EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE ROYAL SASKATCHEWAN MUSEUM

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority are honouring Earth Day with a number of activities this weekend.

"Earth Day reflects our interest in sustainability and our commitment to inspire an appreciation and understanding of our world," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "It is an important opportunity to consider the importance of preserving our natural environment as we work to build a green and prosperous economy."

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum will begin celebrations by planting a tree in memory of Les Goforth of Regina, who was a leading member in the creation of the First Nations Gallery at the Museum. Goforth remained a patron of the Museum until his passing in the spring of 2001. He is especially remembered for his involvement in the creation of the traditional dancer exhibit in the First Nations Gallery.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority's Earth Day Centennial Year 2005 Conference on Friday evening and all day Saturday, celebrates the contributions of the many educators who have been offering Project WET and Project WILD environmental education workshops to their colleagues.

"Education is crucial to protecting our ecosystems and the work of teachers is fundamental," Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority David Forbes said. "That is why the Watershed Authority is the lead agency for water and environmental programs like Project WET and Project WILD that support Saskatchewan's Core Curriculum."

Featured speakers during the two days include Saskatchewan's award-winning author, Dr. Sharon Butala, and internationally recognized environmental education researchers Dr. Luba Mycio-Mommers with the Canadian Wildlife Federation in Ottawa, and Dr. Paul Hart with the Faculty of Education, University of Regina. Dr. Don Waite, research scientist and music educator, will premiere his Saskatchewan Suite in an evening performance Friday, April 22nd.

Saturday, April 23rd date will see the Grade Four Class from George Lee School in Regina performing the environmental play "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Slough" by Don Waite. In the afternoon, the educators will be involved in field workshops including wetlands health assessment, native prairie restoration, and birding in Wascana. Special tours of the First Nations Gallery, the Life Sciences Gallery at the Museum and the First Nations University of Canada will look at prairie ecosystems past, present and future.

Then on Saturday, April 23rd, the Museum is hosting a variety of family-related Earth Day events, including a resource fair, games, crafts and an opportunity to view the latest line of environmentally friendly vehicles.

Earth Day, which is commemorated each April 22nd, began in 1970. The goal was to raise awareness about humanity's growing ecological footprint and to stimulate positive actions aimed at local, regional and global issues. Earth Day is now the largest, most celebrated environmental event in the world, involving 500 million people in over 180 countries. More than six million Canadians, including nearly every school child, take part in Earth Day.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Lizabeth Nicholls Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Regina Phone: (306) 787-5242

Penny Pedersen Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-2850