{"id":29807,"date":"2022-04-14T09:30:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T16:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?p=30000026113"},"modified":"2022-04-14T09:30:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T16:30:06","slug":"6-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/6-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day","title":{"rendered":"6 ways to celebrate Earth Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earth Day is April 22. It\u2019s a day to celebrate our incredible, colorful world. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States. Today, more than 193 countries recognize it each year. The United Nations designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day.<\/p>\n

There are many activities you can do to join in the celebration of Earth Day. Here are some fun ideas-<\/p>\n

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Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grow a Garden<\/h3>\n

Swap cuttings or seeds from your existing house plants with your friends and neighbors. Host a Plant Party<\/a>! Purchase a few supplies like cute little pots, potting mix, decorative stones, and moss. It\u2019s also a chance to meet new people. And don\u2019t forget the snacks!<\/p>\n

Many communities have local gardening clubs<\/a> you can join – Long Beach Garden Club<\/a>, Naples Islands Garden Club<\/a>, and Long Beach Community Garden Association<\/a> are just a few local groups. This is an excellent way for experts to share their knowledge and passions and for beginners to get support. Most volunteer to maintain gardens around town.<\/p>\n

For the really ambitious, get together with others and plant a community garden. Gardening can become a life-long hobby and even produce delicious fruits and vegetables for your meals. Starting a community garden<\/a> requires a bit of pre-planning, but a group effort can ease the hard work.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plant a Tree<\/h3>\n

Plant a tree that is native to your area. Gather a few friends or residents to help, and you\u2019ll get to enjoy the beauty for years to come. The City has a Tree Planing Program<\/a> where Long Beach residents can have a tree planted in their parkway and\/or a fruit tree planted in their front yard for free. There is a wait list, so another option would be to #TreeYourself<\/a> with help from the city.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have space to plant your own tree? Organizations like Arbor Day Foundation<\/a> and One Tree Planted<\/a> use funds from sales on their website and donations to plant trees.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Connect with Nature<\/h3>\n

Bird watching<\/a> is a fascinating way to celebrate Earth Day. You can do it without leaving your home and for very little to no cost. All it takes is looking and listening. The sights and sounds are a beautiful reward. Many types of birds flit around backyards, especially if you hang a bird feeder. Consider making your own bird food<\/a> to feed your new feathered friends. You may want to purchase binoculars <\/a>to enhance your visual tour of nature. Purchase a bird guide so you can check off the species you see each day, take some pictures and print them out to make your own bird guide, or check out the common birds of El Dorado Nature Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gather a group of community residents or neighbors and take a nature walk. Observe the plants and flowers, trees, and shrubs. Listen for the birds and bugs. Keep your eye out for things you don\u2019t usually see when driving around your community. Reflect on nature. Open your mind and heart to the feelings of peace and restoration that a nature walk brings. Here are a few local nature walks you can take today –<\/p>\n