Things have not gotten better for the Earth and its creatures since the first-ever Earth Day celebration in 1970, but the fight for environmental health continues. Next week, from April 25th through 27th, Norfolk will host its second Earth Day Forum focusing on “Our Glorious Northwest Corner: Celebrating the Connectedness of All.”
The three-day, eight-event, forum, initiated in 2024 by Norfolk’s Church of Christ Congregational, offers activities that bring together experts, artists and community members to address biodiversity challenges facing this region.
The Hub is hosting an exhibition, “Imperiled Species in Our Community: The Biodiversity Crisis at Home,” on view at the Norfolk Hub through April 30th. The exhibit, on loan from the Salisbury Association, focuses on local endangered species.
Forum festivities officially begin Friday, April 25, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Hub with an opening reception and lecture by Tim Abbott, conservation director of the Housatonic Valley Association. The evening continues from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Library with a screening of “A Road Not Taken,” a documentary on Jimmy Carter’s solar energy initiatives.
Nature enthusiasts can participate in three events on Saturday, April 26. A Books & Boots nature walk, inspired by Peter Wohlleben’s “The Hidden Life of Trees,” 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., will be led by Bina Thomson and Hartley Mead to explore the lives of trees in the South Norfolk Woodlands, 220 Bruey Rd.
At 1:00 p.m., Dr. Mike Zarfos, executive director of Great Mountain Forest, will lead a Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers Walk to observe ephemerals such as trillium and bloodroot emerging from the forest floor. Participants should meet at the Chestnut Grove, Undermountain Road, Falls Village.
Finally, at 4:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Library, Craig Repasz from Lights Out Connecticut will describe the Connecticut Bird Atlas project and the urgent need for bird conservation.
On Sunday, April 27, families can create toad houses, followed by a program on reptiles and amphibians, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Library.
The weekend concludes with Paul Winter’s concert, “This Glorious Earth,” at the Church of Christ from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Visit norfolkhub.org/norfolk-earth-forum for more information and registration details.