Celebrate Earth Day at McKinney Roughs Nature Park during a free festival with hands-on outdoor activities for children and adults on Saturday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Race solar model cars, take nature hikes, and learn about energy, land and water conservation through hands-on activity stations. Visitors also can listen to nature series speakers, learn the seven principles of Leave No Trace through an interactive tent maze, and enjoy music by Rattle Tree Marimba, tasty food and a green marketplace with merchants of natural and Earth-friendly products.

The 1,100-acre McKinney Roughs Nature Park is located on State Highway 71 about 13 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport or 8.4 miles west of Bastrop on the north side of the highway.

Guided hikes will take place at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. At Home in Nature speaker topics will include Backyard Birds and Butterflies, Do-it-Yourself Pond Construction, Living With the Houston Toad, and Gardening With Native Plants.

The McKinney Roughs Earth Day Festival is part of Austin Nature Days, a month-long campaign aimed at celebrating the beauty, vitality and diversity of Central Texas natural resources. The campaign is a collaborative effort of more than 20 nature organizations to offer opportunities for individuals and families to experience and enjoy Austin’s open spaces and natural places.

Stargazing will take place the evening before the Earth Day festival. Stargazing at the Roughs will be Friday, April 16, from 9:30 to 11 p.m. The program is free and open to all ages.

For a full description of activities and a complete schedule of events, visit the Earth Day Festival Web site at www.lcra.org/earthdayfestival,or call (512) 303-5073.