National Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This special day, traditionally celebrated on April 22, is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth environment and foster ways to combat pollution and other environmental problems.

LCRA will again celebrate Earth Day with our seventh annual festival at McKinney Roughs Nature Park that promises fun for the whole family Saturday, April 14, 2012.

Events will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. McKinney Roughs is a 1,100-acre nature park located on State Highway 71 about 13 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on the westbound side. The park entrance is 8.4 miles west of Bastrop. [Map]

Activities for the free festival will include guided hikes through pine forests, wildflowers, and small pocket prairies. Participants also can take part in nature crafts, or learn about energy, land, and water conservation through hands-on activity stations and demonstrations. Adults can delve into the natural world during one of the Walk and Talk Nature Workshops while the kids enjoy touching live animals native to the Colorado River. There will also be plenty of tasty food to enjoy while listening to live music.

While at the festival, kids can take part in the Passport to Nature Challenge. After receiving their "passport" at an information station, they can earn a patch for completing select activities throughout the park. The Passport will guide the kids through each of our three "zones" at the festival- Land Stewardship, Water Stewardship and Alternative Energy.

Put your observation skills to the test with the Digital Nature Scavenger Hunt.  A new addition to the festival this year,  participants need to bring  their own digital camera, register their team (or themselves) at the scavenger hunt table at the festival and get a list. The hunt can be done throughout the day while enjoying the rest of the festival. Pictures will be uploaded to the web and prizes will be awarded for creativity and completeness.

Other programs offered during the month of April in celebration of Earth Day are:

Earth Day Kayak Trip	Earth Day Family Raft Trip
Sat., April 14   9-11 a.m. $20 per person Adults, children 14+ in solo boats; children 10-13 in tandem boat with adult Learn to kayak and enjoy a serene and refreshing morning on the Colorado River. Traveling along this quiet waterway gives you ample time to enjoy the scenic views and waterfowl of this Central Texas ecosystem while learning to kayak. At this promotional price (this is regularly a $50 trip), this trip is a great opportunity for people interested in trying a new sport. Advance registration required. Space is limited.	Sat., April 14   1-3 p.m. $20 per person, adults and children 7 and up After exploring McKinney Roughs' Earth Day festival, relax on a guided raft trip down a 2.5-mile stretch of the Texas Colorado River near McKinney Roughs. Enjoy the river's serene beauty while learning about its natural history, flora and fauna. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration required. Space is limited.

REGISTRATION FOR THESE PROGRAMS WILL BEGIN MARCH 2012.
Register for these programs online on the McKinney Roughs community programs webpage. 
Note: Registration is not required for the Earth Day Festival or Stargazing at the Roughs.