Remember the Gulf On Earth Day - What's Happening Across the Gulf

Across the Gulf Coast residents will pause to mark the second memorial/anniversary of the BP Oil Drilling Disaster and to remember the Gulf on Earth Day.  Below are some of the scheduled events.  
 
Thursday, April 19th

(LA) 4:00pm CST - 2 Years On: Assessing the Legacy of the BP Deepwater Horizon Tragedy - Location:  Tulane Law School, Weinmann Hall, Room 257, New Orleans, LA - Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy presents Dr. Don Boesch, BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Commissioner. 

(LA) 6:00pm CST - 7:00pm CST - Coastal Conversations - Location: The Presbytere, Louisiana State Museum, 751 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA - All are invited to attend this public program that supports the permanent exhibition Living With Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond. Panelists include Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director of the Gulf Restoration Network, Douglas Meffert (moderator) Executive Director / Vice President Audubon Louisiana / National Audubon Society, Michael J. Blum Arnold Early Career Professor in Earth and Ecological Science Dept of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Tulane University.  

Friday, April 20th

(LA) 8:00am CST - Two Year Memorial Press Conference - Location: Hale Boggs Federal Building 500 Poydras Ave., New Orleans, LA - The oil disaster continues to impact Gulf communities and ecosystems, and support is still needed to restore the Gulf. Speakers from organizations in the Gulf Future Coalition will rate the progress towards a full and fair recovery and provide updates on emerging science regarding the oil disaster and stories of on-going impacts to coastal communities. The Gulf Future Report Card will be released at these press conferences. For more information, please contact Dan Favre, dan@healthygulf.org.

(LA) 9:00am CST - 2:00pm CST - Remember, Resolve, Restore - Location: Grand Isle Community Center, Grand Isle, LA - Everyone is invited to a meeting downstairs at the Grand Isle Community Center to hear updates on the present health of the Gulf and the environment. After the meeting there will be a prayer circle held on the beach in memory of all that's been lost and all that is still being lost. Afterward, anyone interested in planting marsh grass will meet on Elmers Island at 2:00pm. All denominations are welcome. For more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/362044860504232/.

(LA) 9:30am CST - Release of My Heart Is Tied Up in This Place: Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Plaquemines Parish’s Local Businesses - Location: Southeast Louisiana Fisheries Assistance Center Regions Bank building, 8018 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse, LA - The Urban Conservancy is releasing their report My Heart Is Tied Up in This Place: Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Plaquemines Parish’s Local Businesses. All are welcome to attend.

(MS) 10:00am CST - Two Year Memorial of the Ongoing BP Oil Disaster Biloxi Press Conference, Progress Report Release and Update - Location: Lighthouse Fishing Dock, north end of Lee Street, Biloxi, MS (just north of the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Lee Street) - Join us to mark the 2 year anniversary of the BP drilling disaster. The oil disaster continues to impact Gulf communities and ecosystems, and support is still needed to restore the Gulf. Speakers from organizations in the Gulf Future Coalition will rate the progress towards a full and fair recovery and provide updates on emerging science regarding the oil disaster and stories of on-going impacts to coastal communities. For more information, contact Raleigh Hoke at Raleigh@healthygulf.org or 504-525-1528, ext. 204.

(LA) 11:00am CST - BP is Creepy Charivari - Location: Duncan Plaza, New Orleans, LA - From NO (New Orleans) 99% Spring, "Your participation is requested in a 99% Spring "BP is Creepy" charivari against BP and congressional delegates on the second anniversary of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon. The title of this charivari is from the Kinsey Sicks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C90DVNVORw. Come as an individual or as part of an affinity group or organization, with signs, props, noisemakers, and in costume, if possible. We'll converge at Duncan Plaza and from there, the charivari will symbolically call on BP at the former site of the Unified Command Center, at the corner of Poydras and Loyola, and proceed to the federal building. Gather your friends and allies to join in the serious mirth. Remember, it's better to give a headache than to receive one!" For more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/399956220029736/.

(AL) 11:00am CST - 2:00pm CST - Springhill Medical Center Earth Day - Location: Springhill Medical Center, 3719 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL - Springhill Medical Center will host an Earth Day Environmental Fair. For more information, please contact Terri McGhee at (251) 460-5264.

(LA) 1:00pm CST - SoulFire4The Gulf All Nations Drum Circle & Second Line - Location: Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, Henriette Delille & St. Phillips Entrance, New Orleans, LA - The Drum Circle begins at 1pm, followed by a Second Line at 4pm. SoulFire4TheGulf will culminate with a Second Line, as it is very important to Dr. John to bring the prayer down into the Crescent City and to release some of the ceremonial ashes into the Mississippi River, giving them a send off with music and prayer in TRUE New Orleans style and flavor. For more information, please go to http://www.turtlewomenrising.com/stand-for-the-earth-soulfire4thegulf/.

