It was the kind of exciting and educational day only STAR can provide, filled with warmth, passion, talent and learning from start to finish. The festival featured tons of entertaining and informative offerings from our environmental partners, engaging tours of the STAR Eco Station, performances from STAR students that had audiences stomping to the beat, and appearances by celebrities and politicians, all rejoicing in the planet we share.

State Senator Curren Price received the STAR award for "Service to Education" and addressed the gathering about the importance of education and the environment. Senator Price, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Assemblywoman Holly Mitchell gave graciously of their time and efforts, mingling with students, parents and teachers, taking time to address their questions and concerns regarding both the state of the planet and the state of our local schools. Assemblywoman Mitchell also took home the "Children's Advocate Award". We want to thank Supervisor Ridley-Thomas coming to show his support of the STAR Eco Station and of Children's Earth Day and dialoguing with so many of the visitors at the event. All three of these political leaders were thoughtful and generous with their time, and helped underscore the importance of restoring the ecological balance.

Child actor Adrian Kali Turner ("iCarly", "Yo Gabba Gabba" and the upcoming feature "Bad Teacher") talked to kids about ways they could reduce, re-use and recycle. Actress Carmen Serrano ("Malcolm and Eddie", "Breaking Bad") cheered on the efforts of students to help save the planet. L.A. Sparks basketball player Ebony Hoffman delivered the message of improving environmental protection with the aid of the team's mascot, Sparky, who was a big hit with the kids.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the day was the hundreds of students from various STAR Schools who performed on the main stage in celebration of the planet. Decked out in outfits from 1920s flappers to punk rockers, students read poems, sang, danced, and made beautiful music in tribute to this hunk of rock, sand, soil, water and plants we all call home. The world belongs to these children, and they are our greatest responsibility.

We want to thank all of our wonderful sponsors: New York Life, Sevia All-Natural Soda, the L.A. Sparks, and Felbro. Many thanks as well to our donors: Izzie Sparkling Juice, Lenzini’s Pizza, Eco Pouch, and Coca-Cola. We greatly appreciate the dedicated efforts of The Karma Foundation, whose representatives were on hand to lend their friendship and support to the cause. We also want to offer a special thank you to our partners at UCLA and Loyola Marymount University.

We hope to see of all of you at our 12th Annual STAR Eco Station Children's Earth Day Festival next year. Until then, let's make every day Earth Day!

Treat the Earth well; it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

-Native American Proverb

***Relive Children's Earth Day 2009 through the magic of time lapse video!

Check out more photos from last years event!

For more information on Children’s Earth Day or
STAR ECO Station, please call 310-842-8060