Seattle Press on Line - Earth Day Event Offers Hope

Earth Day Event Offers Hope

Apr 18, 2002 -- The Earth Day event Wilderness Awareness School is presenting, "Seattle Earth Day 2002: Finding Hope Through Nature," Sunday April 21 from 6:00-9:30 PM at "Town Hall" 1119 8th Ave.

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has come to represent a focus on environmental issues and celebration of the planet through such events as community clean-ups and tree plantings, protest rallies, walk-a-thons, and outdoor festivals. This year in Seattle, however, a local celebration promises to offer something you probably don’t associate with Earth Day—a strong dose of hope.

"I think we all could use a reason for hope right now," says Dan Rain, an organizer of the event, "whether it’s current worldwide political events, domestic issues that have taken the back-burner, or the worsening environmental crisis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless about the future." Rain works with Wilderness Awareness School, a national non-profit environmental education organization based in Duvall, Washington that has "awakened connections with nature since 1983."

"At Wilderness Awareness School we find renewed hope through the eyes of future generations," Rain says. "When you mentor a young person through the incredible process of discovery about nature to truly understanding and appreciating the natural world, and then eventually finding their true gifts or passions in life," says Rain, "you see them immerge as stewards and leaders in their own communities, and you re-experience all the potential for change and optimism for the future that you may have temporarily lost."

The Earth Day event Wilderness Awareness School is presenting, "Seattle Earth Day 2002: Finding Hope Through Nature" shares this message of renewed optimism and hope with the entire Puget Sound community, according to Rain, through a keynote address by award-winning author and renowned activist Starhawk, and live music by internationally acclaimed bluegrass and folk artist Laurie Lewis with Tom Rozum. "Seattle Earth Day 2002," a community celebration and benefit for Wilderness Awareness School, is open to the public. It is being held Sunday April 21 from 6:00-9:30 PM at "Town Hall" 1119 8th Ave. Seattle, and is sponsored by KBCS and Seattle Weekly. Suggested donations for admission is $20 in advance/ $25 at the door for adults, half-price for children 12 and under, and free for children 4 and under. "We want the event to be accessible to everyone" Rain says. More information and tickets are available at www.WildernessAwareness.org or by calling 425-788-1301.

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