Each year, Earth Day is celebrated internationally on April 22, and there is so much to be thankful for! Check out these ideas for honoring our planet this Earth Day.
Spend time in the Great Outdoors
There’s nothing like getting out and exploring nature. Some activities can include hiking at the Shawnee National Forest, biking along the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage, or kayaking in a lake at Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area. Spending time outdoors has health benefits as well; try “earthing,” or “grounding,” the practice of walking barefoot outdoors and feeling the Earth’s energy. Start this Friday and Saturday at Howell Wetland’s free Earth Day festivities, where you can enjoy macro-invertebrate fishing, guided hikes, animal encounters, and special seminars on invasive species, seed life cycles, and the importance of trees.
Clean up your community
Go on a walk in your neighborhood and collect all the trash or recycling you can find. Cleaning up a local park or community area makes the space more beautiful for everyone who visits. And many hands make light work — invite some friends and have a cleanup party!
Plant a tree or wildflowers
Planting new species can help the environment in numerous ways, including attracting and supporting pollinators and improving air quality. Be sure to consult the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association, an agent at Purdue University’s extension office in Vanderburgh County, or a certified arborist or horticulturist before adding plants to your property.
Conserve water and energy
Monitor your water and energy use for a week and identify ways to cut back on each. Consider methods in your own home like taking shorter showers, utilizing natural light instead of light bulbs, reducing appliance use, and turning off all electronics when not in use. Looking for more ideas? Check in with Sixth & Zero owner Mary Allen’s podcast, “Waste Less, Live More,” at sixthandzero.com/blogs/news.
Get involved
Donate your time or energy to local organizations that support the environment. Maybe it’s participating in a cooking class with locally sourced ingredients or signing up to contribute a monthly monetary donation. Great local organizations include Keep Evansville Beautiful, Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, and Urban Seeds.
Photo provided by Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve.