Come visit the Monterey Festival of Birds, celebrating another year of connection with nature and community. Offered this year is a handful of free events like our Birders Night Market where theres plenty to see learn and do for the whole family. And even guided field trips to places not yet open to the public.
Monterey County & Santa Cruz County Earth Day Celebrations
Here are a variety of local events to help you celebrate!
MEARTH DAY | APRIL 6
This free, fun-filled, family-friendly event will include food, music, a kids’ zone, Eco-Exhibitors, Eco-Vendors, an Eco-Boutique, and a robust Silent Auction. This special event is a fundraiser in support of MEarth’s environmental education and stewardship programs across Monterey County.
MARINA EARTH DAY | APRIL 13
Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) invites the public to their 18th Annual Earth Day Celebration from 9 am to 1 pm at the Locke-Paddon Wetland Community Park. Come and enjoy live music, games, prizes, fun activities for children, face-painting, bird watching, and more. Organized by Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) and a host of community co-sponsors.
CARMEL EARTH & ARBOR DAY EVENT | APRIL 20
Let’s come together to celebrate people and our planet with tree planting, environmental initiatives, and community resources. Held at Devendorf Parkin Carmel.
ARMOR SALINAS EARTH DAY FESTIVAL | APRIL 20
Maintaining a healthy, safe, and vibrant Salinas is at the heart of AMOR Salinas. This year’s Earth Day Festival will be held in Central Park from 12-4 pm. The event features arts & crafts projects, environmental education, community resources, music and live performances, food trucks and more.
EARTH DAY SANTA CRUZ | APRIL 20
Earth Day Santa Cruz is an annual event bringing the community together to promote environmental stewardship, healthy living, and sustainability. Event is from 11:30 am to 4 pm and features a children’s activity booth from Children’s Discovery Museum among other activities.
MORGAN HILL 3RD ANNUAL EARTH DAY FESTIVAL | APRIL 20
Celebrate and learn about the environment at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center from 10 am-3 pm.
SEASIDE EARTH DAY CELEBRATION | APRIL 21
Seaside’s 13th Annual Earth Day event is happening from 1 pm to 4 pm, on the Seaside City Hall grounds. The afternoon will feature an Electric Vehicle Test Drive/Ride/Display Fair, music by Palenke Arts youth ensembles, a Trashion Fashion Show, Children’s fun arts and crafts, over 25 information booths, demos, and a raffle for eco-friendly prizes.
EARTH DAY WATSONVILLE | APRIL 21
This year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastic,” is a call to action to increase awareness of the health risks of plastic and advocate for a reduction in plastic pollution. With the ongoing climate crisis, we also recognize the value of continuing to inform residents about its effects on our community and how to adapt to the changing conditions. Participants will enjoy include bilingual education and activities.
DOWNTOWN SALINAS GREEN-UP CELEBRATION | APRIL 21
The cleaning and ‘greening’ starting at 9 am. You’ll be provided with compostable trash bags, gloves and buckets, plus brooms, dust bins, pickers and other tools to ensure Downtown looks awesome and green. A Continental breakfast is provided. Special gifts for all participants, live music to ‘Green’ with, and much more. Participants will be creating ‘green’ art, too!
Celebrating Earth Day Every Day
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd. United States senator (and prior two term governor) Gaylord Nelson, representing Wisconsin, initiated the first Earth Day in 1970. Following rallies and demonstrations, the United States government took note and established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over the years, local, state, and federal government bodies have enacted additional environmental protection legislation and requirements. Earth Day has evolved from a simple idea into a large environmental preservation movement and is now observed in over 190 countries worldwide.
We can all incorporate many things into our daily lives to participate in this movement. Supporting our natural resources can be simple, fun, and educational. Below are some easy ideas to jump-start your Earth Day (and every day) “green” actions.
Celebrating Earth Day Every Day:
1. Conserve Energy. Why are lights always left on when we aren’t even in the room? The sun is a beautiful and free resource for light. Open your blinds and enjoy natural rays of sunshine. Another way to conserve energy is to switch out conventional light bulbs for LED energy-efficient ones.
Does your TV run needlessly all day and night? How about a family “Screens OFF Day!” By teaching our children (and ourselves) to take a break from screens, we spark a sense of wonder and imagination.
