GRIC celebrates Earth Day

May 6, 2016

Mikhail Sundust

Gila River Indian News

Every April 22, the people of this little blue planet set aside time to recognize the fragility of its existence and the beauty that surrounds our world.

The Department of Environmental Quality hosted its annual Earth Day event at the District 4 park this year. Hundreds of families, elders, and students from local schools filled the ramadas and enjoyed a fun day in the sun.

“I think what sets Gila River’s Earth Day celebration apart…is the cultural aspect that we’re trying to introduce and make a special part of the Earth Day event,” said Ondrea Barber, director of DEQ. “Residents of the Community have been here for thousands and thousands of years, so there’s a deeper tie to the land and the environment…a more special connection, and we’re hoping to incorporate that into the celebration here.”

The Arizona Game and Fish Department brought animals native to the Gila River Valley, including a desert tortoise, a gopher snake, Harris’s hawk, turkey vulture, gila monster, and more. All of the animals proudly displayed their names in English and O’otham.

At the event, 45 educational booths from various organizations taught visitors about environmental awareness.

You can learn more about Earth Day at www.gricdeq.org.