Earth Day Projects

Earth Day is a global observation, celebrated annually on April 22nd. It is a day to make others aware of environmental issues, as well as honoring Mother Earth's gifts to us. A good way to spread awareness is to join others in Earth Day projects. Here are some ideas for you to do in your child's school or at home. The goals are to take care of Mother Earth, spread environmental awareness, and enjoy Earth's wonderful resources. Let's do something good for Earth.

Earth Day Projects for Schools:

• Start a Earth Day Promise Drive: John McConnell promoted the Equinox Earth Day with an Earth Day proclamation, in which signors promised to take care of Earth and find solutions to its problems. Draft something similar with students, where they promise to do act environmentally responsible. You can create a document, in which students sign and promise to: reduce, reuse, and recycle; throw trash away in the proper places; use a personal water bottle instead of buying water bottles; and turn off lights, televisions, computers, and game systems when not using them.
  
• School Clean-Up: Gather a group of volunteer adults and students to clear away debris on school grounds. Choose a weekend morning, to attract adults, who will have the time to volunteer outside a workweek schedule. Make sure to gather supplies, like gloves, garbage bags, drinks, and snacks. Divide groups of students with one adult leader and assign a particular part of the property for them to work in. Assign adult supervisors, who can rotate among the groups, solve problems, take garbage bags, and bring drinks. Make sure to tell kids that they shouldn't pick up anything sharp, like glass or metal. With division of jobs and safety measures, your group will enjoy their clean-up activity. The school and the Earth will appreicate your help.
• Grow a Garden: a great way to continue the school clean-up is to plant a garden. Decide with students and staff on what type of plants they'd like to plant. Find a good area of the school, which has good soil, sun, and protection. Some suggestions on gardens: plants for a butterfly garden (which will also need netting to keep the butterflies inside until release), fruit and vegetable (for snacks or the cafeteria), or local plants (also can be used for lesson plans). Ask for donations of money and plants from parents, area businesses, and nurseries. Divide interested gardener-students into teams and assign job duties, like planting, watering, caring. A school garden is a wonderful way to show students the idea of sustainability and giving back to Mother Earth.

Earth Day Projects for Families:

Families can also decide on fun projects to honor Mother Earth. Look at what types of activities your family normally enjoys. Do you hike or swim? Do you go to movies or watch T.V.? Look at things your family can do that would be better for the environment. 

• A 15-minute Race: On your next visit to a local park, start a 15-minute clean-up of the area. It can be next to your picnic table, the playground, by the lake, or on the trail. Pick an area, give everyone a bag, and start the clock. This game will only take 15 minutes, and as a race, kids will enjoy the fun. Think about how much you've helped the Earth by cleaning up litter.
  
• Start a small garden: at your home. If you have a small amount of space, you'll still have plenty of room for different types of gardens. Decide what you would like from your garden. Would you like herbs, which you can use to spice up family meals? Do you need an indoor plant to remove toxins? Maybe, you'd like some pretty, flowering plants to liven up the window sill. Have the kids help in choosing seeds or plants, decorating the pots, and caring the plants. 
• Plant some trees: if you'd like to reduce your household's energy use and beautify your land. Decide what types of trees you'd like and visit a nursery for advice on soil, care, and native plants. You'll be doing your part in reducing carbon dioxide, in addition to the benefits of reducing your home's energy use and increasing the property value.
• Party with a green theme: throw a party with eco-friendly products. Ask kids to create a menu of healthful dishes; use local growers for fresh foods; decorate table with a sheet (instead of paper, throwaway tablecloths); or leave the table bare with fresh flowers from your garden. Use your dishes and silverware, which you can wash and air dry after the party.  You'll have fun and be responsible in using Earth's resources.
• Have a clothing give-away: kids grow out of their clothes so quickly, so why not pass along some gently used clothes to friends? Have a joint party at someone's house, bring all gently used clothes in various sizes, and let the trading begin! After the give-away, take all leftover clothes to a women's shelter or another organization. You'll gain closet space, receive clothes, and share with people in need. What a wonderful way to share resources - a way to give to people who need it and keep those things from winding up in the landfill.

Earth Day Birthday:

Do you want another way to celebrate Earth Day? One of the best ways to celebrate is to find a group of environmentally conscious people. Earth Day Birthday is a global event to unite local Earth Day events and participants. Social Traffic is hosting the event, with the goal of spreading environmental awareness and responsibility. 

As in the first Earth Day events, Earth Day Birthday wants supporters who are passionate about saving Earth. They unite participants, who understand that people are the only ones to undo the damage being done and save it.

Social Traffic is hosting Earth Day Birthday as the biggest birthday party that Mother Earth has ever seen. A grassroots effort, quickly gaining worldwide support, Social Traffic invites everyone to find a way to make a difference in the world.

If you care about Earth and would like to join the party, find out more about Earth Day Birthday. We're making a difference together.