Celebrate Our Planet

REGIONAL — Earth Day is just around the corner, so what can you do to celebrate?
On Earth Day, April 22, the Merrimack River Watershed Council is looking for volunteers to help clean up Deer Island in Amesbury. As a result of visitors and swift downstream currents, this small waterfront park off the Derek Hines Memorial Bridge and the Chain Bridge collects a significant amount of trash and microplastics.
The goal is to reduce the island’s accumulated waste and restore its pristine condition.
Register either by visiting merrimack.org/events or at https://secure.lglforms.com/form…/s/QWkGXh7BwOvV-uXNHNtT4g
This year’s Earth Port Film Festival will take place at the Firehouse on Sunday, April 23. With 11 short films ranging from three to 18 minutes, the festival tells engaging and inspiring stories about people impacted by environmental challenges on the planet today and who are taking action to address them.
A pre-show reception with refreshments begins at 5:30 p.m. Film screenings begin at 6 p.m.
There are a variety of film genres represented this year, including documentary, western, fantasy, and animation. With stories from the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Honduras, Iran, France, and Spain. Agroforestry, indigenous traditions, waste management and climate activism are among the discussed topics.
Details about the films are available at www.earthportfilm.org.
Ticket prices are $10 for students and $15 for adults in advance ($12 and $17 at the door). Tickets for the festival can be purchased from the Firehouse Box Office at Market Square, by phone at 978-462-7336 or online at www.firehouse.org.