In this special blog post, our Community Relations Coordinator, Shelby shares some simple yet impactful ideas for celebrating Earth Day and making a difference for the environment. Learn about ways to reduce plastic waste and food waste, how to pursue simple garden projects that support local wildlife, and more!
Earth Day is coming up on Monday, April 22! Every day should be Earth Day in my opinion, but I really love taking this day to pause, take stock of the season, and focus on my connection to the earth. This is a wonderful day to make dandelion preserves, complete some springtime repairs on a greenhouse, or design summer gardens-- but if you're a beginner to sustainability and are looking for some simple yet impactful ways to celebrate Earth Day, I'm happy to share a few ideas!
Hopefully this brief sustainability guide can serve as a source for inspiration and not as a checklist of items to complete. Everyone has different schedules, finances, and physical ability, so pursuing sustainability in celebration of Earth Day shouldn't feel like a competition or a chore. So don't put too much pressure on yourself, and enjoy this opportunity to connect with our beautiful earth!
Sustainability in the Home
Sometimes pursuing sustainability is as easy as replacing disposable plastics in the home with reusable materials! In the kitchen, swapping out paper towels for washcloths when possible can make a big difference and reduce significant household waste. I also love using a simple vinegar spray (half white vinegar and half water), or a homemade pine spray, as a basic cleaner in the kitchen. Since I'm making my own cleaner, I don't have to constantly purchase new plastic bottles. Plus, I love using simple ingredients for cleaning when possible.
I also really love using beeswax food wraps! These can be purchased online or in certain shops, and can be used for wrapping your food or covering bowls and cups of leftovers.
Another great way to pursue green living in the kitchen is to eat seasonally and locally when you can-- this is a great way to support our local economy and small-scale agriculture, while also indulging in the wonderful flavors that each growing season has to offer.
In the bathroom, we can also make a few simple swaps for Earth Day. Using items like toothpaste tablets and shampoo/conditioner bars in place of plastic tubes and containers can reduce the amount of plastic used in your household. I found some wonderful shampoo and conditioner bars at the Howell Farmer's Market last season, and there are toothpaste tablets (along with a range of other great sustainable items) at Quartz and Company in Howell!
Biodegradable luffas, made from the amazing luffa gourd, can be used in place of plastic luffas or sponges. If you're an avid gardener, it may even be fun to try growing your own luffas!
Sustainability in the Yard
It is fun, engaging, and rewarding to pursue sustainability in your own backyard. Consider shopping at local greenhouses or plant shops to get inspired for your own landscape! Some great places to try include Superior Landscape, Sprouts of Fenton - Berndt's Blooms, and others. I learn about a handful of new plants every year from strolling the aisles and choosing something new to plant. It's a wonderful experience and at the end of each season, I feel like I've increased my knowledge on plants, pollinators, and soil.
Something to keep in mind this Earth Day is the importance of native landscapes. Native plants, for example, tend to support a wider variety of bird, insect, and animal life than non-natives, and also have farther-reaching roots that prevent erosion. If you're interested in pursuing native plants but want to start small, consider converting a corner of your lawn into a mini pollinator garden! Beautiful flowers such as columbine, butterfly weed, coneflower, and others can host a huge variety of birds, bees, and insects, improving the biodiversity of your landscape and supporting our pollinator population! For inspiration on pollinator gardens, I highly suggest the following books from Cromaine Library:
- The Ultimate Wildlife Habitat Garden: Attract and Support Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
by Stacy Tornio - Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects by Scott Hoffman Black
- Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Doug Tallamy
I also recommend checking out local native plant shops! Ask the staff your burning questions about gardening and get some great ideas for growing. Some local businesses that come to mind include East Michigan Native Plants, Purdy Plants, and Superior Landscape. You may also find native plant businesses at farmer's markets this spring-- just another reason to visit your local markets!
If you're already familiar with native landscapes and are looking to build on that, I would recommend reducing your lawn by expanding cover crops in your outdoor landscape. Plants such as creeping thyme, red clover, and other groundcover plants are well-loved by pollinators, rarely need mowing, and make a gorgeous, colorful lawn. Try planting them at the borders of your garden beds and see how you like them!
Another wonderful way to help the earth this year is by reducing the amount of garbage that we accumulate. Food scraps contribute significantly to garbage, and can instead be composted. Composting systems can be as large as a giant scrap pile on a farm, or as small as an apartment compost system. Learn more about composting in every size in this blog post on the Cromaine Connector from 2021!
Sustainability on Socials
Another easy way to get inspired for Earth Day is to support our local wildlife and conservation organizations! Consider learning more about organizations such as the Michigan Nature Association, The Nature Conservancy, the Department of Natural Resources, Huron-Clinton Metroparks, and Legacy Land Conservancy. Give them a follow on the social media platforms of your choice to see timely updates on volunteer opportunities, sponsorship needs, wildlife news and education, and more!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about sustainable living for Earth Day this year. Every little thing we do to contribute to the health of our planet adds up when we all do our individual parts! Extraordinary change can come from simple actions, even if they feel small or simple in the moment.
As the weather warms, I hope you take the time to breathe deep and appreciate beautiful little moments of connection with our planet this year. Happy growing, happy spring, and happy Earth Day!