<p>The Pacific Coast Light and Power team, from left, Rick Schimelpfenig, Bob Bogar, Josh Davis and Jason Knott, stand at the base of Knott's wind generator in Long Beach, Wash. Submitted photo by Lee Knott.</p>

Some folks think giving Mother Earth only one day a year is hardly fair. That may be why the Earth Day Committee of Cannon Beach decided to set aside a full 12 days to celebrate. Not only that, but they have enlisted the tufted puffins to help out.

The Twelve Days of Earth Day at Cannon Beach began April 11, but youre not too late to take advantage of the fun. The main feature is welcoming the puffins back to their nesting sites on Haystack Rock there will be puffin viewing stations on the beach, as conditions permit, set up by Haystack Rock Awareness Program volunteers throughout the festival but there are other exciting events as well.

Twelve Days of Earth Day

In addition to plenty of opportunities to view and learn about the beloved Haystack Rock puffin colony, Thursday, April 19, features photographs by naturalists Neal Maine and Michael Wing of PacificLight Images and a special presentation on conservation areas in Oregon state forests by fishing guide Bob Rees. Friday, April 20, brings the Gaylord Nelson Potluck and Award Ceremony for Best Cannon Beach Trail Photo and a slide presentation by Oregon Department of Energy representative Diana Enright.

The weekend of April 21-22 opens with a gathering on the beach at Haystack Rock, followed by sun salutations at the Community Hall led by yoga instructor Christen Allsop. Then be ready for family-friendly hikes and information on another group of feathery friends a talk on red-winged blackbirds by naturalist Neal Maine at Little Pompey Wetlands. For a complete schedule, see http://www.twelvedaysofearthday.com/Schedule.html

Long Beach Peninsula

On the surf side of Long Beach Peninsula, the GrassRoots Garbage Gang has scheduled a beach cleanup to coincide with Earth Day weekend. Meet at any of the beach access points at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 21, to get a cleanup bag and instructions. The Garbage Gangs cleanups are legendary. Come and bring the whole family to help rid the beach of plastic, odd marine garbage and the occasional sofa. For more information, see www.ourbeach.org

Extending Earth Day even longer, the Lost Roo Restaurant (1700 S. Pacific Ave. in Long Beach, Wash.) will be sponsoring a dinner, silent auction, raffle, information booths and a fundraiser for beach cleanup efforts from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.

If turf is more your thing, you might add to your Earth Day doings the Edible Landscapes, Permaculture and Garden Planning workshop taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Long Beach Grange Hall (5715 Sandridge Road in Long Beach). Whether you have five acres or a 200-square-foot balcony, Lee Knott, with nine years of permaculture experience, will discuss the varieties of edible/usable food plants and suggest a plan for sustainable plantings for your space. The class is free for Grange members, $5 for nonmembers. For more information, call (360) 642-4953.

Got alternative energy?

If youre really serious about giving Mother Earth a break and youre ready to dive into alternative energy for your home or business, take a look at the powerhouse business a quartet of young entrepreneurs has put together Pacific Coast Light and Power. Jason Knott built a green house with eco-friendly materials, alternative energy, reused materials and many other aspects of an energy-efficient home. Since he spent two years wading through the research, building codes and rebate information for his family, he figured, Why not make this expertise available for others? So Knott rounded up a posse of experts to create a full-service alternative energy team: Rick Schimelpfenig, Josh Davis and Bob Bogar handle all aspects of permitting, equipment selection, installation and rebates. Check them out at http://pclightandpower.com

Whatever you choose to do for Earth Day, be sure to give a tip of the hat to the amazing natural ecosystems here on the North Coast.