There are few holidays or observances that are celebrated around the world regardless of your nationality or religion, but since the 1970s, April 22nd has been known worldwide as a day to promote environmental protection and show your love for Mother Earth.
Earth Day started in the United States as an “environmental teach-in,” but quickly grew and now there are close to 200 countries that hold events on the day.
If you are wondering what you could do to make the Earth a more vibrant place and be more environmentally responsible, here are some suggestions for this Earth Day (and every day, truthfully).
- Plant a tree. I run a nursery, so this, of course, is the first thing that pops into my head. A tree not only adds greenery and beauty to your property; it also provides shade, cleans the air and gives critters a place to rest, nest and feed.
- Consider alternatives to driving everywhere. Walking, biking, public transport, and car-pools are all great ways to get where you are going while saving on energy consumption and reducing pollution.
- Switch to e-bills and invoices instead of paper ones. In addition to saving trees, they are also easier to (virtually) file!
- Create a pollinator garden. Chemicals and pollution have done harm to bee colonies and by planting flowers, you help repair their ecosystem. Not sure what plants are best for creating a garden that bees and butterflies will love? Check out a special workshop we’ll be hosting with Dr. Patrick Pynes later this month. He’s not only a lecturer at NAU in Environmental Humanities; he also founded the Northern Arizona Organic Beekeepers Association (NAOBA).
- Fix leaky faucets. That drip, drip, drip you hear at night from a leaky faucet is literally money going down the drain. A slow drip can waste seven to 10 gallons of potable water a day.
- Speaking of water, start conserving the H2O that falls from the sky by installing a rainwater harvesting system in your home. We have a free seminar about that on Saturday, April 13 at 11 am.
- Take time to appreciate the earth. A visit to a park or a hike in the mountains will remind you of how gorgeous your home planet is and why it’s worth making some changes to better protect it.
I hope you have a wonderful Earth Day this year. If you need any advice on ways you can be more eco-friendly in your garden or lawn, we are happy to help at Warner’s.
Happy Gardening,
Misti