15,000 people for 15 years: Surrey holds B.C.’s largest Earth Day celebration
Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Office of Sustainability has been part of the event for 10 years
The event featured sustainability-focused attractions and activities. (Sukhmani Sandhu)
Surrey’s 15th annual Earth Day celebration welcomed more than 15,000 people.
Party for the Planet, B.C.’s largest Earth Day event, was held at Surrey Civic Plaza on April 25.
“This event brings people together to learn about sustainability and the wide range of initiatives underway across the city. Together, we can continue to build a greener future for Surrey,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in a press release.
This year’s event featured environmental education, Indigenous cultural sharing, and a sustainable marketplace — which Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Office of Sustainability was part of.
KPU believes sustainability means environmental health, social justice, and economic responsibility, said Alexandra Taylor from the Office of Sustainability.
“It’s paramount that we include Indigenous worldviews into our sustainability practices, recognizing that the Indigenous people were the original stewards of this land,” she said.
Party for the Planet featured Indigenous performers and vendors, and the Indigenous-led cultural sharing focused on the design, purpose, and symbolism of the teepee, Surrey Parks wrote in an email statement to The Runner.
KPU has been part of Party for the Planet for 10 years. This year’s station included a photo booth, a wheel spinner with Earth Day questions, and sustainable prizes.
“It’s important to recognize that sustainability challenges, like waste reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable transportation options, are local issues,” Taylor said.
The event also included a Surrey Parks plant sale, food trucks, live music, and dance battles. The plant sale sold more than 1,500 plants of 26 native species, including shrubs, trees, perennials, and ferns, starting at $3.
Taylor’s favourite part of the Earth Day celebration was the affordable plant sale.
“I think there’s a huge misconception that to be sustainable costs a lot of money,” she said. “There are so many little things that you can do that don’t cost more money — and actually, at the end of the day, end up saving you more money.”
Surrey Parks is hosting an online tree sale until May 12 or until supplies last, beginning at $20. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/surreytreesale.
