April is a time to look outside and watch as thoughts of cold, blustery winter slip away, leading us toward burgeoning signs of spring. Every April, we have the chance to celebrate Earth Day, which is a wonderful time to remind us that there is no "Planet B" option: this is the only one we have. Earth Day falls on April 22 each year, but there is no reason not to honor our planet year-round.
Earth Day is not one of those so-called “Hallmark Holidays” but was instead started in 1970 as a day to honor the Earth. Honoring the Earth includes not only being thankful for our big, blue home but also looking at ways we can protect the environment to keep this marble in space alive for years to come.
If you are interested in more information on Earth Day, there are many great resources to check out.
Earthday.org has information not only on the state of the Earth right now but also on many ways we can learn how to help and protect our resources. So many things are happening in the world today, including drilling for oil, bees dying off at a heart-wrenching pace, rainforests being demolished, out-of-control greenhouse gases, and sadly, so much more, and it can feel like there is no way out.
The good news is that while damaging things are happening all around us, there are ways we can help out.
Remember, no matter how small an act, it is still an act of love for the Earth we call home. Some easy things we can do include planting trees or donating to places that can plant trees in bulk, such as The Canopy Project, which replants trees worldwide to combat deforestation.
Another way to help out is to protect bees and other natural pollinators. Michigan State University has wonderful resources that can help you create a pollinator-attracting garden right in your own backyard. Pollinator gardens can attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other species that help spread pollen from plant to plant, encouraging growth in healthy ecosystems.
If you are more of a “boots on the ground” person, there are some great events going on in our area on or near Earth Day.
- 52 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, which lists activities you can do and events in the area.
- The Earth Fair in St. Clair County offers a fun weekend of Earth-saving activities.
- The Annual Charles River Cleanup is a massive Earth Day cleanup and a great way to connect to the Michigan conservation community.
- Michigan State University offers many classes and programs on gardening, pollinators, farming and other earth-related topics.
Canton Public Library also has many resources to help educate you, your friends and neighbors about ways we can add good to the world on Earth Day. Here are some great books to help get you started.
The Graphic Guide to Beekeeping – The author shares his knowledge of bees, bee culture and beekeeping for those interested in learning more.
The author shares how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. By acting now, you can help preserve our precious wildlife—and the planet—for future generations.
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