The big city and the small town share an emphasis on respecting the environment

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"The City of Moncton is very proactive when it comes to the environment," says City spokesperson Natalie Belliveau. "We want to encourage citizens to think of ways to help the environment, and to support initiatives like education."

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Since 1996, the City of Moncton has participated in Earth Day. This year, they teamed up with schools and the Westmorland-Albert Solid Waste Corporation. Three teams of volunteers from Westmorland-Albert, the City, and Bernice MacNaughton High School, visited 12 Moncton area schools to talk about the environment on Earth Day, April 22.

"The talks had three components this year," Natalie explains. "One was about the wet-dry sorting programme, and included kits, posters and games. We also talked about hazardous waste disposal, to educate young people about what can and cannot go into their household garbage.

"The third topic was water and energy conservation, including tips and informational handouts. We believe in starting people thinking about the environment when they're young."

To further inform and educate people, the City of Moncton is developing a website with environmental information and ideas, at moncton.ca/enviro. There are already lots of tips on the site, and much more is to follow, promises Natalie.

Ten days after Earth Day, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick's Southeast Chapter is organizing what promises to be an exciting and entertaining concert, with proceeds going to the Clean Energy Education Campaign.

Among several popular bands performing will be Cosmic Crew and LoveStorm. The concert takes place at Studio 7 Hundred on May 2. If a concert isn't your thing, you might want to take in the Green Expo Extravaganza, also taking place during the first weekend of May.

The City of Moncton Engineering and Environmental Services will have a booth at the Expo on May 4, at the Bernice MacNaughton High School. A buffet dinner is being put on, on the same day. For more information on these events, visit monctonearthday.com.

In Sackville, meanwhile, a very different event was held to mark Earth Day. The Tantramar Environmental Alliance this year celebrated Earth Day with their fourth annual Earth Day TEA Party. "We meet at the Bridge Street Café for a tea party," says volunteer Meredith Fisher. "This year our focus was on local sustainable food, and we had local ginger-snaps with our tea. It's a time to celebrate the earth, an opportunity to look at our community."

Between 40 and 50 people typically attend the TEA tea party, which is open to everyone. Also open to all is the opportunity to nominate some one for Environmental Citizen of the Year. Nominations close in early April, and it's never too soon to start thinking about a worthy person for next year.

"For us," says Meredith, "Earth Day is our gathering, giving recognition to the Day."

Both Sackville and Moncton help their keep their communities and environments clean during their Annual Spring Clean-Up Weeks. This year the two residential clean-ups are both scheduled for the week of May 12.

In Sackville, for details on what will and will not be picked up, you can contact PBS Wast Services Ltd. At 536 3932, while in Moncton, Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville Inc. is the place for more information, at 857 2991.