SANTA YNEZ, CA – The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Environmental Department will host its annual free Chumash Earth Day event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Kitiyepumu’ Park, located on the reservation at 100 Via Juana Road in Santa Ynez.
The zero-waste event will feature family-fun activities for all ages, including arts and crafts, a raffle, special appearances by Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear and a food vendor with Asian-Indian cuisine. The event is open to the public, and free parking will be available at the Tribal Hall, with shuttle service to Kitiyepumu’ Park.
Over a dozen local businesses and organizations will be in attendance, including the Friends of California Condors Wild and Free, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Los Padres ForestWatch, Quail Springs Permaculture, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The tribe’s Culture, Education and Health Departments will also be in attendance.
Registration will take place at the event, with the first 150 people receiving a “swag bag,” which will include a T-shirt, fruit snacks, globe keychain, and plantable California poppyseed paper. Guests are also encouraged to bring gently used clothing items for a clothing swap.
The Environmental Department was established by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Tribal Government in 1998. Its mission is to prepare tribal lands for environmental adaptation, protect and regenerate natural resources, and cultivate the connection between culture, spirit and community through collaboration and education. The department implements education and outreach, zero waste, water resources, climate adaptation and habitat restoration programs for the tribal community.
For more information about Chumash Earth Day, contact Melissa Mercer at [email protected].