The quest is formidable: Plant 72,000 trees.

But the goal is measurable: Eliminate the emissions of 2,880 cars.

That's part of what the Upper Thames Conservation Authority hopes to achieve this year to celebrate Earth Week beginning April 21.

Thousands of students and other volunteers across the area are being asked to plant trees, clean up waterways, have a little fun and learn about the environment by getting involved.

"We're getting more and more interest from people about the environment, not just in London, but globally," said Steve Sauder of the UTCA.

And it's little-known facts about the impact of trees on the environment that gets people motivated.

Sauder said it takes 25 hardwood trees to offset the emissions of one car. So, the 72,000 trees planted in the coming weeks will one day crowd out the emissions of 2,880 cars.

"People will get involved because it's one of the reasonably tangible things they can do . . . and it's fun," said Sauder.

"We make sure everyone has a good time."

In London, 1,500 native hardwoods, sponsored by Sunoco, will be planted April 29 at Westminster Ponds, where 2,000 people are expected to turn out to help and take in activities and demonstrations.

School children in London, St. Marys, Dorchester, Stratford, Woodstock, and Innerkip will help plant 10,000 hardwoods and another 62,000 trees in will be planted in rural areas of Oxford, Middlesex and Perth counties to meet the conservation authority's goal.

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HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Earth Day weekend and related events in the area and how to join in

- Friday, April 20: The 20-Minute London Makeover in which corporate London and its workers hit city streets at 2 p.m. to clean up outside their buildings and nearby sites.

- Saturday, April 21: London Clean and Green Day from 9 a.m. to noon. Individuals, groups, clubs, church congregations, neighbourhoods, employee and business groups will spread out across the city, picking up litter and cleaning graffiti.

Getting involved. London Clean and Green and the 20-Minute Makeover: Register at www.cleangreen.london.ca, or call the city at (519) 661-4570.

- Saturday, April 21: Annual Thames River Clean Up. Last year, more than 1,800 people cleaned 200 kilometres of the banks of the Thames River and its tributaries. Volunteers will be given garbage bags and work gloves.

Getting involved: For more information, contact Todd Sleeper at (519) 229-6926, tdsleeper@quadro.net or visit www.thamesrivercleanup.ca

- Sunday April 29: Sunoco's Earth Day at Westminster Ponds from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m when there will be tree planting and a variety of demonstrations and games and activities for kids.

Getting involved: Phone 451-2800 ext. 275 or e-mail sauders@thamesriver.on.ca or visit the website at www.thamesriver.on.ca

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OTHER ACTIVITIES PLANNED

- April 21: Stoney Creek Community Day, when area volunteers will help rehabilitate the creek.

- April 25: The Upper Avon Conservation Club will do some creek restoration near Stratford.

- April 27: Stratford students will gather at city hall for environmental workshops and tree planting.