(FL) 3:00pm EST - Two Year Memorial Press Conference - Location: Demens Landing, 400 1st Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL - The oil disaster continues to impact Gulf communities and ecosystems, and support is still needed to restore the Gulf. Speakers from organizations in the Gulf Future Coalition will rate the progress towards a full and fair recovery and provide updates on emerging science regarding the oil disaster and stories of on-going impacts to coastal communities. The Gulf Future Report Card will be released at these press conferences. For more information, please contact Jordan Macha at jordan.macha@sierraclub.org.

(LA) 5:30pm CST - Free Screening of The Big Fix - Location: 162 Croydon Ave., Baton Rouge, LA - Join LEAN and the Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper for a free outdoor screening of The Big Fix by Josh Tickell in the LEAN office backyard. For more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/379938908690990/.

(LA) 6:00pm CST - 9:00pm CST - Health of the Gulf Town Hall Meeting - Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, 2903 Jefferson Ave., New Orleans, LA - Scientists, doctors, fishermen, clean-up workers, and concerned coastal citizens will discuss health, science, and restoration efforts in the wake of BP's Oil Drilling Disaster. Scheduled speakers include Kindra Arnesen, Riki Ott, Aaron Viles, Antonia Juhasz, Cherri Foytlin, Dr. Mike Robichaux, Dean Blanchard, Drew Landry and children who are experiencing symptoms of oil-related exposure. All are invited and welcome to attend. For more information, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/207507516026863/.

Saturday, April 21st

 (MS) 8:30am CST - 11:30am CST - Celebrate Earth Day with MS Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Location:  Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Jackson County, MS - Celebrate Earth Day this year by helping us pick up litter along Bayou Heron during a leisurely, interpretive paddle adventure up and down the bayou. This FREE event is for tweens, teens, and adults. Pre-registration is required for this event, as we only have a limited number of kayaks. Those of you that have your own kayak or canoe are welcome to join as well! Clean up supplies will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Participants will get a little wet so be sure to bring a change of clothes. Water, sunscreen, bug spray and a hat are also recommended. Please wear closed-toed shoes. For more information, please go to www.grandbaynerr.org or contact Jennifer at 228.475.7047 or jen.buchanan@dmr.ms.gov.
 
(MS) 9:00am CST - 12:00pm CST - Free Stress Management for Those Effected by the BP Oil Disaster - MHA’s Classroom, 4803 Harrison Cir., Gulfport, MS - Mental Health Association of South Mississippi is offering free stress management workshops on Saturdays to all Mississippi Gulf Coast residents. Adult, Teen and Child Workshops are available. WRAP is an internationally recognized and accredited recovery model developed by Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland. This upbeat program is being used by people from all walks of life, of all ages, to help achieve the level of wellness that is important to them. The program helps participants to create an individual plan for wellness and recovery to help deal with difficult life struggles & challenges, set goals, and maintain a healthy life. Participants MUST pre-register by calling 2280864-6274 or by emailing melody@msmentalhealth.org. This program is funded by BP through the MS Dept. of Mental Health.

(FL) 10:00am CST - 5:00pm CST - 2012 Earth Day Tampa Bay - Location: USF Botanical Gardens (one block north of the corner of Fowler Ave. & Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL - The 2012 Earth Day Tampa Bay is being organized by the Tampa Bay Sierra Club and the University of South Florida's Office of Sustainability. The theme this year, "go native," is intended to promote the use of native plants in the urban landscape. The year 2012 will mark the 42nd Earth Day Tampa Bay celebration. This year's festival will feature exhibitors, demonstrations, arts and crafts, community groups, live music, food, and children's activities—all aimed to help Tampa Bay's residents create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. For more information, please go to http://usfweb2.usf.edu/Sustainability/earthday-2012/index.html.

(FL) 10:00am CST - 5:00pm CST - Earth Day Pensacola - Location: Bayview Park, 2001 East Lloyd Street, Pensacola, FL - Earth Day Pensacola is an annual event where the people of Northwest Florida get together to celebrate the Earth in a fun, family friendly atmosphere. There will be live music, a sustainable art show, food vendors, an expanded children’s area, a daylong lecture series, and many different information booths on how members of the Pensacola community can live more sustainably. For more information, please go to http://www.earthdaypensacola.org/about/.

(AL) 10:00am CST - 2:00pm CST - Discovery Day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab - This fun-filled family event includes a variety of environmentally-themed children’s activities; an Open House at the Research Facilities of the DISL where the public can interact with scientists and graduate students to explore their ongoing research projects; and free children’s admission to the Estuarium, the aquarium at the Sea Lab. For more information, please go to http://press.disl.org/3_14_12dday.htm.

