Earth Week activities planned

The city of Bainbridge Island has a trio of events planned to fit with this year’s Earth Day theme, “It’s Our Turn to Lead.”

The city of Bainbridge Island has a trio of events planned to fit with this year’s Earth Day theme, “It’s Our Turn to Lead.”

The city will  host three events next week, including a Ride the Bus Day, an Earth Day Celebration and Solar Panel Dedication and the Community Earth Day at the farmers market.

Earth Week events will kick-off on Tuesday, April 21, with Ride the Bus Day.

City staff will be passing out information about the Dial-a-Ride bus service BI Ride on April 22 in front of the Town & Country Market. The city is also encouraging Bainbridge Islanders to post a selfie while riding the bus using #birides.

The festivities will continue on Wednesday, April 22 with an Earth Day Celebration and Solar Panel Dedication at Waterfront Park Community Center from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The city and Puget Sound Energy are also inviting islanders to join in celebrating the new 5kw solar system on the Waterfront Park Community Center. The panels were made possible through the work of Bainbridge Island residents encouraging their friends and neighbors to sign-up for Green Power.

In addition to the celebration, attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about incentives and financing available to make energy efficiency upgrades or to add solar on their own homes. Representatives from A&R Solar and Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union will be onsite to educate and answer questions. For more information on the Green Power program visit https://pse.com/savingsandenergycenter/GreenPower/Pages/For-Homes.aspx.

Finally, on Saturday, April 25 the city is joining other local nonprofits to celebrate Earth Day at the farmers market.

City staff will be available to discuss water conservation for home, business and landscaping, as well as how to have a bee-friendly yard and garden. Attendees can also participate in a short quiz for the opportunity to win bee-friendly plants that have been generously donated by Bay Hay & Feed.