April 22 is Earth Day, a day all about protecting our environment. While events continue to be affected by COVID, there are still lots of ways to mark the day with your family.
Remember, you and your family can celebrate Earth Day EVERY day by doing just a few easy things that will have a big impact on our planet.
Happening in Erie all April long to celebrate the Earth:
Find Erie Earth Day cleanups, events and more at ErieEarthDay.org.
More Earth Day Erie events throughout April:
- Free & Online: Virtual Climate Change with Presque Isle State Park (Register by 4/14)
- FREE: Drive-Thru Book Drive at Blasco Library
- Free & Online: What to do with Waste, Part 3: Recycle with Presque Isle State Park (Register by 4/16)
- Free & Virtual: DIY Magazine Art with Presque Isle State Park
- Free & Virtual: Live Demo: Seed Paper With Erie County Public Library Idea Lab
- Free & Online: Virtual Climate Change with Presque Isle State Park (Register by 4/21)
- Build Your Own Rain Barrel at Brown's Farm (Registration required)
- Free & Online: What to do with Waste, Part 4: Rethink with Presque Isle State Park (Register by 4/23)
- Virtual & Online: Upcycled Beach Glass Art with Presque Isle State Park (Register by 4/24)
- Free & Online: Square Foot Gardening With Erie County Public Library (Registration required)
- Free & Online: Virtual Green Cleaning (Register by 4/28)
Here are 7 ideas on things your family can do to be better environmental stewards:
1. Meal plan
The average family throws out $1,500 in wasted food per year, according to the EPA. In fact, food waste makes up over 24 percent of landfill waste in the United States. Simple steps like meal planning, storing food properly, and using leftovers can help your family reduce your food waste. Here's how to create a monthly meal plan that works.
2. Grow your own food
Gardening involves much more than watering plants. Kids can learn math and science skills, responsibility, and will begin to understand how much time, effort, and care farmers put into their jobs. Here are 10 benefits to gardening with kids.
3. Reuse
Erie Free Store and the Erie area's other thrift stores are a great place to find gently used items and save money. Erie also has a Tool Lending Library where you can borrow tools for free. You can also reach out in a local Facebook group or a site like Next Door to see if someone will let you borrow an item you only need to use once!
4. Invite worms into your kitchen
No, really. We mean it. Worm composting is a great way to turn scraps into soil and get kids interested in recycling. Here's more about the fun of worm composting.
5. Clean up
Whether it's an organized community event or just your family, head to a local park or the Lake Erie shoreline to pick up trash. Don't forget to bring work gloves!
6. Commit to using less plastic
As a family, swear off those plastic bottles of water. Always choose a cone when out for ice cream (no more plastic dishes!). Make it a habit to bring reusable shopping bags wherever you go.
7. Plant a tree
Trees provide food and oxygen, and also help save energy, clean the air, and help fight climate change. All that and they're lovely to sit under on a hot day! Plant a tree as a family and watch it grow over the years. Learn about Releaf Erie's efforts and volunteer to help plant trees in Erie here!
