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Earth Day, which began in San Francisco in 1970, has become an international day of awareness of not only environmental concerns but also areas of civic engagement that affect our health and communities, including air and water pollution, education, and public transportation. Earth Day is now the largest secular holiday in the world, celebrated by more than one billion people. Locally, here is a selection of events that you might enjoy checking out:

• Green Apple Festival. A free event with live music, noted environmentalist speakers, and lots of interactive opportunities to learn from eco-friendly organizations. Performers include Mickey Hart, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Brett Dennen; speakers include author Bill McKibben and Charlie Ayers of Google. The Festival begins at noon on Sunday, April 20 at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
• San Francisco Zoo’s Earth Day Party for the Planet. On Sunday, April 20, celebrate the earth and participate in fun animal awareness activities at the zoo. This family-friendly event will include interactive displays from a number of environmental organizations. Visit the zoo from 10 AM to 5 PM on the Great Highway at Sloat Boulevard.
• California State Parks Foundation Restoration & Cleanup. On Saturday, April 19, spend the day planting trees, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, and cleaning up beaches and parklands on Angel Island or in Golden Gate Park, Candlestick Point, or a number of other greater Bay Area state parks. For more information or to register, visit http://www.calparks.org and click on the Earth Day 2008 icon.
• "ReVisions" Eco-Art Drive-By Exhibit. Perhaps only a Los Angeles artist could conceive of art designed to be enjoyed from a vehicle to be green, but I have to admit I’m intrigued. These 10 original pieces are painted on recycled billboards by Peter Schulberg, founder of the non-profit Eco-LogicalART Gallery. They will premiere on San Francisco and Oakland billboards on April 22 in conjunction with an exhibit at the Thoreau Center for Sustainability in the Presidio.
• Do Your Own Thing. Although it’s fun to attend a big to-do, the real point of Earth Day is not about going to an event. If you commit to making just one small change, or if you talk to friends and relatives about what they can do to protect our environment, then you’ve embodied the true meaning of Earth Day.