Get ready to be fired up for the second annual Canyon Day brought to you by the students and faculty at Mesa College, many volunteers, and varied community partners like the San Diego River Park Foundation and the Kearney Mesa Recreation Center.

Canyon Day takes place on April 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the P-100/200 building (the Nursery Landscape Facility) located on Marlesta Drive near the North entrance of Mesa campus.

Canyon Day was born last year from a few intrepid minds due to some local concerns from the public with issues about having to backfill some canyon space to support the Southwest corner of the new Mesa Campus parking structure. The structure’s footprint went a little deeper into the canyon than what had first been expected.

With the community’s concerns of Tecolote Canyon rising and their pitch forks sharpening, a group of enterprising students and faculty got together to raise awareness on ecological issues. Their main focus was raising environmental consciousness, public outreach programs, and educating the importance of preserving the natural state of the world.

This year Canyon Day will be located at the Nursery Landscape Facility and according to Lina Heil, Co-Chair and media contact, there will be canyon talks and walks, a blue grass band, organic gardening tips, demonstrations and tours of the Mesa College Organic Garden, children’s activities, “Love our Canyon,” mural painting and even canyon rock painting for the kinder.

Parking will be free of charge in the student parking lot 1, with shuttles available. There will be signs posted everywhere so don’t worry about getting lost or left behind. On the other hand, you can always just listen for the music and follow your footsteps to the piper’s song.

On March 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a Canyon Clean-Up event. If you are interested in attending, please call David Moore at: 760-758-1373. They will be meeting at the P-100/200 building a little before 9 a.m. and make sure you bring close-toed shoes to protect your feet.

For further information, please contact Professor Don Barrie, the Canyon Day Co-Chair at: 619-388-2759.

If you would like to volunteer for Canyon Day clean up or the Second Annual Canyon Day, please call David Moore. Special thanks to all the participating community partners not mentioned.