The City of Kirkland is joining more than one billion people worldwide in officially supporting Earth Day 2012 and is encouraging its residents and businesses participate in local events.

The Earth Day Network, a world leader in the environmental movement, seeks to reach its goal of one billion acts of green as it celebrates the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day (www.earthday.org).

The City of Kirkland’s Green Team and the Green Kirkland Partnership invite the community to attend one, some, or all of the following events being held as part of Earth Day, which is officially recognized annually on April 22:

• Volunteer! The Green Kirkland Partnership Earth Day event will run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 21 at Juanita Bay Park, 2201 Market St.  Earth Corps and Native Plant Steward volunteers will lead activities to remove invasive plants and spread wood chip mulch. Sign up online at www.earthcorps.org.

• Recycle! This City of Kirkland residential recycling collection event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at Houghton Park and Ride, N.E.70th and 116th N.E. Safely recycle items that normally cannot be collected curbside or recycled readily through product stewardship program. Find event information at www.kirklandwa.gov/recycle.

• Get uutside! The Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) has teamed with Let’s G.O.!, (“Get Outside”) a youth-inspired, youth-led Children & Nature Network initiative to learn about the natural environment along the trails in Juanita Woodlands Park from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.  In addition, FHNA will host a clean-up party on the same day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help tidy up areas with recently-planted trees. Meet at 76th Avenue NE and NE 120th.

• Calculate your carbon footprint! Use the carbon footprint calculator to see what carbon dioxide emissions you give out at a particular time and how you can reduce the emission. Find the calculator at www.kirklandwa.gov/kirklandgreen.

• Learn gardening! The Cascade Water Alliance is hosting gardening classes throughout King County from April to June. One classes will be held at Kirkland City Hall: Wednesday, April 25, 6:30-8 p.m., “Sustainable Veggie Gardening.” Visit www.cascadewater.org for a full schedule.

The Green Kirkland Partnership is hosting restoration events on Saturday, April 28. For more information, go to www.greenkirkland.org.