Woodlands are wonderful places at all times of the year and the spring season is an especially beautiful time to get out and enjoy nature. The numbers of migratory birds continue to grow almost daily and there is lots of activity in the forest. In celebration of Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, staff of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will be hosting a volunteer afternoon on the Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

Many people have asked about how they can help with both the work of the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project and generally do something good for the environment. Starting at 1pm, Eric Edward and the staff of Macphail Woods will welcome volunteers to the Macphail Woods property. Volunteers will be helping with plantings, pruning and trail maintenance, and participants of all ages are welcome.

This event will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the work that is done through the Macphail Woods project, including forest restoration and conservation.

Since it began in 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world for all of us. There are many ways you can get involved. Volunteer. Go to a festival. Install solar panels on your roof. Organize an event where you live. Change a habit. Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your elected epresentatives. The possibilities are endless! Do something nice for the earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.

Over the past years, hundreds of people have taken part in the walks and workshops at Macphail Woods and become more observant of the natural world around them. This Earth Day event is part of an extensive series of outdoor activities at Macphail Woods, a project of the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island and the Sir Andrew Macphail Foundation. For more information on this or upcoming tours and workshops, please call 651-2575 or check out the website (www.macphailwoods.org).