be treated to a pair of city-wide garage sales in the Tri-Cities on Saturday (April 23) as part of Earth Week.
Port Coquitlam and Port Moody residents scattered across their respective communities will be putting their gently used gems and wares up for purchase.
The events are set to recognize and raise awareness on the need to cut waste out of landfills.
Items that don't get bought are encouraged to be donated to local charities to help those in need and to continue the message of reducing waste.
Residents will be out and about as early as 9 a.m. on Saturday across the two municipalities, roughly ending around 1 p.m.
TREE PLANTING
Also in Port Coquitlam, the Greener City initiative will see a group of experts, volunteers and residents get down in the dirt — rain or shine.
Tree planting is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Coutts Park (1070 Coutts Way) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Among the seeds and shrubs being planted are set to sprout as Bigleaf Maples, and Douglas and Grand Firs.
Shovels, water and snacks will be supplied. Children ages 12 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
RECYCLING ELECTRONICS
Meanwhile, the Port Moody Farmers Market is set to include a free recycling station for old, unused or unwanted electronics.
Jazmine Cabaluna and a group of student volunteers from Gleneagle Secondary — known as True North E-Waste — are hosting the pop-up on Sunday (April 24).
Devices are set to be collected and sent to the Electronics Recycling Association (ERA) to be refurbished and redistributed to charities in need across the province.
Interested participants are asked to bring the following unwanted electronics in a box or bag:
- Laptops and computers
- Docking stations, hard drives and servers
- Keyboards, mouses and headsets
- Gaming consoles
- Stereo Equipment
- MP3 players and tablets
- Printers, fax machines, scanners and copiers
- Mobile phones
- CD/DVD players
For more information, you can email the True North E-Waste team: truenorthewaste@gmail.com.
The recycling station will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the farmers market — located at 300 Ioco Rd. in the courtyard of the Port Moody Recreation Complex.
NATURE WALK
As well, a free guided nature walk is set to take you through one of Port Moody's popular outdoor destinations for those who still want an Earth Day experience.
Wondrous Tree Fellowship is inviting families to join the community group on an hour-long walk in Rocky Point Park on Sunday afternoon to learn about the urban forest and natural space.
Rain or shine, interested participants are asked to meet at 1 p.m. on the north side of the park playground.
From there, the group will lead attendees east, along the flat and accessible part of the Shoreline Trail.
To learn more about the tree walk or the fellowship, email wondrous.tree.fellowship@gmail.com.
