April 22
• Celebrate the Earth with CELP. Join the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program as they present interactive and Earth-friendly demonstrations including eco-paper making, worm-composting, gardening and solar-baking. Grades K to 5 and their families, 2 to 4 p.m., Santa Monica Main Library, Children’s Activity Room, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard.
• Earth Day Rally. Venice Neighborhood Council’s Santa Monica Airport Committee is sponsoring a rally against Santa Monica Airport’s use of leaded fuel in propeller planes, 3 to 5 p.m., Bundy Drive and Airport Avenue.
April 23
• Beach Cleanup with Heal the Bay, The Santa Monica College community will come together in a day of service and cleanup of a local beach. Volunteers will meet at the SMC Center for Environmental and Urban Studies and carpool or take the bus to the cleanup site, 12:30 p.m., 310.434.3909
Santa Monica Teacher Wins $5000 Educator Award
Marine scientist and Santa Monica High School biology teacher Benjamin Kay received the $5000 grand prize “Earth Month Heroes” award for his efforts to inspire his students about environmental conversation. Specifically, Kay was chosen for his lifetime dedication of urging students to see how manmade impacts threaten aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Created by the Wyland Foundation, and its educational outreach partner, Toyota, the Earth Month Heroes program recognizes teachers who continually provide environmental education in the face of budget cuts. Additional sponsors are KCAL / KCBS and AES, with support from the LA Office of Education.
Kay was not the only Earth Month Heroes winner. Thirty Los Angeles and Orange County teachers were also selected via a nomination process by parents, students, and peers. Teachers were selected based on their ability to spark environmental interest among their students. Each winning teacher received a $500 cash prize, and one teacher a day is being recognized throughout the month of April.
