April 22 has been recognized as Earth Day since 1970.

For decades, organizations and groups across the country and worldwide have hosted festivals, celebrations and activities as part of Earth Day in an effort to educate the public on the importance of protecting our planet.

Because of COVID-19 precautions over the last few years, events were canceled or held online, but this year, many organizations on the coast are having in-person celebrations.

Global organizers earthday.org said this year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet,” and focuses on accelerating solutions to combat climate change and to encourage everyone to do their part.

Coastal North Carolina’s community groups, environmental organizations and towns are doing just that by hosting festivals and celebrations honoring Earth Day.

St. James

The new nonprofit, the St. James Conservancy, has planned a celebration of Earth Day 7 p.m. Thursday at St. James Community Center, 4136 Southport-Supply Road SE in St. James. The public is welcome to attend the free presentations by Ohio State University retired professor Dr. Rosanne Fortner who will speak on “Earth Day Then and Now” and University of North Carolina Wilmington Professor Roger Shew’s address on “Sea Level Rise and Our Future.”

“Earth Day is 52 years old and very worthy of a celebration,” Dick Lefebvre, co-chair of the event said in an interview, adding Earth Day started with a universal call for environmental protection and it stands as a reminder that we all should be following best practices.

“So many of us are new to the North Carolina Coastal Region and, as such, must learn about where we have chosen to live. We must understand best practices for the environment in our new location,” he said. “Conservation begins with education.”

Sunset Beach

The town of Sunset Beach said it’s Earth Day theme for 2022 is “Invest in Our Environment.” Residents, businesses and visitors are asked to do their part to protect natural resources and environment.

The town is celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day Friday to encourage the planting of trees to promote beautification and conservation. An event is set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday in the Sunset Beach Town Park at 206 Sunset Blvd. N.

The town’s Environmental Resource Committee has secured 16 regional, environmentally focused organizations to be exhibitors for the event. Giveaways are to include, tree seedlings for planting and reusable grocery bags.

Oak Island

On Friday, Oak Island Recreation Department is heading up the seventh annual Oak Island Earth Day Festival. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, at Middleton Park on Oak Island.

Learn about conservation, wildlife rescue efforts, recycling and view submissions to the Earth Day Art Contest Coastal Carolina Nature, Forest and Ocean Art Show 2022 for children.

“The Town of Oak Island is very excited to be back outside for 2022 hosting special events and programs for the community again,” Eric Falkenhagen, recreation program supervisor, told Coastal Review in an email Monday. He added that the annual Oak Island Earth Day Festival is very near and dear to his heart because it is the first program he brought to the town when he was hired eight years ago.

“We have invited numerous local environmental organizations and exhibits to focus on recycling efforts and ways to save our planet,” he said. “It is our responsibility to lead the community in responsible to protect and take care of our planet and recycle when we can.”

Corolla

An Earth Day celebration with the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Historic Corolla Park. Attendees will be able to learn more about ultraviolet light, maritime pollution and pollination. 

Nags Head

Earth Fair OBX is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Friday at Dowdy Park in Nags Head. The theme this year focuses on “Positively Protecting Habitats.”

Free to the public, attendees will be able to learn more about implement sustainable, earth-friendly practices and alternative energy sources and help with planting.

This fair is to include live music from Nature Out Loud, family-friendly activities and representatives from Dare County Soil and Water, Island Snowball Co., North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island and Jennette’s Pier, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, North Carolina Coastal Federation, Network for Endangered Sea Turtles, or NEST and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, according to the federation.

“I’m very excited that the Coastal Environmental Educators Network is able to bring Earth Fair OBX back to the community this year. Earth Day is a perfect chance to celebrate all the unique habitats we have in the region,” said Federation Coastal Educator Sara Hallas in a statement. “I hope the event will bring continued inspiration for how we can all contribute to protecting these natural habitats all year long.”

Wilmington

The Wilmington Earth Day Festival is from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Long Leaf Park in Wilmington.

