WATSONVILLE — Much of the focus around helping the environment is centered around collective action, but there are individual things people can do to make a difference. These include turning off lights when not using them, conserving water usage and refraining from littering.

These tactics and more are highlighted in this year’s global Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” which is also the focus of this year’s Watsonville Earth Day festival April 27, where people can connect with different local organizations to work toward a greener future.

“We have over 50 nonprofit local organizations plus city teams coming out to talk to our residents and visitors about climate action, climate resilience and services that these organizations offer to Watsonville residents so that they can keep having healthy lives and keeping our waterways clean and ways to take action to reduce carbon footprint,” said Cristy Cassel, environmental projects manager for Watsonville’s Public Works and Utilities Department.

Vendors include Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Eat for the Earth, Santa Cruz Metro, Pajaro Valley Climate Action, Ecology Action, the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, Week Without Driving, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and many more.

There will also be opening remarks delivered by Mayor Maria Orozco; performances by the White Hawk Indian Council for Children, Grupo Folklórico Raíces Mestízas and Watsonville Youth Poet Laureate Rachel Huerta; and food vendors Lily’s Fruit and Ivan’s Baked Potatoes, as well as Oaxacan family cuisine for sale.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which was first observed on April 22, 1970, at the request of then-Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who was inspired to dedicate a day to environmental awareness following an oil spill that took place off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, the previous year. Since then, Earth Day has been a day to bring to light issues affecting the environment and encourage others to do their part to clean up the planet, whether through major actions like climate legislation or smaller acts like planting trees or picking up litter.

“We’re just happy to be able to continue this tradition to bring so many organizations together to provide bilingual information which is really crucial for our community and free activities for the youth here so that they can feel part of a community and have the tools and resources to taking care of themselves, taking care of the environment and getting ready for any climate hazards that might face Watsonville,” said Cassel.

The Earth Day festival is noon to 3 p.m. April 27 in the Watsonville City Plaza, 358 Main St. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to Watsonville.gov/1779/Earth-Day.