Yellowknife (Apr 20/05) - Our relationship with the earth is constantly challenged, says France Benoit.

Celebrating Earth Week is vital to understand what people like about the earth and what it has to offer, Benoit, an organizer of Earth Week 2005 for Ecology North, said.

"We've been celebrating Earth Day, April 22, for the last six years. We decided one day was not enough," Benoit said of the 11 days of activities planned for the occasion.

This is the 35th anniversary of Earth Day.

This year's Earth Week theme is building a future for our children, Benoit said.

One of the highlights of Earth Week will be a motivational talk by Elizabeth May, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada.

May will discuss the topic Fuelling Climate Change: Mackenzie Valley to Athabasca on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the museum.

An environmental training workshop being held at 7 p.m. April 25 in the library meeting room, will explore strategies for grassroots campaigns and programs. "These are skills and tools which can be applied to any kind of activism," Benoit said.

Other activities include a tour of the new federal building, a backyard and worm composting workshop, a snow flea scavenger hunt and nature-themed guided walks and workshops.

Also at the museum will be an ongoing display of bird houses and ravens made from salvaged wood.

For more information about the upcoming events, contact Ecology North.