When he was a San Antonio City Council member from 1977-1985, Joe Alderete often spoke about water conservation and the benefits of using solar energy.

At the time, his efforts didn't go over so well.

“I would talk about solar energy then,” Alderete said, “and people would say, ‘solar energy?' That was kind of their response.”

But plenty has changed in the past few decades.

“Thirty years later, here it is,” Alderete said. “Here we are talking about (those things).”

Indeed, we are.

And Alderete hopes to further the discussion with the annual San Antonio Earth Day celebration, which takes place on Saturday, April 21, at Woodlawn Lake. The event began in the late 1970s and has morphed into a celebration of environmental protection and energy and water conservation.

The event includes an array of entertainment, including dance troupes and musical performances, as well as food (vegetarian only) and drink.

Clint Hale | 210SA