Talkeetna hosts Earth Day Celebration

In time for Earth Day, the Denali Education Center (DEC) in Talkeetna held its annual Earth Day Celebration over the weekend.

Events included a visit from the Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, a bake sale sponsored by the Talkeetna Elementary PTA, forest tree pick-ups, and a demonstration of how ‘other’ plastics can be used to make alternative lumber, and a visit from Art We There Yet, a project to create art and music inspired by the Americas.

“This is making my heart soar; this is amazing,” said DEC Executive Director Jodi Rodwell.

Residents and visitors also had an opportunity to drop off old electronics and batteries for recycling provided by Backhaul Alaska, learn more about recycling from Talkeetna Recycling Works and Valley Community for Recycling Solutions.

“All of the recycling for this community and Denali National Park are done through done through Valley Community (for) Recycling Solutions, so it’s great they’re here letting people know what they do,” said Rodwell.

Visitors also became a little more bear aware with a presentation from the Bear Necessities Coalition (BNC), learning about how to properly stash trash responsibly and how to live peacefully with the bears who are starting to emerge from hibernation.

“Education and getting the message out, helping our local community and businesses keep their garbage under wraps and how to navigate with our wild neighbors,” said Wendy Battino of BNC.

One of the highlights was the Nonprofit Fair, hosted by the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation, which brought together local non-profits to provide information and opportunities.

“It’s a great event, a great way for non-profits to share with the local community what they’re doing, what they need for volunteers. People have the opportunity to go in and chat with some of the non-profit board members,” said Rodwell.