Yellowknife (Apr 25/03) - There's a story behind Ecology North's decision to put 16 birdhouses up for auction at its annual Earth Week fundraiser May 3.

France Benoit holds a birdhouse painted by Yellowknife artist Autumn Downey to be auctioned off during Earth Week. - Darren Stewart/NNSL photo

At last year's auction, guest auctioneer and avid birdhouse builder Tony Whitford decided at the last minute to add a birdhouse he slapped together with salvaged wood to the auction block.

"It was really quite nice," said Earth Week co-ordinator France Benoit.

"But he was hesitant to even let people see it at first. It was a bit crooked and made from wood scraps."

The birdhouse was the item that sold for the most money at the auction, and this year Ecology North will be back with more.

The auction is part of a week's worth of activities, including nature walks and workshops to "eco-theatre," which begin this weekend.

Last year, Ecology North chose the week after Earth Day (which was last Tuesday) to host an array of earth-related activities.

"It's all based on raising awareness about what we can do to preserve our Mother Earth," said Benoit.

She said Earth Week is of vital relevance to Northerners.

"We're seeing some scary things especially here in the North," she said. "We're seeing the effects of climate change before other places in the world."

Benoit said the Earth Week events are geared toward people who may not be regulars to regular Ecology North events.

"We have a variety of activities to show how many of the earth's facets there are in our lives," she said. "From walking at Niven Lake to looking at frogs to kayaking."

The birdhouses will be on display at the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre. Each was painted by a different Yellowknife artist who donated their time to the project.

Benoit, who is storing the houses until the auction, said it's going to be hard to give them up.

"I don't want to let go of them," she said. "I feel like a mother hen."

Yellowknife city hall is flying the official flag during the Earth Week events.