Go.See.Do: Earth Day 2013

With Earth Day just around the corner, area organizations are gearing up their acts of green.

Here’s a look at environmental-friendly event offerings the next two weekends in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Saturday, April 13

Community GardenFest

8 a.m.-4 p.m. The San Clemente Garden Club hosts the GardenFest at the SC Community Center featuring plant sales, flea market, floral design competitions, educational info and much more. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.498.2335, www.sanclementegardenclub.com.

Doheny State Beach Earth Day Native Planting Project

9 a.m.-11 a.m. Join volunteers at Doheny State Beach to help plant an assortment of native plants, shrubs and trees around the park. Bring a shovel and working gloves, if available. Upon entry to the park, let the gate guard know that you are volunteering. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, www.dohenystatebeach.org.

16th Annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Volunteer at San Clemente State Beach or Doheny State Beach for the California State Parks Foundation’s annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup. More info and registration is available by phone or online. 225 West Calafia Avenue, San Clemente, and, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 888.987.2757, www.calparks.org/earthday.

Community Recycling Event at Dana Hills High School

9 a.m.-11 a.m. Drop off plastic bottles and aluminum cans (no glass please) in the back parking lot of Dana Hills High School near the tennis courts and pool area for students from the school’s chapter of the California Scholastic Federation to collect and sort. Funds collected are distributed by the school’s PTSA for student programs. Rain or shine. 33333 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point, www.dhhs.net.

Document Shredding

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Onsite document shredding, for $5 per file box. Proceeds benefit San Clemente Library. San Clemente High School parking lot, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente. Email scfotl@gmail.com for more information.

We Are Earth Day Festival

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join The Ecology Center’s 5th annual Earth Day celebration with live music, fresh local food, eco-activities, the annual spring seedling sale and more. Free admission. 32701 Alipaz St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.443.4223, www.theecologycenter.org.

Thursday, April 18

Earth Day Fair

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Eleventh annual public education and outreach effort at the SJC Community Center Gymnasium with hands-on displays, environmental games, giveaways and more. Exhibitors include the Ocean Institute, Goodwill of Orange County, Green Castles, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. Call or email environment@sanjuancapistrano.org for more information. 25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.4413 www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

Saturday, April 20

Doheny State Beach Mother Earth Beach, Creek, Park Cleanup

9 a.m.-11 a.m. Volunteer to help clean up Doheny State Beach, park and San Juan Creek. Bring work gloves. Meet at Lifeguard Headquarters. Upon entry to the park, let the gate guards know that you are volunteering. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.6172, vwiker@parks.ca.gov, www.dohenystatebeach.org.

Free Community Shred Day

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free document shredding with certificate of destruction available at the Monarch Bay Plaza parking lot by a licensed, bonded and insured cross-cut shredder. For more information, call or email beth@cagneyenterprises.com. 32920 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point, 760.436.1188.

E-Waste and Shredding Event

8 a.m.-noon. The city of San Juan Capistrano and Goodwill offer free electronic waste disposal and document shredding. Dispose of old cell phones, computers, printers, TVs, microwaves and more at City Hall. Large appliances, batteries, oils, solvents, tires and other household hazardous waste will not be accepted. Goodwill will collect documents in a lock box and transport to a secure shredding facility. 32400 Paseo Adelanto, 949.234.4413, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.

E-Waste Fundraiser

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shorecliffs Middle School PTA hosts a free e-waste disposal in the school’s vista Hermosa parking lot only. 240 Via Socorro, San Clemente. For information, email smsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

Ritz-Carlton Earth Day Celebration

10 a.m.-noon. Meet at Salt Creek Beach for a volunteer cleanup event. Supplies provided. 33333 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. The hotel will also be hosting a free Eco-Adventure Garden Tour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. showcasing sustainable gardening practices and indigenous flora and fauna in the resort’s organic garden. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive,
Dana Point, 949.240.5020, www.ritzcarlton.com.

Sunday, April 21

Ocean Institute Earth Day

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore marine wildlife and create eco-friendly crafts. Admission is $6.50 for adults (13 and over) and $4.50 for children (3-12); Children 2 and under and members are free. Volunteer for the beach/harbor cleanup from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and receive free admission. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, www.ocean-institute.org.

Earth Day at Panhe

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Native American celebration at Panhe, the historic village and sacred ceremonial site of the Acjachemen/Juaneno people. Event features singers, dancers, storytelling, food, music, artisans, vendors and more. Free off-site parking and shuttle available at Concordia Elementary. Free admission. San Mateo Campground, San Onofre State Beach. Visit www.sanofoundation.org for more information and directions.

UPCOMING:

Saturday, May 11

Harbor Underwater Cleanup

8 a.m.-noon. OC Dana Point Harbor’s semi-annual Underwater Cleanup. Approximately 60 divers will remove debris from the Harbor floor. Participants receive an event T-shirt, food and beverages. Prizes will be awarded for most unusual items recovered. Participating divers must have current open water or equivalent certification (PADI, NAUI or equivalent) and parental consent if under 18. For more or to volunteer, call 949.493.6222 or see www.dphunderwatercleanup.com.