Mount Shasta’s Annual Earth Day Festival Returns with Focus on Community and Environmental Stewardship

MOUNT SHASTA, CA – The picturesque Mount Shasta City Park will transform into a hub of environmental education and celebration as the annual Earth Day Festival returns on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with the theme “Let’s Grow Together.”

This cherished community event offers a full day of activities designed to foster deeper connections with the natural world while addressing critical environmental challenges facing the mountain region. From sacred ceremonies to educational talks and hands-on experiences, the festival provides something for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

Water Ceremony Kicks Off Celebration

The day begins with the Eleventh Annual Water Blessing Ceremony at 10:00 am, held in the meadow downstream from the headwaters spring. Co-organized by Michelle Berditschevsky, founder of the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, and Peruvian Shamanic practitioner Ray Nobriga, the ceremony will create a sacred space to honor water as a life-giving element. Those wishing to participate in the musical prelude with didgeridoo players and drummers are invited to arrive at 9:30 am.

Educational Opportunities Throughout the Day

The festival continues with a Family Nature Walk at 11:30 am, led by local herbalist Cara Saunders of Bear Wallow Herbs. Participants will explore the trails around the park while learning about native plants and their medicinal properties. “Protecting the Earth begins with building a relationship with the plants that live right outside your door,” notes Saunders in the event description.

The educational programming continues throughout the afternoon with presentations on critical regional issues, including:

• The West Mount Shasta Defensible Space Project (12:15 pm)
• Return of the Wolf to California (1:00 pm)
• Living the Earth Caretaker Way (2:00 pm)
• Sáttítla Highlands National Monument management and access (3:00 pm)

Art and Community

The Upper Lodge will host the second annual art gallery from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, featuring works that range from the decorative to the thought-provoking. Many pieces incorporate upcycled and natural materials, with portions of sales benefiting the festival. New this year is an open mic opportunity for poetry, acoustic music, and storytelling.

Simultaneously, a vendor faire with activities for children will take place throughout the day in the outdoor areas.

Youth Engagement Success

The festival builds on recent successful youth outreach efforts. In late March, organizers partnered with Headwaters Outdoor School to offer a Youth Eco Education Field Trip for students grades 6-12. Over 20 students and teachers participated in nature awareness and survival skill-building activities, including tree climbing, barefoot “fox walking,” shelter building, and ancient fire-making demonstrations.

“It was such a special opportunity and I know it’s something that will stick with our students for a long time,” shared one teacher. “Just being in the forest for 3 hours is so calming and it felt like a shock to get back into the hustle and bustle of things.”

Volunteer Opportunities

The festival is actively seeking volunteers for various roles across the two-day event. Setup begins Friday, April 25, at 4:00 pm with sign-making and grounds preparation. On Saturday, volunteer shifts run throughout the day and into the evening as activities transition to Spring Hill Nursery for a benefit concert at 5:00 pm.

Those interested in volunteering can visit the event website to sign up for specific shifts or contact [email protected] for more information.

The Mount Shasta Earth Day Festival continues to serve as a vital gathering for environmental education, community building, and celebrating the region’s natural beauty. Admission to all daytime activities is free.

For more information about the festival, visit mountshastaecology.org.