Since 1970, U.S. residents have observed National Earth Day. It is a day in which to learn about preservation of the earth's natural environment. This includes such things as the land, rivers, oceans, groundwater, native plants, and native animals. A similar interpretation would be to promote education and conservation of land ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and marine ecosystems.
If you don't know what on earth to do for Earth Day, here are a few ideas.
To start, residents can take a trip to the Veterans Memorial Library today to attend the City of St. Cloud Earth Day Celebration. Admission is free. There, you will find environmental exhibits, eco-friendly classes, a paper-shredding truck, and a place to recycle old batteries. There will also be local vendors, as well as activities for kids.
If you prefer to do something for Earth Day by yourself, or just with your family, there are still plenty of things you can do. First, we will cover the ones that involve some work. But don't give up. The last two options just involve celebrating the day and are for your own enjoyment!
The first work option is to plant a garden. It can be a pretty landscape garden, a butterfly garden, an herb garden, or a veggie garden. Hopefully you will be rewarded in the future, as it grows and attracts birds and butterflies. Next, you can plant a tree. There are many benefits to doing this, which we will hopefully learn about next week. Arbor Day is April 28.
The next option merely involves using a different kind of mulch. For example, oak leaves, which fall out of your trees, are not such a bad mulch. Unfortunately, 60% of all mulch sold in Florida is cypress mulch. While some of it consists of by-products of the forest industry, whole trees are also cut down for the sole purpose of making mulch. Look at alternatives, such as pine needles, pine bark, mixed hardwood mulch, eucalyptus, and melaleuca mulch. The pine and hardwood mulches are by-products of industry, while melaleuca is an invasive tree, and eucalyptus, a non-native tree, is grown on plantations for the purpose of mulching.
Next, start a compost bin or pile, in order to recycle yard waste and improve your garden soil.
Be sure to recycle whatever you can.
You can join a local conservation organization which interests you.
Another worthwhile option would be to actually become a Florida Master Gardener or Master Naturalist. For more info, call the Osceola Extension Office at 321-697-3000.
Now for the celebration options! Take a walk and just observe the beauty of nature around you. Finding wildflowers, plants, trees, birds, butterflies, and larger wildlife can be a continuing adventure. A fringe benefit is that walking even benefits your health.
The last and most exciting option is to take a trip to a natural place for an adventure. We have National seashores, state parks, county parks, city parks, and preserves to choose from. We are fortunate to have such a wide variety of scenery available to us. This includes lakes, woodlands, prairies, wetlands, all plants, animals, and even an ocean and a Gulf.
Happy Earth Day!
