Social distancing did not deter the Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC) and Methow Arts in their plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
The two local nonprofits have teamed up to create a virtual Earth Day experience via a live webinar on the video streaming service Zoom, on Friday (April 17) from 4-5:30 p.m.
The lineup of national speakers, artists, and local students is impressive.
• Luc Reynaud of the Methow Valley band Luc & the Lovingtons will offer live music and video.
• There will be an interview with Denis Hayes, National Coordinator of the first Earth Day in 1970, conducted by Liberty Bell High School students.
• Video clips will show Methow Valley students sharing their visions for the future.
• There will be a live interview with renowned climate activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, conducted by a local youth climate activist.
• There will be a “State of the Nation” expert panel discussion with guests Michael Gerrard of Sabin Center for Climate Change at Columbia Law addressing the environmental rollbacks of the Trump Administration; Michael Furze of Washington State Department of Commerce addressing the state’s 2021 energy plan; and Amelia Marchand of Colville Confederated Tribes and Jasmine Minbashian, executive Director of MVCC, addressing local climate action plans.
• There will be a poetry reading by Claudia Castro Luna, Washington State Poet Laureate.
“During this unprecedented time, it’s more important than ever to keep the fabric of our community together and to examine and celebrate our life on this one sweet precious Earth, “said Minbashian in a press release.
“We invite our community to come together and celebrate our Earth,” said Amanda Jackson Mott, executive director of Methow Arts. “Through music, poetry, history, and action, we can all play a powerful role in impacting our future for generations to come. The Earth is what we all have in common.”
Earth Day marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement on April 22, 1970. A planned two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in the Methow Valley was earlier postponed due to concerns about COVID-19 and restricted public gatherings.
How to take part
To register for this virtual celebration, visit https://www.mvcitizens.org or http://www.methowarts.org/earth-day2020.
It is recommended that participants either sign up for or download Zoom on their computer or smartphone ahead of time. You can sign up for a free Zoom account and download in advance of the Friday Celebration by visiting http://www.zoom.us/download or http://www.zoom.us/signup.
Email earthday@mvcitizens.org for more information.
