Heard of the 12 Days of Christmas?  Earth Day is such a big deal in Cannon Beach that it's hosting "12 Days of Earth Day".

It starts on the beach, at Haystack Rock.

It helps that springtime inhabitants of the iconic rock are cute.

They’re tufted puffins, and they return to Haystack every April for mating season.  It’s here that they’ll nest and raise chicks, so they’re natural mascots for

Cannon Beach Earth Day celebrations.

“12 Days” starts Wed. (April 13) with a “welcome home” ceremony for the birds.  Students in puffin masks cross the sands with a banner in honor of the mascots.

Other daily events include conservation talks, free films, art shows, free yoga and more.

On Earth Day (April 16), Friends of the Cannon Beach Trail will lead a three-hour work party at the lagoon.

For visitors, “12 Days” is a great introduction to the best of Cannon Beach:

●  Volunteers from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) give beach talks about the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

●  At the Cannon Beach History Center, exhibits explain tide pools and tides.

●  Back at the beach, HRAP members discuss bird life on the rocks and sea life in tide pools.

●  The Little Pompey Wetland will be the site for public talks about wetlands.

●  Friends of Wilapa National Wildlife Refuge travel from Washington for a tutorial on wildlife and habitat protection.

More:  www.cannonbeach.org or (503) 436-2623.