Earth Day!

EARTH DAY DATE, ACTIVITIES, AND HISTORY

On Earth Day, enjoy the tonic of fresh air, contact with the soil, and companionship with nature! Walk through the woods in search of emerging wildflowers and green moss. Go outside, no matter the weather!

WHAT IS EARTH DAY?

Ever wondered how Earth Day started? This observance arose from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues.

In 1970, San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21, 1970) and Nelson chose April 22.

Millions of people participated, and today, Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated (mostly on April 22).

Common Earth Day activities include planting trees, cleaning up litter, or simply enjoying nature through hiking, gardening, or taking a stroll in a local park.

WHEN IS EARTH DAY?

Earth Day is always celebrated on April 22. It’s followed closely by Arbor Day, which falls on the last Friday in April.

EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS

Celebrate Earth Day by enjoying nature. Here are some ideas to inspire you!

• Plant wildflowers! Read our article on native wildflowers.

• Go native! Plants thrive when they’re natural to your area. See our article on native plant landscaping and 10 tips for an eco-friendly garden.

• Bring nature into the garden with plants that attract butterflies and plants that attract hummingbirds!

• Invite native bees to your garden. These are the bees that pollinate your plants for more flowers and food! Perhaps add a native bee house!

• Try an organic vegetable garden. Here are tips on organic seed-starting, and our Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening.

• Conserve water! See our tips for watering wisely in the garden and tips on how to create your own rain garden. 

• Clean up your community by organizing a group to pick up litter in a local park or roadway.

• Talk to your local government about planting more trees and native garden beds in public spaces, or consider planting your own on your property!

• Cut back on plastic consumption! I know in our town we can recycle plastics “1” and “2.” See a Plastics Recycling Chart.

• Recycle in the garden! See our ideas on how to reuse plant pots and containers and other items you can recycle and reuse in the garden.

• And here’s how to reuse in the kitchen and reuse in the home.

• Just do what you can! It’s not easy being green but see where you can make a difference.

EARTH DAY QUOTES AND POETRY

The thirsty earth soaks up the rain, And drinks, and gapes for drink again. The plants suck in the earth and are With constant drinking fresh and fair. –Abraham Cowley

The “green things growing” whisper me Of many an earth-old mystery. –Eben Eugene Rexford

Resources: https://www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history