Hosted by the Wilmington Earth Day Alliance, the theme for this year’s festival is “Love Your Mother.” There will be more than 50 exhibitors and vendors sharing information about issues impacting the environment and how to get involved.  

“I think it’s important that people be provided a space to celebrate and appreciate the natural world, and for those people and organizations who work every day to save it to have a place to exhibit their programs and gain support,” Amy Renfranz, Earth Day Alliance vice-chair, told Coastal Review Monday.

Related: Celebrations of science, Earth Day on statewide

Planned are live music and entertainment throughout the day. Monica Jane will perform at noon, followed by children’s Nature Brigade Parade with the Rapping Red Oak at 1:45 p.m. Cosmic Groove Lizards will take the stage at 2 p.m. A drum circle with Community Drummers and Dancers will be at 3:45 p.m. and The Pinkerton Raid will close out the day with their set beginning at 4 p.m. The Kids EcoZone is to offer provide hands-on activities all day. Raffle prizes include a kayak made by Hurricane Kayak.

“I am excited to welcome our community back to celebrating our environment after two years of being virtual,” said Festival Chair Matt Williams in a statement. “We will be in a new part of Long Leaf Park, between the new obstacle course and the splash pad, and cannot wait to share the hard work and ideas we’ve had brewing the last few years to make this festival fun for everyone involved.”

Food trucks scheduled to be onsite are Taqueria La Lillita, Webo Catering and Wheelz Pizza. Beverages available for purchase are to include beer from Bill’s Brewing Co., Wrightsville Beach Brewing Co. and Edward Teach Brewery; wine from Noni Baca; kombucha from Panacea Brewing; and smoothies from Smart Smoothie. Culligan will provide drinking water, and guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles for this.

Related: Carteret group plans countywide cleanup for April 23

The festival is striving to be zero-waste. Food scraps will be composted and festival beverage cups will be reusable. Food trucks will offer vegan and vegetarian options. They will serve their food in compostable packaging and use compostable cutlery.

The Earth Day Alliance has teamed up with Wilmington VegFest 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Legion Sports Complex. Tickets are $10. The event highlights plant-based diets and will feature new companies and products.

An Earth Day Youth Summit is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington. Youth ambassadors will present during the free event their research on climate change, water quality and urban sustainability issues in the Cape Fear and discuss solutions with the community, organizers said. Reserve online a spot to attend.

Work on Wilmington Volunteer Event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Bradley Creek Elementary School in Wilmington. Volunteers will be removing invasive plants, pulling weeds, removing debris and spreading mulch in the school yard rain gardens and stormwater wetlands to promote the functionality of the gardens. Work on Wilmington is a citywide event through the city’s Chamber of Commerce that promotes volunteerism throughout several organizations and businesses in Wilmington. Register online to participate.

The Coastal Climate Science and Engineering Expo is 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, Battleship Park Wilmington. The expo, part of the 2022 North Carolina Science Festival, will provide opportunities for attendees to learn about coastal locations and the science of climate change. University of North Carolina Wilmington’s MarineQuest education program and Battleship North Carolina teamed up to host the program.

Swansboro

At Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, an Earth Day Tree Hike is set for 9 a.m. Friday. Rangers will lead an educational, 2.5-mile hike through the woods to explore some of the sights and sounds along the park’s new walking trail. At 2 p.m. Saturday, the park will host an Earth Day Matinee at the visitor center. Popcorn will be provided. Attendees should bring their own snacks, pillows and blankets. Register to attend by calling the park office at 910-326-4881.

Fort Macon

Fort Macon State Park rangers have scheduled Earth Day hikes at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Friday at the park on Bogue Banks in Carteret County. Hikes to celebrate Earth Day will begin at the park’s visitor center and will be fairly easy, covering around a half-mile and include both trail and beach, organizers said.

Jacksonville

Sturgeon City Earth Day celebration 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 at Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center in Jacksonville. During this free event, more than three dozen area businesses will be on hand and there will be educational science tables with activities and science experiments.

