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Politics & Government

You Can't Spell Sustainability Without Albany

April is Earth Month, the perfect time to kick off a new column from the city's Sustainability Committee.

What better time to kick off a monthly Albany Patch than April, or Earth Month?

Spring is here, and we hope you will celebrate Earth Month by planting a Bay-friendly garden or trees. You can do this at home or by .

A Bay-friendly garden can provide a beautiful, low-maintenance yard that requires little water. The Bay-Friendly Landscaping and Gardening website has extensive resources on what to plant, where to plant, and when; information about composting; how to “lose your lawn”; and other helpful hints. 

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According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees can add value to your home, help cool your home and neighborhood, break cold winds to lower your heating costs and provide food for wildlife. In our mild and sunny climate, trees can also bear a variety of delicious fresh fruit. 

To get hands-on horticultural experience, you can join Albany's urban forester, , and learn about plants, weeds, pruning and trees as you help keep Albany's parks, medians and other landscaped areas looking tidy. His next event is at . For more information, contact Chelle Putzer at 510-559-7218 or cputzer@albanyca.org.

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April features two major environmental celebrations: Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 29). To celebrate Earth Day, Albany is having a on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the foot of Buchanan Street; for more information, visit .

Friday, April 22, will mark the second annual Earth Day walk with Susan Schwartz () and Corrina Gould (Chochenyo-Ohlone). It starts at 6 p.m. at Peet's Coffee and Tea at Carlson and San Pablo. Bring a stick if you use one, long sleeves and pants, and stout shoes for walking on . 

There is also an Earth Day celebration in Berkeley on April 23.

Early May also contains some notable events. Mark your calendars:

  • will be held Sunday, May 1, at Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will feature live music, art activities, booths where artists will display and sell their work, and exhibitors sharing information about activities of local environmental and green action groups, green products and all the things you can do to make Albany . 
  • The opening of Albany’s will be Wednesday, May 4, from 3 to 7 p.m. This weekly event will be held on the block of Solano between Adams Street and San Pablo Avenue. 
  • The Citywide Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 14, at a curbside near you.

’s monthly column for Albany Patch is written on behalf of the city of Albany’s . The column is intended to provide information and resources for local residents and businesses to improve their impacts on the environment in a cost-effective manner.

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