The Champaign County Climate Coalition (C4) is announcing a community-wide Earth Day celebration that will highlight resources and stewardship opportunities throughout East-central Illinois. Earth Day for Everyone will take place from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Small-group volunteer opportunities, independent activities, virtual programming and YouTube videos will offer a variety of ways to participate while maintaining COVID safety. The Earth Day for Everyone public Facebook page will act as the information hub for activities, resources, and more: https://www.facebook.com/EarthDay4Everyone. (Even people who do not have a Facebook account can view all of the information.) Facebook users are encouraged to “Like” and follow the page for the most up-to-date information and opportunities.
Your participation in Earth Day for Everyone might include
- visiting a local park with the option to pick up trash or help remove invasive plants,
- tuning up and riding your bike,
- adopting a natural lawn-care approach,
- planting a garden, or
- taking actions to reduce waste sent to landfills.
Participants are invited to use the hashtag #EarthDay4Everyone to share their own photos and experiences on social media.
There is also an Earth Day for Everyone Google Calendar where you can search for opportunities by date to find something that fits your schedule: http://ow.ly/2yF350EiTGz.
In addition to programming and stewardship opportunities, Earth Day for Everyone has created a YouTube Channel at http://ow.ly/Jjem50EnMgP so you can watch videos any time on topics that interest you. Playlists include videos on natural lawn care approaches, growing native plants, energy, climate, and more!
If you are interested in networking with local professionals in sustainability and learning about how you can contribute to local climate action throughout the year, join C4’s “Virtual Green Drinks: Panel on Local Action” on Friday, April 30 from 6-7:30pm. This Zoom session will start with introductions of the panelists and their work, then transition to breakout rooms where you can discuss opportunities and ideas. To participate in this free event, simply register here: http://ow.ly/Oa6d50El88E.
“Even though we aren’t able to host large in-person gatherings for Earth Day, we still feel it’s important to celebrate and to unite our community in acting against climate change,” said Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager for the Urbana Park District. “Each person’s actions really do matter. Even small acts can build up to create big environmental change.”
Earth Day for Everyone planning partners include the Urbana Park District, UI Extension, East-Central Illinois Master Naturalists, City of Urbana, Champaign Park District, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Idea Store, Solidarity Gardens CU, and the Institute for Sustainability Energy & