Earth Fest brings climate activists and nature lovers together
It’s a day to celebrate all things nature.
Saturday morning kicked off with different community groups helping to clean up garbage in parks and along the banks of the Thames River.
The Antler River Rally (ARR) team pulled more than a dozen bags of trash from Ann St. Park.
“We had 45 people registered for our cleanup today, which is a great turnout,” said ARR volunteer Justin Sim.
“It's nice to see everyone clean up this river. It runs all the way through the city and it's kind of the lifeblood of the city. So it's nice to have that cleaned up and clean up the watershed as well”
After the cleanup, various teams headed into downtown for the third annual Earth Fest.
The event at Citi Plaza had over 3,000 visitors and more than 100 exhibits in 2023, and expanded this year.
“It's a celebration of all the work that people have been doing and the action is happening,” said Mary-Ann Hodge, a co-organizer of Earth Fest and co-founder of Climate Action London.
“There are a lot of people who want to see more action on climate change and to help the environment but they don't always know what to do. So we are here to celebrate all the actions and all the activities that people do but also to connect people. It's actually also a great networking spot for all the environmental groups just to see what everyone is doing."
Among those in attendance were Jaclyn Winter and her daughters Charleigh, and Harper.
Jaclyn Winter, right, and her daughters Harper and Charleigh pose with their new Tulip Tree at Earth Fest in downtown London, Ont. on Apr 20, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)They were taking advantage of the free tree program.
“It's kind of like a new family tradition,” said Winter.
“We love nature, and we are always outside with the kids. We picked out a tree that's going to bring butterflies to the yard so the kids can experience butterflies."
Earth Fest also featured speakers, live music, kids' activities and exhibits.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.