Virtual Earth Day event lined up for the Canadian Ecology Centre

A bit of a change for the Fifth annual Mattawa River Writers Festival Earth Day Book Talk.

The event is still taking place on Earth Day, Wednesday April 22nd.

General Manager and Founder of the Canadian Ecology Centre Bill Steer says COVID-19 meant they had to change the way the event will unfold.

“Due to the circumstances we’re going to go ahead with this, virtually mind-you and people are going to ‘ZOOM’ in. It’s a great opportunity to listen to a variety of book talks by leading Canadian writers,” he says.

Writers will speak to how the natural world influences their work and include Waubgeshig Rice, Christine Fischer Guy, Gary Barwin, Andrew Forbes and Terry Campbell.

The day begins with a welcoming smudge delivered by Nipissing First Nation Indigenous educator George Couchie and finishes with a digital fire live at the Canadian Ecology Centre.

“It’ll be scheduled and you can opt for all of them or some of them, it’s free. All you have to do is register and download ZOOM,” Steer says.

He also says it’s important events continue to take place, even with changes to the way they’re delivered.

“As we look to the future with physical distancing and the like, festivals and congregating we’re going to have to learn how to re-congregate, certainly for a while so let’s get started on it and let’s do it virtually,” Steer adds.

For more information and free tickets check out mattawariverwriters.ca

Photo submitted