It should be no secret that the North Kitsap Herald is a huge fan of the environment. Folks who read the fine print on page one of this paper should know that we’re “Printed with recycled paper and environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink.” While we admit that we have absolutely no idea how soybeans are made into ink — or a tasty condiment for Chinese food for that matter — we do take pride in that fact that the Herald is doing its part to be environmentally friendly.

We also take pride in the fact that our neighbors and friends in Kingston and the surrounding area are doing theirs as well. As far as next weekend goes, the Little City by the Sea is the place to be. One word (or organization, as the case may be) that typically comes to mind around here when Earth Day is mentioned is Stillwaters. The environmental education center has gone above and beyond the call of Mother Nature to ensure generations to come enjoy all things green.

The group is getting a grand helping hand next Saturday from the Kingston business community, local artists, musicians, vendors, entertainers and even our green-thumbed friends at the Kingston Farmers’ Market as EcoFest again takes root in town.

The annual celebration of Earth Day brings to light all things environmentally friendly and has become a of gathering of folks who not only care about the future of the planet but are knowledgeable in the various ways humans can lessen their impact on it. Who knows, they might even have some insight into what environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink is all about.

More than likely, those having questions about electric cars, improved septic systems and recycling, will want to get a jump start on the natural fun.

Well, they’re in luck, too.

Sundquist and Heronswood nurseries will be hosting open gardens respectively from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today and our very own Peg Tillery (of What’s Up fame) will be giving tips on easy-care gardening from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Savage Plants. What better way to get hyped for EcoFest?

Well, how about joining the Poulsbo Garden Club on its trip to beautiful Foxglove Nursery in Hansville at 9:15 today or whooping it up with the Friends of Miller Bay as they mark the purchase of 13 acres of protected property on Cowling Creek from 10 a.m. to noon? We could go on and on but we don’t want to run out of environmentally friendly soybean oil-based ink now do we?