Spring will be a busy season for sustainability-related events in El Cerrito. All events will soon be posted on the City’s website at www.el-cerrito.org/green. People wishing to get more information, participate or volunteer can contact Maria Sanders in the Community Development Department at 215-4361.

Mark your calendars for the following:
• Earth Hour - March 29, Saturday 8:30 to 9:30 PM:
 People around the world will turn off lights and unneeded appliances between 8:30 and 9:30 PM to show support for curbing human-caused climate change. Friends of Five Creeks, El Cerrito Trail Trekkers, and the El Cerrito Environmental Quality Committee will sponsor an easy, level starlit stroll with great views in the Hillside Natural Area. Special activities include participating in a Citizen Science project to document light pollution’s effect on the night sky.

• The Smart Approach to Home Comfort and Energy Efficiency - April 10, 6:30 to 8 PM, City Council Chambers. Workshop on home comfort and energy efficiency, highlighting how residents can tap into current rebate programs.

• The Smart Approach to Residential Solar Energy– Date to be determined. Workshop on residential solar energy, highlighting common pitfalls to avoid and recent changes to solar incentives.

• Earth Day - April 26, Work Parties from 9 AM to 12 PM; Volunteer Appreciation Lunch from 12 PM to 1:30 PM. Volunteers can register now to participate through the On-Line Registration Form or by downloading the Mail-In Registration Form and mailing or dropping it off at the Operations and Environmental Services Division, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530.

• The Drought-Resilient Home – May 1, 6:30 to 8:30 PM, City Council Chambers. Workshop on how residents can respond to the drought with easy home improvements that save water, laundry-to-garden grey water systems, and drought resilient landscapes.

• Bike to Work Day – May 8, 7:30 AM to 9 AM. Annual day to celebrate biking to work. Come visit the City’s Energizer Station at the bike locker “wave” on the Ohlone Greenway opposite El Cerrito Plaza BART station.

• Hillside Natural Area Festival – Saturday, May 17; morning time TBD – A fun educational event sponsored by Open Space Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee to celebrate the assets of the Hillside Natural Area and to raise awareness about the fundraising effort to purchase the Madera Open Space.

• Ohlone Greenway Festival – Saturday May 31; morning time TBD– A fun celebration including such activities as a “Fun Run” and a scavenger hunt to highlight the assets and potential of the newly opened Ohlone Greenway.