Earlier this week, April 22 marked the 50th anniversary of the worldwide observance of Earth Day.
While being under a stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic may change the way we commemorate this occasion, there are still plenty of fun ways for families to celebrate close to home or through a virtual adventure.
Check out this list of Earth Week events and activities offered by Northeast Ohio museums, park systems and more.
1. Earth Week Bingo Contest
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is putting a new spin on BINGO with the EARTH card. It’s full of fun and easy steps you can take to help the environment. Click here to view the event and get a game card.
CMNH wants to see your progress! Take photos of each activity you tackle and share your proof in the Facebook event or upload them to iNaturalist. Demonstrate you’ve spelled out E-A-R-T-H vertically, horizontally, or diagonally by Monday, April 27, and get entered for a chance to win a family four-pack of tickets to the museum upon reopening.
2. Virtual Wildflower Hike
As part of its Virtual Classroom series, Cleveland Metroparks Naturalist Natalie Schroder takes viewers on a virtual wildflower hike in the hollows of Bedford Reservation. See what’s in bloom by watching the video, then explore your neighborhood or a nearby park to discover spring wildflowers in your area.
3. Arbor Day Plant Giveaway
Planting trees and Earth Day go hand in hand. Even though its Earth Day Extravaganza has been cancelled, the Geauga Park District is still giving away the plants that its natural resource management team was growing for the event. Stop by Veterans Legacy Woods park on Arbor Day, April 24, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. to pick up a free tree seedling or meadow plant while supplies last.
Pick-up will be held outdoors in the main parking lot, however, social distancing protocol will still be important to follow. Limit of one pot of each species with no more than four total pots per family. Available (while supplies last): black walnut; shagbark hickory; northern red oak tree species; and blazing star, grey-headed coneflower, purple coneflower and milkweed meadow plants.
4. Grow Fresh Produce From Scraps
Family eating you out of house and home? Try growing fresh produce from scraps, thanks to this tutorial from Holden Arboretum. Watch the regenerative power of plants before your very eyes — plus, you may be able to save a couple of bucks at the grocery store. Try your hand at growing the following produce items: garlic, green onions, leafy greens, root plants like turnips and parsnips, and more.
5. Virtual Storytime: “The Tree Lady”
Cleveland Public Library is going green this Friday, April 24, with a Virtual Storytime reading of “The Tree Lady,” written by H. Joseph Hopkins. View the event on CPL’s digital platforms: cpl.org, Facebook and YouTube. Since March 31, library staff, elected officials, journalists and other celebrities have read an assortment of children’s books selected by the library’s Youth Services Department as part of its Virtual Storytime, but this Friday’s 1:30 p.m. reading is in coordination with the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s fourth year of tree-related events for Arbor Day 2020.
