San Rafael, CA – Earth Day is going to be a public education bonanza out at Stinson Beach this year as environmentally conscious nonprofits and government agencies get together Sunday, April 22, to share earth-friendly information with beachgoers. It’s the 14th annual Earth Day Stinson Beach.
County planner Alex Westhoff chats with a young visitor and her mother at last June's Shrinking Shores event at Stinson Beach.
Participants from OneTam, the National Park Service, the National Parks Conservancy, the Marin County chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, Samavesha, the Zach Pine Nature Sculpture, and the Friends of Mount Tam will be among the groups with interactive displays at the Stinson Beach parking lot and on the beach itself. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also, the County of Marin’s Community Development Agency (CDA) will talk about the effects of sea-level rise as part of a statewide campaign organized by Marin CDA called Shrinking Shores. The project provides a physical demonstration of how sea-level rise impacts shorelines by squeezing them between rising waters and development. Shrinking Shores events will be hosted up and down the California coast in June.
At Earth Day Stinson Beach, beachgoers will see a dramatic illustration about predicted ocean levels through the end of the century. Temporary signposts and flags will be stuck into the sand to depict scenarios of future sea-level rise. Shrinking Shores organizers will staff a booth near the “Year 2100” level of the beach.
Sea-level rise is already threatening billions of dollars’ worth of homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure statewide. Marin County preparing communities to meet the challenges by assessing what is vulnerable to rising tides, creating opportunities for residents to learn from the experts, and by involving everyone in collaborative planning for the expected environmental changes. Some accelerated sea-level rise is assured, but there is still time to prevent worst-case scenarios. All Shrinking Shores events include information on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the County’s Sustainability Team will provide details on rebate and direct-install programs that can help Marin residents save energy, water, and money in their homes during Earth Day Stinson Beach. Anyone can sign up for a no-cost Green House Call to get an assessment on energy and water use. There is much more information for residents on the Sustainability Team’s "Programs for Residents" webpage.
Earth Day Stinson Beach is designed to be a family friendly event with art, music, dance. Volunteers are needed! Find the volunteer form at www.EarthDayStinsonBeach.org.
The Shrinking Shores tent will be located on Stinson Beach near the main parking lot and restrooms from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22. To get a feel for the Shrinking Shores campaign, view a 30-second promotional video. Follow the County’s sea-level rise programs at www.marinSLR.org, on Facebook and on Twitter.