Earth Day celebrations are planned for the next two Saturdays in a location near you! This Saturday, April 21, volunteers from Annandale United Methodist Church will hold an Earth Day rally, while a riparian buffer restoration (planting vegetation along streams) is underway. Both events begin at 1 p.m.

On the same day, and at the same time, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce Street in Annandale, will host Children’s Diversity Day, celebrating children from around the world in a green-friendly environment. Live entertainment, games, and crafts will be featured for children age 3 to 12. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required, and a small fee of $5 is charged per child. You should park at the Annandale Community Park on Hummer Road and take a short stroll down the trail to the center. Call 703/941-1065 for more information.

If you want to begin your day a little earlier, stop by the Green Spring Gardens Market Day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Local growers will present shrubs, native plants, wildflowers, ornamental grasses, and unusual perennials and annuals for sale. The Green Spring Master Gardeners will be on hand to provide free gardening information at each Market Day. The Green Spring Gardens entrance is on Braddock Road just north of its intersection with Little River Turnpike.

The following Saturday, April 28, is the official observance of Earth Day in Fairfax County. The annual celebration is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Billy B., Back Pack Puppets, Baltimore Zoomobile, Build a Ladybug House (courtesy of Home Depot), a petting zoo, Ocean Encounters, and Glee Mania are just a few of the activities planned. Used and obsolete computers and peripherals can be recycled at the ServiceSource station in the parking lot for a small handling charge. An awards program, honoring outstanding local environmental efforts, will begin at 1 p.m. Admission to the Earth Day celebration is free, and fun for the whole family.

Another celebration of the environment took place as the Board of Supervisors last week proclaimed the week of April 22 – 28 as “County Government Week.” This year’s theme is “Protecting the Environment,” and counties all over the country are endorsing the National Association of Counties’ initiative to celebrate how local governments are good stewards of our environmental resources.  Fairfax County’s environ-mental initiatives include adoption of a 20-year Environmental Vision that implements renewable energy, air quality, natural resource management, and green fleet programs. The Board of Supervisors also set an ambitious goal to acquire ten percent of the county’s landmass as parkland; we’re at 9.4 percent and counting. Multi-model transportation options include public transit, bicycle and pedestrian trails, ride sharing, and telework opportunities. The challenges are significant, and there is much more to be done, but Fairfax County is proud to be in the forefront of those local governments who are setting the pace for stewardship across the country.