Give Mother Earth Some Sugar

Celebrating Mother Earth doesn’t have to come with patchouli and hemp handbags. Many South Florida locations are decking the halls with pine cones for Earth Day on Sunday. These events are just a few of the myriad celebrations occurring in Broward and Palm Beach counties. • Slough Slog Muddy Hiking at Secret Woods Nature Center: Pile the kids into hiking boots and drive them to Secret Woods Nature Center (2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach). Participants meet at the nature center, then drive to Pond Apple Slough for a trek through Broward County’s only remaining pond apple forest. The hike is scheduled for Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon and designed for children 9 and up. Cost is $6 per person. Call 954-357-8884. • Earth Day Every Day at Hugh Taylor Birch Park State Park: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) is throwing an Earth Day “party with a purpose.” Try planting some sea oats to restore sand dunes, nosh on organic and vegan foods, and even enter the free giveaway for your chance to win one of 100 native trees. The party rages from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, leaving more than enough time to rest up for your Slough Slog. Visit earthdayhughbirch.com. • Party for the Planet at the Palm Beach Zoo: Celebrate Mother Earth with your favorite furry friends at the Palm Beach Zoo (1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach). The “Party for the Planet” runs Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring the kids, and discover ways to tune into the environment and spark an effort for change. Visit palmbeachzoo.com, or call 561-533-0887.
Sun., April 22, 10 a.m., 2012