(LA) 10:00am CST - 5:00pm CST - Live Earth Expo - Location: New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA - The Building Block and the New Orleans Healing Center present an all day program of food, music, art, events and demonstrations, designed to showcase the city’s resources for all things green. Explore New Orleans’ green businesses and organizations dedicated to preserving a sustainable culture and a healthy lifestyle. For more information, including a list of participants and ongoing, all day events, please go to http://www.thebuildingblock.com/earthday/live-earth-expo-programming/.

(LA) 1:00pm CST - 10:00pm CST - Honoring Mother Earth 2012 - Location: 130 Rue de Chene, Raceland, LA - View a screening of "My Louisiana Love", by Monique Verdin, Listen to "Voices of the Gulf" testimonials, make a traditional blowgun, learn how you can do your part to heal Mother Earth and learn how medicinal plants were used for healing. For more information, please go to http://www.bayouhealers.org/Home.html.

(LA) 3:00pm CST - Making BP Pay 2 Years After Gulf Oil Spill Began - Location: Maple Street Book Shop at the Healing Center - 2372 Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA - April 20 is the 2 year anniversary of the start of the second largest oil spill in world history. April 22 is Earth Day. As settlement negotiations swarm, join Antonia Juhasz, Keith Jones (whose son, Gordon, died on the Deepwater Horizon) and Gulf Restoration Network for a discussion of how to bring justice, restoration, recovery, and restitution in the wake of the largest environmental crime in U.S. history and to how to ensure such a disaster never occurs again. For more information, please go to http://www.maplestreetbookshop.com/pages/view/279/279/Events or https://www.facebook.com/events/366139663425131/.

Sunday, April 22nd

(LA) 9:00am CST - 7:30pm CST - 2012 New Orleans Earth Day Festival and Green Business Expo - Location: Bayou St. John, Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA - Brought to you by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and other sponsors, the New Orleans Earth Day Festival & Green Business Expo is the only event in the area focused exclusively on engaging the local community, environmental organizations and businesses around environmental sustainability. This fun-filled event includes musical performances by Cyril Neville, The Stooges Brass Band, FlowTribe, Debauche, and more. Celebrate the Earth and a greener Louisiana with great music, youth activities, art installations, food, beer, crafts, green business’, and non-profit vendors. For more information please visit www.labucketbrigade.org.

(AL) 10:00am CST - 7:00pm CST - Earth Day Mobile Bay 2012 - Location: Fairhope Pier Park, Fairhope, AL - The Mobile Bay area celebration of Earth Day is inspired by the worldwide Earth Day Network, which promotes environmental citizenship and steers environmental awareness around the world. All who respect our natural resources and the environment and who work for Green solutions to protect the Earth are welcome to exhibit and /or help. Planned are environmental displays and exhibits, educational activities for children and adults, plus great live music and activities! Free Fun for the entire family! Bring computers, old TV's, other electronics and other items for recycling. The Environmental Film Festival, hosted by the Mobile Bay Sierra Club, will be under the big tent. Admission is free, and popcorn is complimentary

10:00 a.m. The Last Mountain 95 minutes
11:40 a.m. Revenge of the Electric Car 90 minutes
1:10 p.m. Gasland 106 minutes
3:00 p.m. The Big Fix 90 minutes
4:30 p.m. Freedom 90 minutes
6:00 p.m. One Day on Earth 60 minutes

For more information on the celebration, please go to http://www.earthdaymobilebay.org/.

(AL) 11:00am CST - 2:00pm CST - Downtown Mobile Alliance's Picnic for the Planet - Location: Bienville Square, Mobile, AL - The Downtown Mobile Alliance is hosting an Earth Day Picnic. Join them to celebrate Earth Day and break a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive picnics. For more information, please contact Valerie Kleinschmidt at (251) 434-8498.

(TX) 1:00pm CST - 5:00pm CST - Galveston Baykeeper Art Auction - Location: 420 Kirby Dr., Taylor Lake Village, TX - Galveston Baykeeper invites you to a quiet waterfront Art Auction, with solo artists Janet Z. and Ryan Guidry performing, wine and cheese outside, on a wide lawn. Local artists have donated oils, watercolors, framed photographs, and other medium that reflect the beauty that surrounds us. If you are an artist and want to donate please contact Natalie O’Neill at 281-216-8755. For more information and to view auction items, please go to http://galvestonbaykeeper.org/home/art_auction_2012. 

Karen Savage teaches middle school math in the Boston Public Schools.  She began volunteering in Mississippi's Turkey Creek community nearly ten years ago, and now volunteers for Bridge the Gulf, the Gulf Coast Fund, Gulf Change, Turkey Creek Community Initiatives and the Gulf Restoration Network.