VOLUNTEERS promotes environmental awareness and action. Photo courtesy of Green Long Beach
By Fernando Alcantara
Sun managing editor
Eighty years ago on April 22, 20 million Americans peacefully demonstrated and brought national awareness to environmental problems that plagued the Earth.
The results of that day, now known as Earth Day, was the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.
Today, the grass roots activism that propelled Earth Day to become such a successful campaign continues to broadcast the message of sustainable living through the tireless efforts of a group of volunteers and the work of Green Long Beach.
Green Long Beach, a non-profit collaborative community organization comprised of volunteers, promotes environmental education and outreach, community gardens and green spaces, green jobs and training and the annual Green Long Beach festival.
The festival, which will be held on June 11, is in its third year. It will be held at the Promenade between Broadway and 3rd Street in Long Beach, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The goal of the festival is to “let people in the Long Beach area know what’s going on in their city, what green things are available to them and to stimulate the green economy,” said festival director Ina Parker-Hicks.
The organization hopes to encourage locals to participate in the green movement and to educate the community and businesses about sustainable practices.
The festival is heavily promoted by local artists and musicians who will showcase their work, as well and provide the necessary musical ambiance for the festival.
Among the sponsors of last year’s festival were Raw Inspiration: a California Certified Farmers Market whose mission is to promote the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily and the Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse, a green and eco-friendly store that promotes the reuse of items for creative projects.
On May 17, a fundraiser will be held at Forbidden City (6380 East Pacific Coast Highway) at the Marina Pacifica in Long Beach. 20 percent of the sales made between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. will go towards the planning of the festival.
For more information on volunteering or participating in the festival, go to GreenLb.org or call (562) 646-SOIL.
