Earth Day's purpose is to connect people of all backgrounds to better our shared environment. Locally, there are numerous ways to participate. On April 21 at Promontory Park, join the El Dorado Hills Community Services District for Earth Day EDH where volunteers will plant trees and spread bark from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Up the hill, the El Dorado County Earth Day Committee presents the Placerville Earth Day Celebration on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are encouraged to bring a picnic and low-backed lawn chairs to this free event at the Placerville Library. "There will be live music all day and Earth-related [vendors], including local arts and crafts and informational booths, [along with some] special kids’ activities like face painting and a visit from Smokey the Bear," says Linda Howard of the El Dorado County Earth Day Committee. The event will start with Native American drummers and storytellers, and all are then encouraged to celebrate the planet by learning how to live sustainably. Whatever it is you end up doing, be sure to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy our precious planet. 

By Emily Peter