April 22nd 2010 marked the 40th anniversary of the celebration of the first Earth Day in the US in 1970. Since that time Earth Day has become a global day for discussion of pressing environmental issues, education on these issues, and positive action for the environment.
In Bermuda this year, Earth Day was marked by the second annual BASEC Earth Day celebration at Victoria Park. This celebration was largely organised and driven by young people through the Bermuda Association of Eco-Clubs (BASEC). The event offered an afternoon of entertainment by many local musicians, student groups and poets, as well as children’s activities including making recycled artwork, and a giant climate change snakes and ladders game. There were also 25 exhibitors (including many BAP partners) displaying everything from solar panels and square foot gardens to environmentally themed children’s books, bluebird boxes and electric scooters.
The Department of Conservation Services was please to be able to take part in this event to showcase the work undertaken by the department to protect and enhance Bermuda’s biodiversity and to promote awareness of biodiversity in this, the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB 2010).
Congratulations to BASEC and the Earth Day Organising Committee on an educational and entertaining event.
Related BAP actions & activities:
- Action E.8: Promote community participation in biodiversity conservation through local and international action days for the environment.
- Action D.9: Use public events to raise public awareness of biodiversity conservation and to encourage direct involvement.
- Activity D 9.2: Build on existing street festivals (including Harbour Nights and Heritage Day Parade), sporting events and exhibitions (including The Annual Exhibition and the Eden Project) to incorporate biodiversity messages – including biodiversity-themed costumes, floats and vendors.