2. Commit to Saving Water. We would save hundreds of gallons of precious water if we could all commit to shutting off the water while brushing our teeth. How about only running the dishwasher when it is completely full, saving water and energy?
3. Recycle. Recycling eliminates excessive and harmful waste in landfills while protecting much of our wildlife and ecosystem. Your local waste management company’s website should have plenty of information on permissible recycled items. Most companies accept cans, newspapers, boxes, and more.
4. Create Your Garden. How about a community garden? Gardens can bring beauty and food to a community while also improving the soil and helping to reduce carbon emissions.
5. Reduce Dependence on Gasoline. Exercising is good for the mind, body, and environment. Remember when walking to the local candy shop was a novelty, and half the fun was the journey getting there? Although the improved technology of electric and hybrid cars has given us an alternate option to gas, sometimes “old-fashioned walking” still remains the best choice. Try walking the next time you need to pick up milk at the market. Your kids may just thank you for the fun adventure.
6. Reuse. Reusing water bottles, washable straws, and food containers can be simple. More stores now offer bulk cleaning, beauty, and food products with zero-waste initiatives. Plus, you can purchase only the needed amount at any given time. You can also save money and avoid plastics by bringing your bags to the store. Have your kids design blank tote bags for a fun activity in honor of Earth Day.
7. Plant a Tree. Planting trees are a wonderful way to fight the ever-growing effects of climate change. Trees release oxygen back into the air by soaking up and storing carbon dioxide. Many birds and small animals also call trees their homes.
8. Shop with Purpose. Want a new book? How about checking it out at your local library instead of purchasing it online? Need ski clothes for your kids for an upcoming winter trip? Consignment and thrift stores have great offerings. You can also get creative and “green” by using second-hand items in your home and office too. One’s trash is another’s treasure!
9. Spread the GREEN News. Be a positive influencer by promoting “green efforts” to friends and family. Post Earth Day and everyday “green” efforts on social media and emails. “Green” news is good news!
10. Attend Earth Day Events. Check out the calendar for local events to celebrate Earth Day.
Ilana Bofford Entin is the owner of BluePrint Communications LLC, a full-service boutique public outreach and communications firm. Ilana lives on the Central Coast with her husband and has two children and a labradoodle.
Earth Day Book Recommendations for Kids
Happy Earth Day! by Deborah Hopkinson
This fact-filled Little Golden Book is about Earth Day—what it is and why it’s important—and offers suggestions for actions kids can take to help protect and heal our planet. Includes directions for family-friendly projects, such as composting, growing baby carrots on a windowsill, making a bug hotel, and more. (Ages 2-5)
I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids by James McDonald
I Am Earth introduces kids to the basic concepts of Earth science while also encouraging the importance of taking care of our special planet through environmental awareness and sustainability. In this book for beginners, kids learn what makes our planet so uniquely special and how people can work together to keep it a healthy home. (Ages 3-5)
My First Book of Earth: All About Our Planet for Kids by Stephanie Manka Schuttler PhD
From the clouds way up above us to the liquid core miles beneath our feet, there are so many amazing things about Earth. See what makes our home planet so special with this introduction to land, sea, and sky for kids. They’ll explore the continents, how the weather works, the important jobs of trees and plants, and so much more! (Ages 4-7)
My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan
Written by a Newbery Award–winning author, this spectacular picture book is a valentine to our wonderful planet. Readers of all ages will pore over the pages of this children’s book that is bursting with color and texture. Its enticing pages feature clever cut-outs, flaps, and curved contours that encourage exploration as its poetic text celebrates everything Earth does for us, all the while reminding us to be a good friend in return. (Ages 3-5)
Recycling Is Fun: My Little Planet by Charles Ghigna
Children learn that sorting, recycling, and giving new life to old things is not only good for the environment. (Ages 2-5)
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French
In this informative book on recycling for children, you will find everything you need to know about our environment. The good, the bad and the incredibly innovative. From pollution and litter to renewable energy and plastic recycling This educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth and the big impact we can make by the little things we do. (Ages 4-8)
Why Should I Recycle?: Helping Kids Take Care of Planet Earth by Jen Green
A great book to explain to children in simple terms and concepts why recycling is so important and what they can do every day to help protect the planet. (Ages 4-6)
Think Green This Thanksgiving
It’s the time of year when we gather around the table with family and close friends to enjoy a large, scrumptious meal and think about what we are grateful for in our lives. Yet, Thanksgiving can also get a bit out of control with all the decorations and trimmings.