A statewide celebration of science is taking place this month, coinciding with Earth Day April 22.

Through the North Carolina Science Festival, or NCSciFest, more than 300 in-person and virtual events have taken place or are scheduled to, including several on the coast. There are handful of Earth Day events taking place as well.

The festival, in its 12th year, is an initiative of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center based in Chapel Hill and highlights the educational, cultural and financial impact of science with hands-on activities, science talks, lab tours, nature experiences, expos, exhibits and performances.

This year’s theme, Engineering Tomorrow, focuses how engineering is helping communities respond to the pressures of climate change.

“Every April, the North Carolina Science Festival inspires people to engage with the science that’s a part of their everyday lives. What better way to do that than to focus on the incredible scenic beauty that’s in our mountains, along our shorelines, and everywhere in between?,” NCSciFest Director Jonathan Frederick said Tuesday in an interview.

“From Earth Day celebrations to nature walks and guided hikes, our friends working to protect the health of our ecosystems get in on the act in a big way and provide one-of-a-kind events that make a lasting impression on the families who attend,” he added. “Our work is to celebrate our partners at our local state parks, museums, and communities and spread their important missions to all of North Carolina.”

NCSciFest’s Statewide Star Party

Frederick said it was a great time at the coastal Statewide Star Parties last weekend. The 10th annual party is the effort of 35 organizations to offer public skywatching events made possible through North Carolina Space Grant.

Related: Coastal events set as part of 10th Statewide Star Party

Parties were hosted by the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island with Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks, Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach and College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City.

A star party is scheduled for later this month in the Wilmington area. Cape Fear Museum, Carolina Beach State Park, Cape Fear Astronomical Society and community partners are joining together for the Statewide Star Party: Carolina Beach State Park at 7 p.m. April 22. The free event includes laser-guided constellation tours, the Stellar Story Corner, telescope and binocular viewings, stargazing tips from experts, and activities related to this year’s theme, “Understanding the Universe.”

More events to come

Though the festival is well underway, there are numerous coastal events still to come this month, including weekly events at the Museum of Coastal Carolina, Cape Fear Museum and Hammocks State Park and one-time events like the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust’s Pollinator Palooza! and Conservation Imagination at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington, both on April 16, and the Coastal Climate Science and Engineering Expo in Wilmington April 30, organizers said.

The Coastal Climate Science and Engineering Expo, set for 1 to 4 p.m. is one of the final events of this year’s festival and will take place at the USS Battleship North Carolina on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s MarineQuest, which has participated in the festival since it began in 2010, and Battleship North Carolina are co-hosting the event at Battleship Park, a site that illustrates the challenges of climate change due to the regular flooding there.

MarineQuest is the official marine science outreach program for UNCW, the Watson College of Education and the Center for Marine Science to provide youth with opportunities to explore, discover and value marine habitats.

The southeastern region of the state has experienced the severe impacts of climate change over the past few years, from inland flooding and tornadoes to coastal hurricanes and sea level rise. Many of the rural and underserved communities have been particularly hard hit. The expo is an opportunity to learn more about the region, the science of climate change, ways scientists and engineers are mitigating its impact, and what communities can do to build resiliency, officials said.

The festival’s theme, “Engineering Tomorrow,” “really resonated with us, so we came up with a concept and reached out to our campus and community colleagues to start planning,” said Sue Kezios, director of youth programs at UNCW, in a statement.

Terry DeMeo, director of development for Battleship North Carolina, which is in the process of launching the “Living With Water – A Coastal Community Resilience Project,” welcomed the chance to partner to host the expo, according to the university.

“The battleship is a highly recognizable symbol of Wilmington and in recent years has been experiencing extreme flooding events due to sea level rise. This made it a perfect location to hold an event focused on climate change and related issues,” Kezios said.

Community partners including the Army Corps of Engineers, UNCW’s Coastal Engineering program, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, MarineQuest, Trees-4-Trash, and others will host interactive, family-friendly stations on climate change and solutions to build resiliency. Visit the expo website for a list of exhibitors, to host a station or volunteer.

