If you’re looking for an excuse to do something Earth Day-related this weekend to mark the occasion, there are several dozen state parks and beaches that are hosting volunteer cleanups and could use some assistance. It’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, which is actually Thursday, April 22.

For the last 12 years, the California State Parks Foundation has held cleanups to coincide with Earth Day. I’ll be observing Earth Day this Saturday at an environmentally-themed kids’ festival 2,000 miles away because that’s where I’ll be, unless I decide to join 93,000 other people in watching a college football exhibition game, which is certainly possible. Anyway, click here for info on which state parks sites are holding Earth Day events this Saturday and how to register, etc.

Closer to home, here’s more on similar E-Day stuff.