Residents of Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen participate in a picnic in 2011 as part of The Nature Conservancy's effort to connect people to nature through food. (courtesy photo - click to enlarge)
From Staff Reports
JACKSON, WYO. — Jackson Hole residents will get a chance to help set a world record for the biggest picnic in history on Earth Day, as a local group joins others around the globe holding a special “Picnic for the Planet.”
Groups organizing the event to raise awareness about environmental issues say the effort is aimed at connecting people through the food they love.
The Nature Conservancy, Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition and Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival are sponsoring the Jackson Hole Earth Day Picnic for the Planet at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts. The picnic will run from 12-4 p.m. Sunday at the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts, 265 Cache Street in Jackson.
“The Center is a perfect location for this event as it is dedicated to creativity and education,” said Lisa Lord Price, Yellowstone outreach manager for The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming. “On Earth Day, we want to engage our community, especially our younger generations, and educate them about our special environment here in Jackson, as well as around the world.”
Picnics organized by The Nature Conservancy groups around the globe will celebrate the role nature plays in daily life by reminding people to stop and take a few minutes to enjoy being outside and sharing a meal with their families and friends.
Event organizers encourage attendees to bring a picnic lunch complete with locally grown products. There will also be entertainment for all ages—from music to hands-on, interactive lessons for the whole family. These lessons will cover a range of topics, including: art, wildlife, water and wild lands, and energy and recycling. This community event is designed to get people excited about the outdoors and learn more about their connections with nature and the benefits it provides.
“We are excited about the diverse group of organizations and activities offered. All aspects of our local environment will be well represented,” said Alicia Cox, program coordinator for Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition.
At 4 p.m., there will be a premiere screening of “One Day on Earth,” a unique video time capsule created from footage captured from participants around the world during the 24-hour period of October 10, 2010.
“This project has inspired participation from every country on Earth, with several contributions from Jackson Hole,” said Lisa Samford, executive director for the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. “We are thrilled to be part of its global Earth Day screening event!”
The Nature Conservancy launched Picnic for the Planet in 2011 to nurture people’s connection to the planet and the food it provides. Last year’s Picnic saw thousands of people joining more than 600 picnics in 61 countries on all seven continents. Picnic for the Planet is part of The Nature Conservancy’s All Hands on Earth campaign which aims to build an active, global community for the environment and provide everyday ways for people to get involved in creating a healthier Earth.
Contact Yellowstone Gate at 307-213-9818 or info@yellowstonegate.com.