The expo is free to attend and includes access to the walkway around the battleship but tickets must be purchased to tour the interior of the ship. Children ages 11 and under can tour free with a ticketed adult. Wilmington Water Tours will also be on site offering short waterfront tours for a small fee.

Pollinator Palooza! April 10-16 is a weeklong virtual event about the important role pollinators play in nature and some of the threats that pollinators face. North Carolina Coastal Land Trust in Wilmington is hosting a socially distanced live demonstration at the end of the week, 11 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. April 16, for individuals and families who register to pick up the free, do-it-yourself pollinator kit beforehand.

Environmental educators and partners have created new videos about pollinators to be posted on the Coastal Land Trust website at 4 p.m. each day during Pollinator Palooza week.

Conservation Imagination begins at 9 a.m. April 16 at the Children’s Museum of Wilmington. The morning includes activities and experiments focused on conservation and engineering with a chance to engineer wildlife corridors and hurricane-safe homes, clean up the ocean and other activities.

Earth Day during NCSciFest

Several Earth Day activities are planned as part of the science festival, including the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23 Earth Day celebration at Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center in Jacksonville.

Molly Fifield, Sturgeon City program and event assistant coordinator, explained that Sturgeon City is an environmental education center that provides numerous opportunities for hands-on science programs for the community.

“NCSciFest sponsoring our event helps us reach more members of our community and helps us achieve our mission. Both organizations share the same goal of spreading science education through hands on science events,” she said.

The free Earth Day event will feature multiple food trucks and around 40 local business and organization vendors to provide a fun and enriching day of community connection. Sturgeon City will also be running numerous educational science tables with activities and science experiments for attendees to visit and explore.

“We hope to encourage a celebration of environmental stewardship and continue fostering a love of science among current and future generations in our community. We are very excited for our community to come together and celebrate Earth Day with us,” she said.

Rangers at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro are joining in the Earth Day festivities with an Earth Day Tree Hike 9 a.m. April 22. Rangers will lead an educational hike through the woods to explore some of the sights and sounds along the park’s new walking trail.

“People will get a chance to explore our trails and learn about the different plants and animals that be found here at the park,” Hammocks Beach State Park Ranger Renee Evans told Coastal Review. The trail is about 2.5 miles.

Hammocks Beach will also host an Earth Day Matinee 2 p.m. April 23 at the Visitor Center. Popcorn will be provided. Attendees should bring their own snacks, pillows, and blankets. Sign up for a spot beforehand by contacting the park office at 910-326-4881.

Evans explained that every year North Carolina State Parks have select statewide celebrations that each park participates in, from self-guided activities to individual ranger-led programs. The North Carolina Science Festival is one of the optional events in which a park can celebrate. 

Hammocks Beach State Park has participated in the Science Festival every year since 2015 except 2020. 

This year, Evans said, the park will have a total of 11 ranger-led science programs all month long. Programs are free of charge, science-based, and related to the park or coastal North Carolina. These hands-on programs are designed for all ages.

Earth Day events near the coast

In nearby Kinston, the Earth & Science Day at Neuseway Nature Park will be from 12:15-4:15 p.m. April 16. The community event with various vendors and activities include hands-on science experiments and crafts. The Neuseway Science Fair Competition open to any student in Eastern North Carolina fourth grade and up is also included in the event.

At East Carolina University in Greenville, various researchers and area organizations will have displays and activities on biodiversity during the ECU Earth Day Expo 3 to 5 p.m. April 19. There will be live animals and plants, lab activities, natural history story times and other activities. The Biodiversity Initiative and Department of Biology at ECU will host the expo at the new Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, at Evans and 10th streets. More details are at https://biology.ecu.edu/biodiversity/.

Family Earth Science Night at River Park North is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21 at River Park North, 1000 Mumford Road, Greenville. Celebrate Earth Week with an evening of hands-on, family-friendly science experiments and demonstrations with the theme of air, water, fire and earth.

