Visitors walk along a raised walkway at the Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge at the Audubon Environmental Education Center in Bristol. Earth Day activities will include tours along the trail.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

Get out.

Join the party. Honor Mother Nature. Earth Day approaches.

“This is the planet’s birthday,” says Jeff Hall, senior director of advancement at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. “What kind of gift can you bring?”

Environmental consciousness is always appreciated. Wrapping’s not required. But biodegradable bows are welcome.

While Earth Day is officially Tuesday, the Rhode Island party is Saturday at the Audubon’s education center in Bristol. There will be animal introductions, guided nature walks, children’s activities, environmental exhibits and lectures.

“It’s supposed to be fun, and it will be,” says Eugenia Marks, senior director of policy. “Yes, there will be information tables there. But it’s not like going to school. There won’t be any pop quizzes.”

But, ideally, there will be some conservation conversion occurring. Actually, that’s already underway.

“In the last couple of years becoming green is the new thing,” says Anne DiMonti, director of Audubon’s education center. “But we’ve been doing it since 1897.”

Audubon is the oldest and biggest conservation organization in the state. In fact, it’s Rhode Island’s largest private land owner, with more than 10,000 acres, most of which you’re free to roam sunrise to sunset. (See map of Audubon properties below.)

Every year since 2000, Audubon has conducted an Earth Day celebration in Bristol. And every year the event grows, from a little more than 100 participants that first year to a little fewer than 1,000 last year.

“When people are affected directly, their eyes are opened,” DiMonti says. “Until then, they think, ‘How does a global issue affect my life?’ But when it’s concrete and right in front of you, such as the price of gas, it makes the abstract realistic.”

The event, which is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1401 Hope St., Bristol, includes a drop-off site for computer recycling. It offers puppet shows, nature stories, crafts and games — relating, of course, to recycling and energy and water conservation — and talks about marine conservation and sustainable living, among other attractions. (See schedule at right.)

But the most important component at the event is people — the younger the better.

“If kids don’t learn about nature, will they value it when they get older and work to preserve and protect it?” Hall says. “Earth Day helps get them excited. It’s the spark.”

It’s provided courtesy of the great outdoors. Introduce it to your children.

“There is a whole movement now about getting kids outside,” Hall says. “A lot of their time is taken by television and computers. Kids are getting disconnected from nature.”

And adults aren’t doing their part. Here’s where they can start, with what Audubon calls its “Seven simple solutions to save the planet.”

1) Use energy-efficient light bulbs.

2) Maintain proper air pressure in your car’s tires.

3) Use canvas bags for shopping.

4) Recycle.

5) Turn down thermostats 1 degree.

6) Turn off water when brushing teeth.

7) Buy local produce.

What you’ll learn at the Earth Day event, according to Hall, won’t be scholarly and boring, but lively (as in wildlife) and entertaining.

“We call it ecotainment. We teach people about ecology but try to do it in an entertaining format.”

In addition to the special attractions of the day, Audubon also offers its usual one: a picturesque 28-acre spot along Narragansett Bay with walking trails that may lead you to see a variety of animals, birds, insects and plants.

These are the things your life affects.

“Take a deep breath,” says Marks. “And think about what you’re doing and how you can help the environment.”

The Earth Day celebration is at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8, $5 for children, and free for those younger than 4. It’s also free to anyone who arrives by bicycle. For more information, call (401) 245-7500 or visit www.asri.org.

1) Florence S. and Richard K. Fort Nature Refuge, off Route 5 in North Smithfield. The 235-acre site is known for its beaver ponds and wetland plants. There’s a half-hour hiking trail and a three-hour one.

2) Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield. The 120-acre property is the home of the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. There’s a pond with painted turtles and wood ducks. In the woods live pine warblers, wild turkeys, Eastern blue birds and tree swallows.

3) Waterman Pond, Waterman Hill Road, Coventry. There’s a 28-acre forest and a single, straight trail to Sisson Pond. The hiking is not recommended for young children.

4) George B. Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, 1670 Maple Valley Rd., Coventry. You’ll find Revolutionary War-era carriage roads and ancient rock formations in this hilly, 860-acre forest.

5) Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. With well-marked and easy-to-moderate trails, this 200-acre refuge is one of Audubon’s most popular.

6) Long Pond Woods, Long Pond Road, Hopkinton. This appropriately named 220-acre site features rocky and steep terrain, including the most challenging hike among the Audubon properties. It offers a dramatic view from a rock high above the pond.

7) Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter. At 937 acres, this is Audubon’s largest property, with great diversity: a historic cemetery, ponds, streams and a waterfall. Some of the trails are long and not recommended for those younger than 10.

8) Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve, on Prudence Island.

9/10) Environmental Education Center & Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, 1401 Hope St., Bristol. Educational exhibits are inside the center; outside is a 28-acre refuge along Narragansett Bay.

11) Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren. You’ll find fields of flowers and butterflies and picturesque views of a salt marsh on this 66-acre site.

12) Lathrop Wildlife Refuge, Route 1A, Westerly. There’s a short trail popular among bird watchers on this 86-acre coastal habitat.

13) Kimball Sanctuary, Watchaug Pond, Charlestown. The 29-acre refuge abuts Burlingame State Park and is accessed from Route 1. It has woodlands, wildflowers, stonewalls, meadows and a memorial garden.

14) Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton. The 50-acre parcel provides a great view of the Sakonnet River and blinds for observing birds: great egrets, snowy egret and glossy ibis, among them.

15) Lewis-Dickens Farm, Cooneymus Road, Block Island. You’ll see the sea and 120 acres of meadows.

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island offers free admission to its properties, which are open sunrise to sunset and feature self-guided groomed trails for hiking and appreciating nature.

