The sun may not have shone but the rain only reinforced the message of why we should take more care of our planet.

As environmentalists celebrated Earth Day with a birthday party in Barr's Bay Park on Wednesday, the heavens opened. Rather than dampening spirits however, it was a gentle reminder of just how precious our water sources are.

Stuart Hayward, chairman of the Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), said: "It's Earth Day and we take what the Earth has to give us. Just as we accept food and materials for clothing and shelter, so we accept the wind and rain. And in Bermuda it's always good to see the rain."

Despite a larger ratio of children to adults and less than a hundred people present, Mr. Hayward said he was "pleased" with the turnout.

"I've met a broad cross section of people today and given the weather, I think we've done well," he said.

The 'Earth Day Birthday Celebration' was organised by the Bermuda Association of Eco-Clubs (BASEC) and there was birthday cake for those making an electronic pledge on the computer to help the environment.

Started in the US in 1970 as a way of drawing people's attention to environmental issues, Earth Day has since become an international occasion, marked by festivals, conferences, tree planting and other activities.

In Bermuda, the day was marked by a music festival featuring Secret Po Po, the Victor Scott School Recorder Ensemble, the BHS School Band, Mohawk Radio Band, the Bermuda School of Music, with Chewstick's Gavin Smith as MC.

There were also exhibition stands by groups such as the Bermuda National Trust, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Solar Bermuda, Triton Renewable Energy Ltd., AF Smith, Grow Our Own, the Vegetarian Society of Bermuda, The Greenhouse Bermuda, and the Department of Conservation Services.

Jennifer Gray, director of the Bermuda National Trust, also read out the Earth Day address, bringing home the environmental message to children.

'A Message From Mother Earth' by Schim Schimmel, it states: "Dear Children of the Earth, I am writing this message to ask for your help... I am your Mother Earth. And just like you, there is only one of me, so I am very special. I need to be loved and cared for, just like you."

It continues: "I love to hug you with my warm sunshine, tickle you with my wind, and kiss you with my rain.

"... All of the animals that live on me are your sisters and brothers. We are all one big family.

"... If you love me, care for me and protect me, I will always be your home. Forever and ever. I love you with all my heart, Mother Earth."

Ms Gray said: "It was taken from a children's book and is a very simple Earth Day message. I think every day should be celebrated like this, but if we can only do it once a year then we can make it bigger and better every year.

"We have a lot to celebrate, especially here in Bermuda."

Meanwhile, at Saltus Grammar School, students and staff wore green at an Earth Day Grub Day, each donating $2 to sustainable development group Greenrock.

Each student also made a personal pledge to help the environment while representatives from each year planted 14 cedar trees on the school grounds.