By KARIN ARGANO and WAYNE ATTOE

At the Greenspace Creekside Reserve on Center Street, advance work has been underway for the larger-than-ever Earth Day celebration on Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Greenspace is excited to be partnering with Soto’s True Earth Market this year.

     The historical Chinese Temple has a fresh coat of paint and other improvements. (Training for new docents for Cambria’s Chinese cultural site begins soon, and we welcome more for the class.)  New plantings have extended the Native Plant Garden on Center Street with the help of Terry and Cheryl Kershaw and other volunteers.  The transition to native plants began last year and has been aided by donations of plants and materials from local businesses.  The “Learning Shed” for nature classes and the like was inaugurated recently for the STEM education program.

     As in years past, at the Earth Day celebration Greenspace will be seeking helpers to raise Monterey pine seedlings at home in readiness for another large planting party in November.  This will expand the new stand planted by Greenspace staff and volunteers at Hearst San Simeon State Park to about 6,000 Monterey pines. Greenspace will offer a tree planting demonstration on Earth Day, and attendees may pick up trays, seeds, and growing guidelines.

     This year’s global Earth Day theme is “Planet vs. Plastics”; many of the 30-plus booths at the Creekside Reserve will reflect this.  True Earth Market and Greenspace are producing an organic cotton tote to help get the theme underway.  Join Greenspace members and volunteers for local food and beverages, music and storytelling, classes in the Learning Center and the meadow, eco-education booths, animal ambassadors, lots of kids’ activities, and more.  Absolutely no dogs, please, in respect for our wildlife ambassadors.  Admission free, with food and beverages available for purchase.  The Creekside Reserve is located at 2264 Center Street in Cambria’s East Village.  For any questions, please go to: admin@greenspacecambria.org or call Greenspace at 805-927-2866.