NCSciFest events through April

Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant: New Engineered Wastewater Reclamation System Tour 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 13. Virtual tour of Cummins Rocky Mount Engineer Plant’s new water reclamation system. Engineers and employees of the Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant will host the virtual event. Register at https://forms.gle/xP1NAgJpXdUqgSFUA.

Teen Science Chat 6 p.m. April 13 with Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington. Explore the science of liquid nitrogen and dry ice during the free event.

Science in 3D: Hurricane Maria at The Museum of Coastal Carolina on Ocean Isle Beach 11 a.m. April 14, April 19, April 21, April 26, and April 28. The virtual reality mobile classroom will dive into the eye of Hurricane Maria, track wind speed and rainfall, and learn what to do when there is a hurricane.

Sea Tales: Behind the Scenes 6 p.m. April 14 at The Museum of Coastal Carolina on Ocean Isle Beach. Visitors will be able to enjoy a tour of the facility’s aquariums, operations, and touch tank animals. 

Virtual SciFest Storytime: Women in Engineering with the Asheville Museum of Science will feature on Facebook Live a storytime about one of the many woman pioneers of engineering at 11 a.m. April 13, April 20 and April 27.

Connecting Art & the Environment: NCMA & EPA Educator Webinar 4 p.m. April 19 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Engagement & STEM Education Program and the NC Museum of Art. The free educator webinar showcases selected works in the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Fault Lines: Art and the Environment, which investigates how artists tackle environmental issues in their work, and explore how EPA scientists are addressing those issues in their research. Register to attend.

Crabby Crustacean Catch 11 a.m. April 16 at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Hear about different species of crabs found on the state park’s beaches and in the surrounding waters and investigate their habitats, what they eat, and any threats.

Family Day at the Museum of Coastal Carolina on Ocean Isle Beach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 includes crafts and games inside and outside of the museum, weather permitting, as well as food vendors and community representatives. Admission is free for Brunswick County residents with an ID and $3 a person for nonresidents. 

Mission Mars: An Interactive Mars Adventure Game is at 3 p.m. April 17 and April 24 at Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach. Included in the program is a virtual reality expedition to the surface of Mars. Best for groups of four to eight people, with participants being at least 8 years of age. Admission is $9.50 for adults, seniors $8.50 and for ages 3 to 12, $7.50.

Personal Storytelling in Science: Shaping the World We Hope to See is at noon April 20. The Story Collider virtual talk with Dr. Edith Gonzalez will discuss her research into personal stories as tools of identity formation among scientists and specifically provides historically marginalized scientists to see their own expertise as a way of inoculating against imposter phenomenon. The Story Collider helps people of all walks of life tell their true, personal stories about science. To attend, register here.

Local Composting Facility Virtual Tour noon April 21. The webinar will include a full virtual tour of the composting facility and information about the various process that takes place to make soil-enriching compost at the Brooks Composting Facility in Goldston. Register online. 

HeatHack: Data Science Collabathon 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 23. The Data-Driven EnviroLab and the Museum of Life and Science are hosting the HeatHack 2022 Data Science Collabathon. The hybrid in-person/remote one-day hackathon will bring together coders, programmers, data visualization experts, and environmental enthusiasts to help develop engaging data visuals, and create action plans to address the growing and intensifying challenge of climate change and urban heat in the Triangle.

Butterfly BINGO begins at 2 p.m. April 24 at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Hear about some of butterflies in the park’s gardens and learn about some of the ways you to attract butterflies to a backyard garden.

Restoring the Oyster 3:30 p.m. April 25, Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Meet at the kayak dock behind the visitor center for a close look at oysters and how they benefit people and the environment. 

Sea Tales: Sea Turtles 6 p.m. April 28 at The Museum of Coastal Carolina in Ocean Isle Beach will teach visitors about the life cycle and species of sea turtles, how volunteers track sea turtle nests, and how to protect sea turtles.

