Cycle powered smoothies and discounted coffees were on offer today to mark the start of the annual Sustainable Backyards event.

From 7.30am to 9am the Tauranga Environment Centre hosted the launch of the month-long event on The Strand's waterfront.

Sector team leader Emma van de Molen is encouraging neighbours to get together an enjoy desserts on Big Desert Night.

Peter Blakeway and Will Johnston making smoothies.

Sustainable backyards co-ordinator Tania Gaborit says the launch attracted crowds keen to get their early morning fix including chef Peter Blakeaway, Mayor Stuart Crosby, Priority One members and Will and Bridget from Classic Hits.

'It's a whole month of environmental events – we have cycle powered smoothies and homemade cupcakes.”

'We are hoping to encourage local neighbourhoods to hold a desert night for Earth Hour, where you go out in your local street, or into someone's backyard and everyone brings a desert and you turn off all the lights and mark Earth Hour.”

The fastest time on the smoothie machine has been 57.9km/h.

On March 23, Peter will be sharing healthy desert ideas with parents at Papamoa Coast Kindergarten in preparation for their Big Desert Night with three other local kindergartens from the Tauranga Region Free Kindergarten Association.

Teacher Caroline Darby says they're delighted to have Peter sharing some earth friendly dessert ideas for our Earth Hour event.

'We'll be making a pledge for Earth Hour and encouraging our parents to make one too.”

Coordinator Emma van de Molen says people who can't attend the Big Deserts Night still have an opportunity to take part in the month with lunches and afternoon teas taking place in the week leading up to Earth Hour.

Each individual/group registered will receive a guide pack with invitations, helpful tips, and be eligible to win a range of prizes.

To sign up go to www.envirohub.org.nz. Example pledges and recipes can be found on our Facebook page - search BigDessertNight.

View the calendar of events in the centre of this issue of the Weekend Sun or go to www.envirohub.org.nz.