Outdoor events: Free state parks day, Earth Week, bikes, more

Free: In honor of Earth Day, all Washington state parks are free on Tuesday.

Earth Week: EvCC has events planned all week.

• Tuesday: See the movie “Future Transportation Technology Will Blow Your Mind,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Whitehorse Hall room 105
• Wednesday: Ciscoe Morris, gardening guru, will share tips about residential composting, 11 a.m. to noon, Gray Wolf Hall Courtyard
• Thursday: Watch contestants display their upcycled fashions, noon to 2 p.m., Whitehorse Hall Critique space
• Saturday: Recycle small electronics, cables and ink cartridges, $10 donation suggested to EvCC Foundation; TVs and items larger than microwaves will not be accepted, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more info on what is accepted, click here.

More Earth Week: Whidbey Island has a number of events planned. More info.

• Tuesday: See the film “Thin Ice: The Inside Story of Climate Science” at 7 p.m. at South Whidbey High School, 5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley. Before the film, from 5 to 7 p.m., there will be a festival with local environmental groups.
• Friday: See the film “GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth” at 7 p.m. at Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Whidbey Island, 20103 Highway 525, Freeland. The film deals with issues of population growth and consumption.
• Saturday: From 9:30 a.m. to noon, help remove invasive species at the Saratoga Woods Preserve. Bring gardening tools, gloves and water.
• Saturday: Go birding with a guide at Maxwelton Creek from 9 a.m. to noon. Carpools meet at 8 am at Coupeville’s Prairie Station Park and Ride, 8:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Park and Ride, and 8:40 at Bayview Park and Ride.
• Saturday: Hear about climate change solutions from Eileen Quigley, Director of Strategic Innovations at Climate Solutions. There are two events: 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church Community Building, 18341 Highway 525, Freeland and 2 p.m. at Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regata Drive, Oak Harbor.
• Sunday: Attend a forum about fossil fuels at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, 5217 S. Honeymoon Bay Road, Freeland.

Bikes: Learn basic bike maintenance from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. You’ll learn about basic bike care, flat tire repair, brakes and pads, derailler shifts and adjustments. It’s at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, 2525 Broadway, Everett.

ORCA: Learn about EvCC’s Ocean Research College Academy at an information session at 6 p.m. Thursday at its waterfront location, 1205 Craftsman way, Suite 203, Everett. It’s the final information session before the May 1 deadline. Get more info here.

Food: Learn about the common edible native plants from field, forest, beach and backyards on Thursday, Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Northwest Stream Center. Jennifer Hahn, best-selling author of “Pacific Feast: A Cook’s Guide to West Coast Foraging and Cuisine” will inspire you to create your own wild harvest feast. Reserve a spot by calling 425-316-8592. $5 for Adopt A Stream members and $7 for non-members.

Films: The Wild &Scenic Film Festival is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the SIFF Cinema Uptown in Seattle. Films start at 6 p.m. and a happy hour is at 5 p.m. One film discusses the removal of the Elwha Dam and its effect on the Lower Klallam Tribe. Get more info and tickets here.

Gear Up: An outdoors expo with gear, demos, speakers, a climbing wall and more on Saturday and Sunday in Everett. Details.

Birding: A Pilchuck Audubon birding trip to the Montlake Fill is April 29. Meet at 8 a.m. at Lynnwood Wal-Mart lot, 1400 164th St. SW (I-5 Exit 183). Park away from the store to the west. Many rarities have been observed at the trip site. May visit Foster Island, Magnuson Park and other areas of north Lake Washington. Pack a lunch. Sign up with trip leader Virginia Clark, 360-435-3750.

Frogs: Learn about amphibians and wetland conservation with FrogWatch USA on from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 30. The program helps scientists with their studies on amphibian population trends. The workshop covers identification of local amphibians and how to collect data. Classes are at at 700 Main Street, Edmonds, and field trips will be scheduled. $18 for Edmonds residents, $21 for others, plus $10 supply fee. Kids aged 10 and up welcome, if registering with an adult. Call 425-771-0230 or register online here.

Natural Journal: Learn how to use watercolor to create a nature journal at 2 p.m. May 3 at the Marysville Library. Molly Hashimoto, a Seattle artist and illustrator, will teach the free class. No art experience required and supplies are included. Register here.

Competitive birding: Bird Quest is a full-day of bird-themed activities on May 3 in Seattle. Participants will look for bird art, solve bird-related puzzles and look for as many bird species as they can find. Competitors try to collect as many points as possible for the chance to win a variety of prizes. The fee is $35. Get more info here.

Bike: A series of Bicycle Sundays begins on May 4 in Seattle. During the events, Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motorized vehicles 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during Bicycle Sundays. You can bike, jog or stroll along the boulevard between the Seward Park entrance and Mount Baker Park’s beach. Bicycle helmets will be for sale from 1-4 p.m. in Seward Park for $15. Professionals will be there to do fittings. More info here.

Beavers: See the film “Beavers” at 7 p.m. May 9 at the Northwest Stream Center in Everett. To start the event, “Sammy the Salmon” will talk about the values of beaver dams to wildlife. The event is free. Call 425-316-5892 to reserve a seat. Get more info here.

Bats: Learn about bats and dispel the myths at 11 a.m. on May 10 at the Monroe Library. Barbara Ogaard from Sarvey Wildlife Center and Bats Northwest will give an introduction to bats of the world using props, slides and live bats. For all ages.

Hike: Guidebook author Craig Romano will talk about hiking in Snohomish County at 6:30 p.m. May 12 at the Sultan Library.

Boating safety: A marine weather workshop is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on June 10 in Seattle. Registration is required. For information and registration, contact Sarah Fisken: sfisken@uw.edu or 206-543-1225.