For Hannah Ascough, the public outreach project officer for Ecology North, this year’s Earth Week will be one for the books.
It’s her first one as part of the organization.
“I’m incredibly excited,” she said. “I think that it’s a great opportunity for people to embrace to coming of spring, to get outside after the winter, and think about the environment in ways you might not think about it.”
Earth Week 2024 kicks off on Sunday, a full 24 hours sooner than actual Earth Day, Ascough said, and she highlighted some events to look forward to.
“One of the things we’re doing on Tuesday is a reclaiming art night with Northern Mosaic Network and artist Diane Boudreau,” she said. “We’re going to be repainting plywood birds and talking about allyships.”
Ascough also highlighted the annual coffee house happening April 27 with live music from Miranda Currie and Ryan McCord, as well as a bake sale with Mildred Hall students.
Earth Week has its perks, Ascough added, even for those who might not be engaged with the enviorment. At the same time, she said it also highlights the hard work Yellowknife’s community is already doing.
“We’re able to amplify and valourize the work other organizations are doing and link it to the environment in ways you might not expect,” she said. “I think that’s a really important part of environmental stewardship and of celebrating our planet.”
Ascough also stressed how important it is finding the right balance between entertainment and education for these events.
“You want people to be educated and to understand what’s happening and at the same time, you want to give people spaces where they can be in nature and celebrate the planet and celebrate their relationships to the land and to one another,” she said.
No matter the day, time or weather, for Ascough and the rest of team at Ecology North, every day is a day to celebrate Earth.
“Even if people can’t make it to any of our events, it’s still important they celebrate the earth in their own way,” she said. “We’re encouraging people to enjoy the fresh air, see their families, get outside.”