Migration Madness 2 p.m. April 30 at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. Join a park ranger for a short hike and look at migrating birds.

Introduction to iNaturalist and the City Nature Challenge with Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington. Learn about the City Nature Challenge, a worldwide annual BioBlitz-style event where people record their observations of nature. Discover how to use iNaturalist to identify, document and discover living things around you. Organizers recommend creating a free iNaturalist account in advance of the program by downloading the app or visiting www.inaturalist.org. The free program is intended for ages 14 and up, but all are welcome. 

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is celebrating Earth Day April 22-29 with a Party for the Planet.

Presentations, up-close animal encounters and nature-based activities will focus on the year’s theme, Spring into Action.

“Celebrating Party for the Planet is important because it’s an opportunity to show our appreciation for wildlife by learning about conservation issues, and also participating in those efforts,” Aquarium Educator Sarah Wright said in a statement.

Throughout the aquarium there will be education stations that highlight issues that relate to coastal communities, each with a suggested conservation action visitors can choose to put into practice at home. Topics will include native plants and pollinator gardens, North Carolina sustainable seafood, recycling and citizen science projects including City Nature Challenge, FrogWatch USA, North Carolina King Tides Project and Spot A Shark USA.

“Our goal for Party for the Planet this year is to introduce different ways Aquarium visitors and community members can contribute to local and global conservation. Whether a person chooses to plant a pollinator garden, participate in a beach cleanup, or start recycling at home, every little bit can have a positive impact,” Wright said.

In addition to the on-site events, the aquarium will host three off-site events in May and June where anyone can contribute to the preservation and protection of our local ecosystems, Wright said. There will be a community recycling workshop May 7, Suds for Sharks fundraiser for shark species May 20 and habitat restoration projects June 4.

For more than 20 years, Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide have hosted Party for the Planet events making it North America’s largest combined Earth Day, Endangered Species Day and World Ocean Day celebration, according to the aquarium.

It’s the association’s fourth year of the “Spring into Action” campaign with support from the Disney Conservation Fund. The campaign goal is to provide family-friendly, conservation-based events and volunteer opportunities that improve the health of our planet’s habitats and ecosystems.

For more information on the Aquarium’s on-site Party for the Planet events April 22-29 visit the website https://bit.ly/NCAPKS-SpecialEvents.

Update March 22: Organizers told Coastal Review that as of late Monday, there is a waiting list for classes to participate on April 8. The food truck on April 9 will be Beaufort Grocery Co.

Original post:

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center is celebrating Earth Day the second week of April.

The free celebration is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, for kindergarten to fifth grade classes and again Saturday, April 9, for families. The event will be held at the museum, 1785 Island Road, Harkers Island.

Educators will need to register their classes to attend on April 8. Email education@coresound.com or send a message through Facebook with the school name and total number of students that will be attending. 

There will be 21 learning stations around the museum, along its Willow Pond trail, under the oaks and at the restored Jean Dale vessel. Education exhibitors from the area include the Sylvan Heights Bird Park and Avian Breeding Center, Capt. Thomas Smith of Miss Gina’s Fresh Shrimp, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and others.

“This is my first Earth Day since joining the Museum as Education Programs Coordinator and I am overwhelmed with everyone’s eagerness to come to the end of the road for a day of honoring our natural environment,” Tanner Lynk with the museum said in a statement.

Family Day is set for 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. April 9. Parents and children will have the opportunity to explore the maritime forest along the Willow Pond Trail behind the museum, paint their own one-of-a-kind decoy head, and take part in further educational experiences about the unique wildlife in the area.  

“Through these exhibits you and your family can learn about the wonderful world that surrounds us from the ocean to the sound and the shoreline and the ways in which each of us can help protect it for future generations,” added Dr. Ike Southerland, Core Sound’s STEAM programs coordinator. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

School groups are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. Surf Shack food truck will be on site Saturday.

Core Sound has celebrated Earth Day, when able, with gatherings large and small since 2008. Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 on April 22, marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement, according to earthday.org.