Sunday’s citywide Earth Day celebration in Antelope Park started last fall with a group of people talking in a coffee shop.

They wondered why local officials weren’t planning an Earth Day celebration this year. The last city-sponsored Earth Day celebrations was in Pioneers Park in 2006.

The small group, made up of mostly conservationists, decided to form the Coalition for the Environment and Earth Day and organize their own event.

“It was too important not to,” said Barb van den Berg, co-chair of the Nebraska Green Party and one of the key organizers.

Global warming, pollution of the oceans, declining fisheries and destruction of the Amazon and other rainforests are among the issues, she said.

“People might not completely understand some of the (news) stories … but a lot of people are concerned about air and water,” van den Berg said.

“We just got talking to people. We  said, ‘This is crazy — let’s do it,’” van den Berg said. “This is purely grass roots, flying by the seat of our pants.”

Weather should help the turnout; forecasters call for a high on Sunday of 80 degrees.

Organizers hope people will ride a bike, walk, have a picnic, enjoy music in the band shell and kids activities. No food or beverages will be sold, but people can bring their own refreshments.

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler plans to announce two “green” initiatives  involving city employees during a 1 p.m. speech.

On Tuesday, which is Earth Day, he will kick off a phone recycling drive that will benefit Friendship Home, an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. The HopeLine program, sponsored by Verizon Wireless, collects unused cell phones and equipment from any vendor in any condition. The phones are refurbished and sold with proceeds going to a nonprofit group.

Other events:

* University of Nebraska-Lincoln Earth Day celebration — today, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., north of the city campus Union. Learn about conservation, efficient transportation and alternative fuels, recycling, buying locally. More than 20 different organizations and groups will be present at the event, sponsored by Ecology NOW and UNL’s School of Natural Resources.

* Bruce Babbitt, former secretary of the Interior Department, will give a free lecture, “Nebraska’s Water Future: Feast or Famine?” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St. The lecture is part of the E.N. Thompson Forum series.

* “Water Quality Challenges in the Great Plains,” is the theme of this year’s Water, Law, Policy and Science Conference Tuesday and Wednesday at Embassy Suites. UNL students can attend for free. See http://watercenter.unl.edu/Water Conference.

* The International Quilt Study Center & Museum, 33rd and Holdrege streets. Starts at 10 a.m. Saturday; family-oriented activities  include art making and an 11 a.m. tour highlighting the green features of the new building. More exhibitions and tours will begin Sunday at 2 p.m., Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Also Wednesday, college night for UNL students, 5 -8 p.m. Thursday, a noon brown bag lunch and talk will offer recycling information and tips. The week will conclude with the planting of two trees at noon Friday, which is Arbor Day. See www.quiltstudy.org or call 472-6549.

* “Party for the Planet” Earth Day celebration, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 26, Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Wildlife-friendly activities and giveaways. Bring used ink cartridges and aluminum cans to be recycled.

* “Earth Day Omaha 2008: The Power of One,” noon-8 p.m. Saturday, at Elmwood Park, 808 S. 60th St. Beer garden, live music, food.

* Monday and Tuesday, 3-5 p.m., Chalco Hill Recreation Area at 156th Street and Giles Road on southwest edge of Millard, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District will hand out 10,000 white pine seedlings to teachers and youth group leaders to be given to students to take home and plant. Call 402-444-6222.