The number of Earth Day events in South Florida grows every year, but that’s no excuse to miss any of them. Here’s a list of South Florida Earth Day 2010 events.

If you don’t see an event, please e-mail me at editor@theecozine.com

LET’S RE-TAKE OUR PLATES FILM SERIES
WHEN: April 10-23
WHERE: Locations across South Florida
WHY: This is your best chance to watch some of the best and newest documentaries showcasing what really goes into your food and how much damage we’re doing to our planet. Documentaries include No Impact Man, The Garden, Food Inc,
ADMISSION: $5-$7
MORE INFO: Click here to read more on the film series

EARTH DAY EVERYDAY
WHEN: Saturday April 17
TIME: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale.
WHY: Speakers all day and booths with great, local environmentalists and conservationists.
ADMISSION: regular park admission, $6/ car, $2/ pedestrian
MORE INFO: click here

EARTH MIAMI ON JUNGLE ISLAND
WHEN: April 17-18
WHERE:1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami.
WHY: Two-day festival commemorates Earth Day with eco-tours a local horticulturist, recycle animal sculpture display by South Florida schools, interactive eco-conscious activities and stations
ADMISSION: $20 when you bring a can or bottle to recycle
MORE INFO: Call (305) 400-7000‎ or visit www.JungleIsland.com

THE FALLS’ “GO GREEN” EXPO
WHEN: Saturday, April 17
TIME: 1-5 p.m. The Little Planet Helper’s Club from 2-4 p.m.
WHERE: The Falls’ Center Court, U.S. 1 and SW 136th Street.
WHY: Expo will showcase various businesses that will educate families about the importance of keeping the environment clean.
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFO:Call 305-255-4571

EARTHFEST 2010
WHEN: Sunday, April 18th,
TIME: 12 to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Crandon Park Visitors & Biscayne Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne.
WHY: Celebrates 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Includes performances by Expand the Love and hands-on nature workshops on organic gardening, every child outdoors, raw food preparation, yoga and deep ecology. Must bring concert blanket or portable chair.
ADMISSION: regular park entrance, $6/ person
MORE INFO: Call 305-323-8858 or click here

GREEN DRINKS SOUTH FLORIDA
WHEN: Thursday, April 22
TIME: 6:30 to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Boca Raton Resort and Country Club
WHY: This is a black-tie event with a green-tie flair. Network with green business owners, enjoy an ECO fashion show, watch the ECO lifestyle awards, and have a delicious organic buffet dinner.
ADMISSION: $125
MORE INFO: www.southfloridagreendrinks.org

MIAMI GOING GREEN
WHEN: Saturday, April 24
TIME: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bayfront Park, 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
WHY: The team onboard the Bahamas to U.S. Solar-Powered Crossing expedition will arrive to Bayfront Park. Also, dozens of local vendors and green organizations will be there.
ADMISSION: free
MORE INFO: Click here

Image courtesy of flyingsinger

Cities across the globe will celebrate Coastal Cleanup Day Sept. 19, and South Florida is not staying behind.

Why it’s important to cleanup the shore? The list of reasons could be endless.

Think of all the plastic bags, bottles and other garbage that end up in the ocean every year (read this if you haven’t heard about the Pacific Garbage Patch), or the chemicals that our garbage releases into the water (which by the way come back to us in the fish we eat) or the harm we cause to the ecosystem when animals confuse trash for food and end up intoxicating if not choking on it.

Oceans already receive enough mercury from the coal and other industries, which has become a worldwide concern, and the leftovers from someone’s day at the beach shouldn’t add to it.

Remember how Florida advertises having the longest shoreline in the nation? Let’s keep it clean. On Sept. 19, do your (future) children and grandchildren a favor and come out to help cleanup our beautiful shore.

Here are some of the organizations that will be doing cleanups that day. I’ll update the list as I hear from more organizations. Do you know of other organizations planning a cleanup? I’d love to read your comments.

MIAMI:

Miami-Dade Coastal Cleanup:It will have volunteers in more than 30 locations across the County. Registration is required. Check here for a location close to you. As if helping save the marine life weren’t enough, there will be an after party for volunteers at the Miami Seaquarium.
Visit www.miamidadecoastalcleanup.org for more information.

Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach: In addition to their monthly Monument Island cleanups, on Sept. 19, ECOMB is also having a cleanup of Teacher’s Island. Kayaks will be available at no cost for the Monument Island cleanup, which will add to the fun. You need to register no later than 48 hours before the event.Visit www.ecomb.org for more information.

Friends of Virginia Key: Friends of Virginia Key can help clean up the Key at three locations: Hobie Beach, Windsurfer Beach and Marine Stadium. After the cleanup, join Friends of Virginia Key and other groups in an alternate BYOS (bring your own sandwich) mixer at the Virginia Key Beach Park picnic area. Visit: www.virginiakeybeachpark.net for more information.

BROWARD:

Broward County Biological Resources Division: Volunteers will help cleanup coastal areas throughout the county. Pre-registration necessary. For more information visit www.broward.org/bio/coastalcleanup_announcement.htm.

PALM BEACH:

Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful Inc.: Volunteers will clean sites from Boca Raton to Tequesta and will receive free t-shirts (while supplies last) to commemorate the event and their efforts. For more info visit www.keeppbcbeautiful.org/fcc2009.htm.

Photo by Rene Ehrhardt