Photo by the Gulf Restoration NetworkAs you know, Friday On April 20, 2012, the nation will mark two years since the start of BP’s oil drilling disaster. The oil disaster continues to impact Gulf communities and ecosystems, and support is still needed to restore the Gulf. All weekend, organizations across the Gulf are organizing commemorative events that will provide more information about the state of the Gulf since this disaster occurred. Closing out the weekend is Earth Day which provides an opportunity for folks to join their friends and neighbors to celebrate the Earth and voice the message that the environment needs protection – EVERY DAY.Here are some events happening around the Gulf:Two Year Memorial Events – Friday April 20, 2012Press Conferences: Join us to mark the 2 year anniversary of the BP drilling disaster. The oil disaster continues to impact Gulf communities and ecosystems, and support is still needed to restore the Gulf. Speakers from organizations in the Gulf Future Coalition will rate the progress towards a full and fair recovery and provide updates on emerging science regarding the oil disaster and stories of on-going impacts to coastal communities. The Gulf Future Progress Report will be released at these Press Conferences.New Orleans, LA – 8 am CST at the Hale Boggs Federal Building 500 Poydras Ave., New Orleans, LABiloxi, MS – 10 am CST at the Lighthouse Fishing Dock, north end of Lee Street, Biloxi, MSTampa, FL – 3 pm EST at the Demens Landing, 400 1st Ave SE in St. Petersburg, FL9:30 am CST – The Urban Conservancy is releasing their report My Heart Is Tied Up in This Place: Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Plaquemines Parish’s Local Businesses at theSoutheast Louisiana Fisheries Assistance CenterRegions Bank building, 8018 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse, LA9:00 am – 2:00 pm CST – Remember, Resolve, Restore – Grand Isle Community Center, 3811 Highway 1, Grand Isle, LA More Info1:00 pm CST – SoulFire4TheGulf: Drum Circle, Gulf Healing Ceremony and Second Line: inspired by New Orleans Medicine Person and Musician, Dr. John. -Louis Armstrong Park, Henriette Delille & St. Phillip Street Entrance. More Info6:00 pm – 9:00 pm CST – 2 Years Later:Town Hall Meeting on the BP Oil Disaster – First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans, 2903 Jefferson Ave., New Orleans, LA. More InfoA reminder of what we are working to protect this Earth Day. Photo by Gulf Restoration NetworkEarth Day Events Saturday April 21, 2012 Louisiana10 am -5 pm CST – Live Earth Expo New Orleans Healing Center 2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA. More Info1 pm – 10 pm CST – Honoring Mother Earth 2012 130 Rue de Chene, Raceland, LA. More InfoMississippi8:30 am – 11:30 am CST – Celebrate Earth Day with MS Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Resources Center, 6005 Bayou Heron Road, Jackson County, MS. More InfoFlorida10 AM to 5 PM – Earth Day Tampa Bay at USF Tampa. More InfoSunday April 22, 2012Texas – 1 pm CST – Galveston Baykeeper Art Auction – 420 Kirby Bend Taylor Lake Village, TX 77586. More InfoLouisiana – 9 am – 7:30 pm – 2012 New Orleans Earth Day Festival and Green Business Expo – Bayou St. John, Orleans Avenue, New Orleans, LA. More InfoAlabama – 10 am – 6 pm CST – Earth Day Mobile Bay – Fairhope Pier, Fairhope, AL. More InfoFlorida – Click for Pensacola eventsMore events are listed at gulffuture.org
