By: Ashmar Mandou
Earth Day is here -and the Earth needs us more than ever. From the assault on clean energy, the air we breathe and the water we drink, our public lands, and endangered species, need our help. Below are a few ways you can help make a difference as well as volunteer in local events occurring around Chicago this weekend.
Organize a cleanup
You can’t clean up the entire planet, but you can beautify a pocket of your neighborhood. Round up a group of like-minded friends and relatives to pick up trash at a local park or beach or along a popular hiking trail. Chores are always more fun when they become games, so have everyone bring along a reusable bag—you’ll sort the trash from the recyclables at the end—and compete to see who can pick up the most litter. The cleanup will be a good chance to give something back to your community and an opportunity to show younger participants the importance of reducing waste.
Start a compost bin
Many people don’t know that the organic food scraps we toss out release methane, a detrimental greenhouse gas, as they decay in the landfill. Earth Day is a great time to start cutting down on how much food you throw out by taking up composting. Composting promotes a circular food system that transforms scraps (and other organic materials, like paper towels) into regenerative and healthy soil. Making a compost pile in your yard or in an outdoor or indoor bin is easier than you think. You might also be able to find a compost drop-off point for certain food scraps at your local community garden or farmer’s market (just store scraps in the freezer until you’re ready to deliver them).
Find a local Earth Day festival
The road of environmental advocacy is long, which is why it’s important to remind yourself that you are not alone in this fight. Attending a local Earth Day gathering will allow you not only to connect with other activists but to also build momentum to make planet-friendly changes in your community. It’s also likely to be an instant mood booster. When you’re out celebrating, be sure to put your name on the mailing list of one of the participating environmental organizations, or exchange contact information with fellow attendees. Remember: Joining forces and combining talents is the only way we’ll be effective enough to meet our clean-future goals.
Local Earth Day Events
SCA Earth Day in Chicago
This April, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) is hosting 60 projects for Earth Day in honor of 60 years of SCA. Join SCA in Chicago to help restore the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, a unique 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness that is the largest stretch of natural area along Chicago’s lakefront. Volunteers will work at the McCormick Bird Sanctuary near the north end of the Corridor. SCA Earth Day in Chicago takes place Sunday, April 22nd at 9a.m., to noon at Burnham Wildlife Corridor, McCormick Bird Sanctuary, Chicago, IL 60616. Should you have questions, contact events@thesca.org or call 1-888-SCA-EVENTS.
Slow Food Chicago preSERVE Garden Volunteer Day
Slow Food Chicago’s second preSERVE garden volunteer day of the season will be April 21st which just happens to also be Earth Day. Get your hands dirty and help get the garden in good shape for the growing season ahead. Afterwards, stick around for a community snack with your fellow gardeners. RSVP to slowfoodpreserve@gmail.com. PreSERVE garden volunteer day will take place this Saturday at 10a.m., to noon at preSERVE Garden 1231 S. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60623.
Earth Day Celebration at Humboldt Park
Join the Chicago Park District for “Your Earth, Your Legacy,” the 29th Annual Chicago Earth Day community celebration and clean-up in Humboldt Park. We’ll be assembling at the boat house for a day of positive action and fun. The event will take place at 9a.m., to noon. Volunteers will clean and plant trees. Afterwards, celebrate with music and more from Left Setters, Opra-Matic, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and more. This event is co-sponsored by Friends of the Parks. Humboldt Park is located at 1440 N. Humboldt Boulevard.
One Earth Film Festival
Join the City of Chicago and One Earth Film Festival for free screenings of Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution in the city’s colleges, monuments and parks during the weekend of Earth Day, from April 19th to 22nd. Reserve your seat to one of the five screenings being held at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago; Mozart Park Field House, 2036 N. Avers Ave., Chicago; Jackson Park Field House, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago; Pullman National Monument, 11141 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago; and Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. For more information, visit www.oneearthfilmfest.org.
