Southern Utah News January 11, 2012
By: Margaret Schreiber
Volunteers Needed
Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest May 13th – May 19th
Approximately 4.55 billion years ago, the Earth formed within a solar system located along the vast, outer reaches of a spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way. Our sun-centric solar system, its spinning Earth gravitationally in tow, takes approximately 200 to 250 million years to complete just one orbit around the Milky Way. In other words, the sun and our entire solar system travel through space at a staggering rate of 500 thousand miles per hour. Within 90 seconds, we on Earth all move 12,500 miles in orbit around the center of the galaxy. Mind-boggling facts to comprehend sitting down!
And, as we examine our local environs more closely, we can appreciate firsthand the boundless phenomena of nature. Our Colorado Plateau holds answers to some of the world’s most fascinating ecological and biodiversity questions, both past and present. This place of magnificent natural beauty and rugged wilderness boasts more national parks than any other region in the United States. Ancient people dwelled upon this unique landscape long ago, leaving evidence of their existence that dates back as far as 10,500 years.
These astonishing realities alone describe a planet worthy of revere. Therefore, Kanab, Utah is proud to host the Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest celebration which will be held from May 13th through May 19th. Attendance has increased substantially every year since the event was launched in 2007, and is considered one of the Colorado Plateau’s foremost festivals. All area residents and visitors are invited to join in the fun and excitement, free of charge.
Amazing Earthfest activities provide family entertainment, educational opportunities and hands-on discovery adventures. Events are designed to enhance public awareness in areas of environmental scientific discovery, ecological understanding, responsible recreation, and appreciation for cultural heritage and the arts. Sharing facts rich in detail about the endless wonders of Utah’s national and state parks, national forests and regional monuments ranks high on the list of festival goals.
Past Amazing Earthfest presentations have included dinosaur track and rock art exploration, performance art production, guided hikes through the plateau’s remote backcountry, astronomical studies, and colorful lessons in Native American culture and pioneer history. Award-winning documentary films, shown in a comfortable theater setting, offer beautifully presented information about significant planetary, national and regional issues.
In order to make this year’s Amazing Earthfest another resounding success, volunteers are needed at various levels of commitment. The three volunteer levels are as follow: general volunteer, presenter and organizational volunteer. The first volunteer opportunity is vital in setting the stage for the festival. This basic volunteer level includes duties such as distributing flyers and schedules prior to the event, helping to set up events before and during the festival, and handing out and collecting event sign-in sheets.
The second volunteer opportunity is at the presentation level. This level stands at the heart of the festival. Anyone who wishes to share their enthusiasm, knowledge and skills about the environment and the miracles of this Earth is invited to participate as a presenter in this year’s Amazing Earthfest.
The third level of volunteer service involves the festival’s organizational stages during the months that precede the event, and during a short follow-up period after the event has closed. The outcome of volunteering at this level is highly rewarding, knowing that so many residents and visitors will leave the festival invigorated by this beautiful land and enlightened about issues that affect the Colorado Plateau and our planet. Amazing Earthfest would like to invite organizational volunteers who are willing to lend their imagination, vision, time, talents and service to participate on the following seven teams; Communications and Messaging, Events, Finance and Accounting, Fundraising, Secretarial and Web Development, Volunteer Coordinating and finally Strategic Planning.
To learn more about the Amazing Earthfest and to offer service at a basic, presentation or organizational volunteer level, please call our toll-free number before February 1st, 2012, at 888-588-8970. Or, contact us via email at volunteer@amazingearthfest.com. Thank you, in advance, for helping to make the Sixth Annual Amazing Earthfest celebration a grand event.