Here are some tips to make your Thanksgiving holiday a bit more sustainable without having to sacrifice tradition.
Food
- Choose organic and locally grown foods when you can.
- Serve organic beverages like apple cider, juice, wine, and beer.
- Reduce waste by composting leftovers or creatively reusing the food to make soups, stews, salads, and sandwiches.
- Be mindful of which food items you purchase at the grocery store to avoid those wrapped in all of that excessive plastic, such as dips and pre-packaged fruit salads.
Storage
- Glass Containers: These are a great option for storing, heating up, and transporting all kinds of foods and liquids. Their secure lids keep liquids from leaking.
- Mason Jars and Leftover Glass Jars: You can purchase mason jars to store your food in or instead of just tossing glass jars from pickles, pasta sauce, and salsa into your recycle bin, wash them out and use them to store your leftovers.
- Insulated Stainless Steel Containers: These durable, long-lasting containers are double-walled and have a silicone seal for airtightness so they can keep food and liquids warm or cold.
- Reusable Non-Plastic Wraps: One of the most innovative ways to store food without using plastic wrap is to use reusable wraps. They are made from a blend of hemp and organic cotton cloth that contains beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil to create a self-adhesive to stick to itself so you can create sealed packages and pouches. They are water-resistant, easy to handle, pliable, and come in a variety of sizes.
- Fabric Bowl Covers: Use the bowls you already have and slap a fabric bowl cover on top.
Serving Dishes
- Bring out the good china, silverware, and eloquent tablecloths to reduce the usage of plastic plates and cups.
- If you do need to go disposable, choose paper (recycled is best), bamboo, or even those made from palm leaves.
- Use real wine glasses—not plastic ones—and don’t serve your drinks with plastic straws or stirrers
Decorations
- Go natural: Instead of running to the stores stocked with plastic decorations, consider decorating your home more naturally by using items like plants, berries, gourds, acorns, twigs and branches, cranberry garlands, and colorful flowers and leaves. You can go for a lovely hike outdoors a couple of days before the holiday to collect your special nature décor.
- Make your own: Make some of your own decorations out of non-plastic materials you have lying around the house.
- Shop second hand: Check out local thrift stores, online sites like freecycle.org, and garage sales for some treasures that can add a sparkle to your holiday look.
- Trade with friends and family: Another way to cut back on new decorations is to organize a decoration swap with friends and family. You can even ask your guests to bring their favorite Thanksgiving decoration to display during the meal and share why it is meaningful to them.
Give Thanks and Give Back
Are you looking for a place to donate food items this Thanksgiving? Please consider Al & Friends. This local group serves nutritious hot meals weekly to anyone who is hungry, no questions asked, every Sunday morning and holidays at Window On The Bay, located across from McDonalds in Monterey.
To donate, call (831) 402-0820 or email alvinsiekert@gmail.com. Find out more about the organization at www.alandfriends.org.
Earth Day Crafts Your Kids Will Love
Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year. It’s a great time to focus discussion with your family on how important conservation is and what we can do as a family.
Here are a few ideas for fun crafts to celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day Seed Bombs
Planting seeds is a great way to kick off summer and seed bombs are a great way to get your planting started. Use leftover supplies you have on hand to make this eco-friendly.
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EARTH DAY SLIME
Face it, kids love slime, and making this sparkly green and blue slime will keep them engaged long enough to have a great conversation about what Earth Day is and how it started. You probably have all of the ingredients on hand but if not, a quick trip to Michaels or Joann Fabrics will do the trick.
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EARTH DAY COOKIES
The Earth looks pretty tasty when you use a sugar cookie base and a little blue and green food coloring to make these pretty cookies.
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SALT DOUGH EARTH DAY NECKLACE
Whip up a batch of simple salt dough and let the kids create and decorate these pretty Earth necklaces. You’ll also need some silk cord, leather cord, or satin ribbon for hanging and a few beads. Make a bunch and you could create a pretty wall hanging, garland, or mobile.
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Bottle Terrarium
Use a recycled plastic soda bottle to make one of these terrariums. A few small plants, some rich soil, pebbles, and charcoal are all you need to create a pretty craft that kids can keep in their room and enjoy.
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