On April 22, eco-conscious citizens will come together again in communities across the country to celebrate Earth Day and work for the planet’s healthy, sustainable future. This year, the Earth Day Network (EDN) is asking people to join its Protect Our Species campaign to raise awareness of the crucial roles that plants and animals play in the ecosystem and the current threats faced by many of them.

The nonprofit cites that the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction in 60 million years because of human activity, including climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides. But the good news, EDN says, is that the rate of extinctions can be slowed, and many of our declining, threatened and endangered species can still recover if we work together now. This will necessitate a united global movement of consumers, voters, educators, faith leaders and scientists that demands immediate action.

EDN is asking people to advocate for government policies that protect species and their habitats, and to continue to build on the worldwide efforts that embrace the value of nature.

It is also asking people to undertake such individual actions as adopting a plant-based diet and stopping pesticide and herbicide use. More information, including teach-in toolkits and facts on threatened species, from whales to insects, can be found at EarthDay.org.

Help our area celebrate and promote progress in species sustainability efforts 
by participating in these local Earth Day 2019 events.

Croton Earth Day

Location: Vassallo Park, Old Post Rd. South. Info: crotononhudson-ny.gov

Ossining / Fable: From Farm to Table

Info: FableFoods.com.

Mamaroneck /Film Free Movie Screening

Tickets/info: Limited seating is available. Must purchase tickets ahead of time: wpbid.com/earthday 914.328.5166.

Mamaroneck / WLT Earth Day of Action at Otter Creek Preserve

Info: WestchesterLandTrust.org. 914.234.6992

Scarsdale / Greenburgh Nature Center Earth Week Celebration

Info: 914.723.3470. GreenburghNatureCenter.org.

Tarrytown Earth Day

Info: TarrytownEnvironmental.org.

Wappingers Falls / Common Ground Opening of the Fields

Info: commongroundfarm.org

Green Ossining Celebrates Earth Day

with Family-Friendly Festival

Green Ossining will host its ninth annual Earth Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 27, at Louis B. Engel Waterfront Park. The Greater Ossining community is invited to come learn how to live more sustainably, visit artisan vendors, and enjoy food and live music on the banks of the Hudson River.

Westchester County’s largest community-run Earth Day festival has grown from 20 vendors and 300 attendees in its first year to 100-plus vendors and an expected 4,000 or more visitors this year. People come from as far south as Brooklyn and from counties surrounding and north of Westchester to attend.

Organizers say this year’s festival will have more hands-on activities and educational opportunities for all ages, in addition to live music and entertainment. Featured events will include arts and artisan vendors; eco-demonstrations and hands-on activities; a kid’s activity zone; environmental advocacy; zero-waste festival grounds; local food (including vegetarian and vegan fare); and craft beer.

There will be drum and ukulele circles, as well as local musicians on stage, including stage hosts Mike and Miriam Risko and the Mike Risko Band. A variety of local vendors will be selling or showcasing their green practices and products, and representatives from community organizations will have displays focused on the environment and sustainability.

The festival is hosted and organized by Green Ossining, a local environmental resource organization, with the assistance of the Town and Village of Ossining. Green Ossining was founded in 2009 with a mission to promote environmental sustainability community-wide and develop practical methods to protect natural resources. It creates a forum for people who are concerned about the environment to explore, identify and prioritize sensible green methods and practices.

“This year, as we celebrate the 49th anniversary of Earth Day, we remain keenly aware of the great challenges affecting our natural environment and our planet overall,” says Suzie Ross, chair and founding member of Green Ossining. “We also believe that there is much we can each personally do to affect and create a halo of positive change by the everyday choices we have the power to make.”

Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival blends education and entertainment, Ross says. “With a nod to the importance of sustainable communities, you’ll find many things you love about festivals—food, music, artisans, activities—as well as many environmental solutions and advocacy-based organizations, all cherry-picked for their local appeal and with an eye on environmental relevance.”

For more info, visit GreenOssining.org.