By Sentinel Staff
Sitka is answering the nationwide Earth Week call with a bounty of environmental activities including cleanups, a parade, conversations and an art show.
Earth Week started Sunday and ends with Earth Day on April 22, with some related programs next week.
A roundup of the week’s events includes the following.
Ugly Side of Plastic Art Show
‘‘The Ugly Side of Plastic Art Show’’ will be exhibited 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18-19 at 124 Lincoln Street – the small upstairs entryway next to Silver Basin. Contact Michelle Putz, 747-2748, with questions.
The show examines how plastic is affecting people and the environment. Artists include Norm Campbell, John Straley, Perry Edwards, Pat Kehoe, Libby Stortz, Jesse Ranke, Marcus Lee, Joy Light, Pamela Ash, Jane Berlin, Helen Dangel, Liz Zacher, Roberta White, and an anonymous artist.
Community Conversation
Exchange students from China, India, Thailand, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bolivia will host a community conversation on cultural perspectives on earth care 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
In keeping with the Earth Week theme, organizers will open a cross-cultural dialogue on how different cultures think and care about the Earth.
Kik.sadi clan member Vanessa Brady will join the conversation to provide a local perspective.
Sitkans are invited to ask questions and share their own ideas about earth stewardship in an informal gathering.
Tea and coffee will be provided, and everyone is being encouraged to take a dessert. Attendees should take their own plate and utensil to reduce waste.
Parade of the Species
Sitka Conservation Society will host the annual Parade of Species 3:30 p.m. April 19. Participants should dress as a favorite species for the costume contest and meet by 3:15 p.m. at Totem Square for costume judging and parade lineup. The parade will proceed down Lincoln Street to the Sitka Sound Science Center, where an Earth Fair celebration with family activities is planned.
Categories for the costume contest will be: Best Group Costume, Best Local Animal Costume, Best Local Plant Costume, Best Use of Recycled Materials Costume and Best Costume Age 16-plus.
For information, call 747-7509 or email claire@sitkaw
Tlingit Potato Planting
The U.S. Forest Service and Sitka Tribe of Alaska will be planting Maria’s “Tlingit” potatoes 10:45 a.m. Friday, April 19, at the Sitka Ranger District office.
All are invited to help plant and learn more about the crop. Participants should wear rubber boots and take gardening gloves, a shovel, a bucket of seaweed if possible, and questions. For more information, contact Michelle at 747-2708.
Eco-Challenge
Kids can put their wit, skills and teamwork to the test at an eco-challenge 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 20, beginning at the Sitka Conservation Society, above Old Harbor Books.
Join Sitka 4-H to compete in eco-themed challenges and celebrate the Earth. Sign up in teams of four or as an individual to be placed on a team. Call Kevan at 747-7509 to register in advance. Ages 5 and older can participate.
Group Bike Ride
The Sitka Cycling Club is hosting a group ride 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20. It will start and end at the Fisheye Organic Café, a restaurant that offers a 20 percent discount to helmeted cyclist who are part of the bicycle benefits program.
The group will ride to Silver Bay and back, 10 miles round trip, and takes about one hour to complete.
For more information or to sign up for the Sitka Cycling Club go to: https://sitkacycling.wordpress.com/
Coastal Code Cleanup
All are invited to join the Sitka Sound Science Center Saturday, April 20, for the 2019 Coastal CODE Cleanup, sponsored by Alaskan Brewing.
Bags can be picked up at the Science Center starting at 11 a.m. Participants will need to have any trash collected brought back to the center by 3 p.m. A barbecue is slated for volunteers after the event.
Prizes will be given for various categories, including largest single item and strangest item.
For information, contact Sandy or Alex at 747-8878. Those wanting to pick up bags earlier than 11 a.m. on Saturday should call.
Raptor Center Celebration
The Alaska Raptor Center Earth Day Celebration is slated 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. Family members are invited to learn about Southeast Alaska’s plants and animals through the center’s new interactive nature trail. Attendees and meet and greet resident birds up close and participante in a litter cleanup project to say “thank you” to the earth, organizers said. Call the Raptor Center at 747-8662.
Fisherfolk Lunch
All fisherfolk are invited to the annual ‘‘We Love our Fisherfolk’’ lunch 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School.
Individuals will be expressing gratitude to those who have donated to the Fish 2 Schools Lunch program. RSVPs are needed by Friday, April 19, to Sitka Conservation Society at 747-7509.
Science Programs
The natural history seminar at UAS-Sitka Campus will feature two environmental presentations on Thursday, April 25, in room 229.
At 6:30 p.m. students from the Alaska dive semester will provide highlights from their training and semester studies including projects on kelp exposure, invasive tunicate and underwater cleanup. At 7:30 p.m., Dr. Andres Lopez will present “A Glimpse Into Alaska’s Hidden Freshwater Fish Biodiversity.’’ Lopez is an ichthyologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is Scientist in Residence Fellow for April and May at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
Landslide Studies
On April 30, 7:30-9 p.m., researchers working on a landslide warning system for Sitka will be on hand at UAS-Sitka Campus, in Room 229. Future landslide geology studies and the related social science research on developing a landslide warning system will be addressed.
