Going green

Earth Day is Friday, April 22. This observance began with an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues. First celebrated in 1970, it emphasized the need for conserving the world’s natural resources. Today, Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated, often with the  practice of planting new trees.

A common way to celebrate Earth Day is to incorporate the three Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle — into your family’s daily life, as well as eating local, planting your own garden or cleaning up a nearby park.

If you’re looking to help out around the area, here are some Earth Day activities going on along the 280 corridor.

►April 16: Oak Mountain State Park Trail Cleanup. On Saturday, April 16, the park will have two opportunities for volunteers to help clean up Oak Mountain’s trails and also learn about the natural resources of the state and ways to protect them.

10 a.m. - Meet at Group Camp Road (just past the intersection of John Findlay Drive and Terrace Drive).

1 p.m. - Meet at the Lake Trail ( at the marina parking lot).

For information, visit alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park.

►April 21: Earth Month Art Party + Silent Auction. Benefiting the Cahaba River Society, the event will feature a silent auction, live music, food and drinks in support of clean water. Admission is a $20 donation. The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. For information, call 322-5326 or visit tonyajonessalon.com. 

►April 22: Hanna’s Garden Shop. To celebrate Earth Day and encourage people to plant, Hanna’s will offer each shopper 15 percent off any one tree, and will also give away one bag of soil conditioner with any purchase of one or more trees or shrubs.

They will also have experts on hand to help answer any questions shoppers may have about finding the right plant for their needs.

For information, visit hannasgardenshop.com.