Thousand Oaks residents can learn planting techniques and pick up free trees and plants during the Arbor/Earth Day Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., April 9 at Conejo Creek Park North, on Janss Road behind the Thousand Oaks Library. Parking will be on the south side of Janss Road and shuttles will take visitors into the park. The event and all activities are free to the public.

The festival offers arts and crafts, compost and papermaking workshops, children’s activities, and entertainment with an environmental theme. Wild animals will be featured at "Jungleland U." on the Lakeside Pavilion stage, with the Reptile Family, Ojai Raptors and Movie Dogs providing entertainment. At noon, local dignitaries will participate in a Chumash tree blessing ceremony led by Richard "Black Bear" Angula.

LITE 92.7 radio personality Paul Freeman will serve as master of ceremonies on the main stage to introduce the award-winning Earth-capades Environmental Vaudeville Show, GTP and the Hotsteppers and Channelaires Chorus.

Children’s activities include the PAUSE4Kids Art-a-Thon, where kids can make art projects out of recycled materials, and the Tide-pool Cruiser where children can view sea creatures up close. Children can also decorate and plant their own flowerpots to take home.

Exhibitors and vendors will provide environmental information, products, food, and arts and crafts. Exhibitors include Conejo Recreation and Park District rangers, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, Mortimer Tree Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area/National Park Service and the Conejo Valley Garden Club.

"Preserving our natural resources and teaching our children to help preserve them is something we regard highly here in the city," Thousand Oaks City Manager Philip E. Gatch said. "By combining Arbor and Earth Day into one family-style event, we help our residents educate themselves and their children about the environment in a fun way."

The event is hosted by the city of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District and sponsored by LITE 92.7 FM, KCLU 88.3 FM, the Ventura County Star and J.W. Enterprises.

For more information, call Jana Covell at (805) 449-2117 or visit www.toaks.org.