Honoring the Earth as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!
The Earth has responded to the Great Lull with clearer air, cleaner waters, and the return of many kinds of wildlife. While we can’t gather physically together, there are many wonderful ways to celebrate Earth Day everyday by taking care of ourselves, each other, and our earth.
Below are some activities to engage in on this special day, or throughout the month—or the year! Or participate in some virtual events that inspire hope or expand your knowledge. There’s an abundance of free programs available.
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Plant Something
Digging your hands in the soil is not only good for your physical health but your mental health as well. Welcome in the spring by working in your garden – plant native species, grow veggies, or even just pull weeds. Find native species for your home here. Natives support more species of bugs and birds, and take less water.
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Take a Stroll
Walk around your neighborhood to boost your mood and get a breath of fresh air! Whether it’s walking, running, or rolling, make sure to follow CDC guidelines. Can’t go outside? Try meditating, doing pilates, or even yoga at home, and open your windows to let the fresh air in!
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Try Plant-Based Cuisine
If you’re feeling creative in the kitchen and have time to try a new recipe, consider cooking a plant based dish. A plant based diet is good for general well-being and can help reduce our carbon footprint! Find some inspiration here.
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Create Eco Art
Eco art is art created from natural things like leaves or twigs and can help you feel connected to the earth without actually leaving your home. Feel free to repurpose unused items in your home or give your trash a new life! Find some ideas here.
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Virtual Events
Check out livestreams, virtual conferences and videos to watch at any time. Some require advance registration. All are free, but these organizations are all struggling: show some love to them, as you show some love to Mother Earth! My personal favorites have their headers in green, but I’m going to try to check out as many of these virtual events as possible! |
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April 22: Earth Day!
Acknowledge the first Earth Day by visiting the original site, which shows us ways to act, speak up, and stay engaged. Consider this powerful action: reach out to three people, and make sure that they will commit to voting in the election. Nothing you do this year may be as important!
April 22-May 17: Wild and Scenic Film Festival 2020
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the largest film festival of its kind, showcasing the best and brightest in environmental and adventure films, and inspiring a love of nature. Last year the in-person event sold out in Berkeley! This virtual event is free and it’s easy to participate. Register here for virtual tickets to four Wednesdays of amazing films. Once you’ve signed up, each Wednesday you’ll receive an email from POST with a link and password to watch the films. You’ll then have until the following Sunday to view the films.
April 22-May 31: Cool the Earth Family Program
Gather your family for the ‘Adopt a Polar Bear’ experience and pledge to fight climate change. This free, 30 minute program, targeted to children in grades K-5, offers fun and engaging videos, a student creative activity, and family climate action pledges. Your family will learn about saving energy, zero-emission transportation, and reducing emissions. Available from April 22 – May 31 here.
April 22-26: Smithsonian Earth Optimism Summit
Discover stories of both small and large-scale actions that demonstrate environmental success is possible. Take a glimpse into the event here. Learn more here.
April 22, 11am: Drive Electric Earth Day Tribute
This virtual event will include a live musical performance, informative guest speakers, information on electric vehicle financial incentives and more! Find out how electric vehicles help our climate, and improve our air quality and our health. Register here.
April 22, 1pm: Exploratorium Earth Day Celebration
Learn about the history of Earth Day while you explore some of the big ideas behind the science of the Earth’s systems with programs for all ages. The livestream can be watched here.
April 23, 6pm: KQED’s Earth Day DEEP LOOK Film Fest
The DEEP LOOK Nature series offers short videos about small animals and plants filmed very close up in beautiful ultra-high-definition to give viewers a look at the natural world that they rarely get to see or experience. After the screening, join scientists and video producers for questions and discussion. Get tickets here.
April 23, 6:30pm: Electric Vehicles 101
Thinking about buying a new car? Consider going electric! Join the City of San Leandro, with guest speakers from 350 Bay Area and the City of Berkeley for a workshop that covers available cars, mileage range, buying and leasing, incentives, programs for income qualified drivers, and much more. Find the right car for your lifestyle. Register here.
April 25, 6pm: The Story of Plastic Watch Party & Panel
The film exposes worldwide plastic pollution, human rights abuses perpetuated by the plastics industry, and a global resistance and network of every-day heroes working internationally to combat this urgent problem. In honor of Earth Day, “The Story of Plastic” airs on the Discovery Channel on Wednesday, April 22, at 2:00 pm. You can watch the film on the Discovery Channel or join the Ecology Center Watch Party on Saturday, April 25 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, followed by a panel discussion at 7:40pm with a great group of speakers, including the film’s director.
View the trailer or register for the 4/25 Watch Party & Panel
April 26th, May 3 & May 10, Bring Back the Natives!
From 10 – 1 on each of these three Sundays, in a series of 25 minute long live garden visits, passionate garden owners and the talented designers of the Bay Area’s most beautiful and inspiring landscapes will show us what’s happening in the garden now, feature their favorite natives, describe their favorite native plant gardening resources, and more.
Renowned ecologist and best-selling author Douglas Tallamy will open this event on Sunday, April 26, at 10:00. This is not to be missed!
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