Earth Day 2024: The 54th Earth Day is Monday, April 22. So what is Earth Day? how did this happen How do we celebrate Earth Day? Here are 10 ways to understand, appreciate and respect our beautiful planet, plus a fun Earth Day contest!
At Den Gamle Bondealmanak, we believe that we are custodians of nature, plants and the Earth and that each of us has a responsibility. Our planet needs our help to thrive. Earth Day activities range from cleaning rivers to removing invasive plants.
What is Earth Day?
Have you ever wondered how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, when San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin state senator Gaylord Nelson called on Americans to participate in popular protests. Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides, an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population—ventured outdoors and protested together.
President Richard Nixon led the nation in creating the Environmental Protection Agency, which was followed with successful laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
McConnell originally had chosen the spring equinox (March 20, 1970), but Nelson chose April 22, which ended up becoming the official celebration date. (Given that the date of the spring equinox changes over time, it may have made things more complicated to go with the astronomical event rather than just a calendar date.)
Today, not only is Earth Day meant to increase awareness of environmental problems, but it is also becoming a popular time for many communities to gather together to clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature. Further down the page, we’ve provided a list of activities and projects that you can do to improve your local environment!
When Is Earth Day 2024?
Earth Day is always celebrated on April 22. Then comes Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.
When is Earth Day?
World Earth Day Year
- Monday, April 22, 2024
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Thursday, April 22, 2027
Earth Day Contest
- Find the answers to these five questions at the bottom of this page! (Don’t look!)
- How much of the plastic we throw away every day is recycled?
- What is the best way to keep our land and farmland in better condition than before? How much time does the average person spend in nature to improve their physical and mental health?
- What do bees collect from flowers?
- How much edible food is wasted?
10 Earth Day activities and ideas
Celebrate Earth Day by appreciating and respecting the natural world. Here are some ideas to inspire you this year.
1. Support our pollinators!
Bring native bees and other pollinating creatures into your garden.
Choose pollinator-friendly plants, such as plants that attract butterflies, plants that attract hummingbirds, and flowers that attract pollinating bees.
Learn about native bees (super pollinators!) and create a native beehive (similar to a birdhouse!). Here are some ways to help the pollinators in your garden.
2. Clean nearby plastic products
One of the best ways to connect with the Earth is through cleaning. Walk around with a trash bag to help clean up any plastic you find. You may know of a trash-contaminated ditch or drainage area near you! Yes
You will begin to realize that plastic permeates every aspect of our lives. But as the world wakes up to its reliance on plastic, how easy will it be to ditch plastic as we grow and store more food? Don’t forget to recycle as much plastic as possible. Consult our plastic recycling chart.
3. Go to the park today!
Find a green space today. Enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being outdoors! Find out why spending time outdoors is good for your mind and body. Earth Day is also National Parks Week. Explore the parks around you and plan a trip to one of our beautiful national parks soon!
This summer, consider whether you can walk or bike while running errands or visiting family and friends. It’s good for your body and the planet!
4. Plant a tree!
We love our trees! They capture carbon, cool extremely hot places, benefit agriculture, support pollinators, reduce the risk of disease transmission and boost local economies.
Did you know that planting a single oak tree attracts a wider variety of insects and birds than planting an entire nursery? Talk to your local council about planting more native trees and flowerbeds in public spaces, or consider planting your own trees and flowerbeds on your property! See tips for planting new trees.
Another way to shake things up is to get rid of printed seed or plant catalogs. When you receive an unwanted catalog in the mail (especially a large catalog!), contact the company and ask them to remove it from their print list.
5. Use wildflowers and native plants
Wildflowers and native species are not only beautiful, but they also attract beneficial native insects, improving pest control and pollination, which means bigger flowers and better crops. Just try adding a few native plants to your garden each year and you’ll be amazed at the difference – they’ll attract pollinators and birds!
Learn about native plants, why they are important, and plant lists.
We’ll show you how to grow wildflowers and review a list of our five favorite highly adaptable wildflowers, as well as wildflower varieties by region.
6. Reduce, reuse and recycle in the garden
Taking care of yourself and nature means reducing waste and saving money. Who can argue with that? If you are a gardener, here are some ideas:
When you know you’ll need a lot of topsoil, mulch, compost, or other materials, buy in bulk. This helps reduce plastic bags. Many garden centers will deliver directly to your garden. Also check with your city’s recycling center or Department of Transportation—they may have free compost, soil, sand, or other materials.
Recycle, recycle or recycle old plastic tubs and trays. Learn six ways to recycle pots and containers, plus how to recycle common household items used in the garden and save money!
Plant the pot directly in the ground! Here are 10 biodegradable pots.
7. Stop using lawn chemicals
Most novice gardeners we know want to start growing without the use of chemicals or pesticides, in an efficient and money-saving way. Many simply focus less on the plants and more on the health of the soil that supports them. Plants will thrive if the soil is rich in nutrients and organic matter.
Learn how to use organic soil amendments to transform your poor garden soil into a nutrient-rich paradise for plants to thrive.
You don’t need chemicals to get rid of pesky garden pests – learn how to control pests in your organic vegetable garden. Some insects are great for the garden! Below is a list of some of the most beneficial insects in the garden, with photos and tips for attracting them.
It’s easy to use organic plant fertilizers made from just herbs and water. Is it weird to make plant foods from other plants? This is how nature works! This is a simple organic compost recipe. Horticultural and agricultural practices such as no-tillage, off-season cover crops, and crop rotation (and grazing) help retain organic matter in the soil.
8. Save water!
We waste a lot of water. Understanding your garden’s true needs can help you avoid overwatering your plants and improve their health. Avoid watering vegetables and garden plants from above, as this can encourage fungal diseases. Groundwater level. Check out our top tips for watering your garden wisely or our video showing 10 smart watering tips.
For gardens, flower beds, trees and other areas without grass, consider installing a drip irrigation system or a hose with watering holes to bring water directly to the ground where you need it. If you must use sprinklers, set a timer. Use rain barrels to collect rainwater from roofs, gutters and skylights. If you have a low-lying area, consider planting a rain garden, which collects runoff, filters pollutants, and provides food and shelter for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. See plans for “sun” and “shade” rain gardens.
9. Think about your diet!
Around a third of the food we produce each year is wasted! This usually happens after buying food. How can we avoid waste (and save money) in our lives? Also, how can we improve our diets to make ourselves (and the planet) healthier? Consider these ideas:
- 1. Buy more seasonal foods instead of foods you know are out of season.
- 2. Eat more plants and less meat to improve your overall health and reduce your carbon footprint. (Try a meatless Monday, or cut your meat portion in half and double your vegetable portion.)
- 3. Compost or recycle food scraps.
- 4. Drink lots of water (and bring a washable water bottle). 5. Avoid single-use containers and bags, styrofoam and excessive packaging.
10. Get your kids involved!
That children love nature and plants. There are many opportunities for hands-on learning. Here are some ideas to do with the kids, including fun activities like planting a sunflower house!
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