Wednesday, April 22 marks 50 years of celebrating Earth Day. Unlike the first 49, this one will be celebrated at home. 

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, had a goal of raising awareness about mankind’s role in protecting our natural world. On that day, 20 million Americans ventured outdoors and protested in favor of a more eco-conscious society and protecting the planet. Earth Day quickly became recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.

As a result of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, getting together this year as a community is not an option. However, that doesn’t mean families cannot celebrate Earth Day without wandering too far from home. 

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. 

Just a few ways to celebrate at home:

• Plant a tree.

• Create a terrarium.

• Build a fairy garden.

• Go on a field trip to the backyard.

• Craft a nature collage using leaves, flowers, pieces of bark, etc. 

• Education yourself about pollution.

• Watch a nature show.

• Pick up trash around you home or neighborhood.

• Begin a recycling program.

• Build a birdhouse.

• Make a pinecone and peanut butter bird feeder.

• Start a compost bin.

• Write down a pledge to change a negative habit to protect the Earth.

Climate action was selected for 2020 because climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.