Environmentalists are urging Islanders to mark Wednesday as a green letter day in their calendars as the planet celebrates 'Earth Day'.

The event, on April 22, started in the US in 1970 as a way of drawing people's attention to environmental issues. It has since become an international occasion, marked by festivals, conferences, tree-planting and other activities.

This Wednesday, the Bermuda Association of Eco-Clubs (BASEC) invites people to a music festival at Barr's Bay Park.

The 'Earth Day Birthday Celebration' runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features: Sundjata of Chewstick (MC and acoustic performance); The Bermuda School of Music; Mohawk Radio Band; Secret Po-Po; and The Victor Scott School Recorder Ensemble.

There will also be food, environmental exhibitors and games. These include an Internet game in which people can pledge to reduce their ecological footprint over the coming year.

A spokesman for BASEC said: "This offers residents the chance to make a birthday gift to the Earth of responsible, sustainable consumption.

"Earth Day is a time we can celebrate how the Earth provides for us, and commit to meaningful change in how we treat the Earth."

BASEC is a network of teachers and students who aim to educate the public on good environmental stewardship.

This year the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and the Bermuda National Trust are also seeking to inspire residents to celebrate Earth Day, with a joint message.

The organisations want to educate the public on the Island's natural heritage and how we can protect it for future generations.

In a statement they pointed out the following facts:

With an average 3,250 people per square mile, Bermuda is one of the most populated islands in the world;

Almost three-quarters of our land has been developed, with an area the size of Ferry Point Park lost to development every three years;

There are approximately 3,500 trucks, 22,000 cars and 25,000 motorcycles on Bermuda. You can reduce pollution by walking, cycling or taking public transport;

The Island was the first country in the New World to pass conservation legislation, with a law in 1620 to protect small sea turtles;

The Bermuda longtail does not touch land between leaving the Island in the fall and returning in the spring, but instead rests on the ocean in between catching squid and fish;

The Cahow, Queen Conch, West Indian Topshell and Bermuda Scallop were once almost eaten to extinction, but are now protected under law;

Bermuda Cedar was a symbol of wealth in bygone times but in the 1940s was almost wiped out due to invasive small insects;

The Kiskadee was brought from Trinidad to help control lizards but its numbers have contributed to the decline of native species, such as the Chick-of-the-Village, Cardinal and Catbird.