Reuse-Reduce-Recycle

This April 22nd Earth Day will take place after 40 years of inspiring people to live with an eye towards the environment. This year's theme, a Billion Acts of Green, will emphasize the power of millions of people acting in their own individual ways to better the way we take care of our natural surroundings and take personal responsibility towards maintaining the health of our planet.

Locally, events are shaping up that touch upon recycling and thinking green. Pick one to slate on your calendar and do your part to devote the day to the recollection that we are all on this earth together.

S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, the recyclable museum of the desert, is partnering up with The Green Zone in Palm Desert to offer an evening of art. From 6-7 p.m., guests can enjoy a SCRAPPY hour of food and drink, peruse an exhibition by local artists expounding upon Earth Day concepts, as well as an exhibition called BUGGED, and bid on silent auction items with proceeds going to S.C.R.A.P. Gallery. At 7 p.m., the film  "Carbon Nation" will be premiered. The Green Zone is located at 75181 Mediterranean Ave. in Palm Desert.

Earth Through a Lens is a national juried art exhibition that runs through April 30 at both the Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs and the Rancho Mirage Public Library. The works explore two themes: Our natural environment and human impact on the planet.

Desert EcoEvents and the Natural Science Collaborative are producing the second annual charity Earth Day event, Desert EcoFest@Aqua Soleil, at the Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa in Desert Hot Springs this year. Art, speakers and a concert will be featured and tickets can be purchased here.

If you want to spend the day doing something with the family, visit Earth Day.org to find a list of ideas and activities.