The Audubon’s education center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8, $5 for children 4-12, and free for those younger than 4. For more information, call (401) 245-7500.

The Audubon’s headquarters, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (401) 949-5788. To find out more, visit www.asri.org.

Audubon’s Earth Day celebration is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

There’s computer recycling all day, and a junior meteorology program. Face painting, crafts and nature stories will also go on throughout the day. Scheduled events:

•10:30 and 11:30 a.m., performances by Sparky’s Puppets.

•12:30 p.m., winners of Earth Day art and essay contests are announced.

•1:30 p.m., special presentation, “New England’s Coastal Marine Wildlife and You!”

•At 3 p.m., special presentation, “Eco-foot Printing,” about people’s impact on the environment.

STATEWIDE

The Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries Cleanup: To volunteer, call Evelyn Wheeler, commission chairman at 789-3503 or e-mail eviewhee@verizon.net. Cleanup of the cemetery at the Knightsville Congregational Church, 67 Phenix Ave., Cranston, will be held Sat from 10 am-2 pm.

EAST BAY

Middletown

Earth Day Cleanup. Sat. Bags and gloves will be provided. Call 845-5802 for more information.

•Coastal Cleanup. Meet at The Walter’s Edge, 1077 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 9 am-noon.

Newport

Earth Day Cleanups. Sat. Bags and gloves will be provided. 845-5802 for more information.

•King Park with the Friends of the Waterfront. Meet at the King Park picnic pavilion 9 am-noon, rain or shine.

•Morton Park. Meet in the park on Morton Avenue near the playground 10 am-noon.

•Storer and Battery Park. Meet in Storer Park 9 am-noon.

•Cliff Walk & Belmont Park. Meet at the Marine Avenue entrance to Cliff Walk 1-2 pm, rain or shine.

Neighborhood Cleanup, the Off Broadway Neighborhood Association will clean the streets, sidewalk and gutters in the vicinity of Broadway to Van Zandt and Malbone to Tilley Avenue and Pond Street. Volunteers should meet at 13 Condgon Ave., Newport, Sat at 9 am. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. For information, e-mail theel@cox.net.

Portsmouth

Common Fence Point Neighborhood. Meet at the community hall on Anthony Road Sat 8:30-11:30 am. Trash bags will be provided, but bring your own gloves and tools.

Tiverton

Community Cleanup. Sat through Sun, April 27. List of sites in need of cleaning are at the Essex Library, Town Hall and Coastal Roasters. 624-7830.

NORTH

Burrillville

Burrillville Lions Club Cleanup. Meet at the Town Garage, 65 Union Ave. 369-2739. Sat 8:30 am-1 pm. Designated clean-up areas will be assigned. Gloves and bags will be provided.

Litter Cleanup. Meet at the Burrillville Public Works Garage Sat at 9 am.

Cumberland

Litter Cleanup of the Ballou Cemetery, Elder Ballou Meeting House Road Sat at 8 am.

Lincoln

Litter Cleanup along the Blackstone River. Meet at the Manville Dam Sat at 8 am.

Smithfield

Smithfield Conservation Commission Cleanup. Volunteers should meet Sat at the Conservation Center off Waterview Avenue for assignments. Bags, gloves and bottles of water will be supplied. 595-7603.

Litter Cleanup. Meet at the Leo Bouchard Conservation Center behind the police station Sat.

PROVIDENCE

Save the Bay Cleanup, Save the Bay Center, 100 Save the Bay Drive. 272-3540. Shoreline cleanup Sat10:30 am-1 pm.

Spring Clean-Up and Mural Treasure Hunt, India Point Park, Gano Street entrance, Providence. 273-4204. Sat 9 am-noon. Pizza and drinks after the group photo. Bring wheel barrow and clipping tools. Lawn bags, gloves, rakes, paint and brushes provided. Rain date Sun.

SOUTH COUNTY

South Kingstown

University of Rhode Island, Route 138, Kingston. 874-2116; www.uri.edu/news.

•Campus Cleanup and Tree-Planting Ceremony, Sat at 11 am. Meet at the quadrangle.

•Earth Day Festival on the quadrangle. Educational exhibits; sustainable products; build a bird feeder; ocean awareness games; home-waste audit; workshops on gardening, composting and bicycle repair (11 am-1:30 pm); screening of Eleventh House documentary film about global warming at 7 pm in the URI Library, Galanti Lounge; music Tue 11 am-4 pm. Free.

Westerly

The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County will collect used computers, monitors, keyboards, aluminum, copper, laptops, laser printers, routers, radios, scanners, fax machines, car stereos, cable, wires, cell phones, telephones and other electronics Sat at the Westerly Wal-Mart, 258 Post Rd. There is a $1 fee for each item, which will benefit the center. Larger items such as televisions, air conditioners, large copies may require an additional handling fee.

Save the Bay Beach Cleanup, Misquamicut Beach, 257 Atlantic Ave. 315-2709. Bring work gloves. Sat 10 am-noon. Canceled if rain.

WEST BAY

Cranston

Earth Day Cleanups will be held at the Howard Industrial Park, Pocasset Cemetery, Knightsville Cemetery Sat 8 am-noon and the Dialogue Garden on Oaklawn Avenue at 10 am-noon.

East Greenwich

Earth Day Cleanups at the waterfront, Howland Road and Division Street and most main roads west of Tillinghast Sat 9 am-noon. Volunteers should bring their own work gloves; trash bags will be provided. Bags should be left on the roadsides for the Public Works crews to collect. A concert and excerpts from the Academy Players spring musical The Secret Garden will begin at 11:30 am at Town Hall.

West Greenwich

Earth Day Cleanups in the Big River and Lake Mishnock areas. Volunteers should meet Sat at 8:30 am at the commuter parking lot at Exit 6A off Route 95 for their assignments, gloves and bags.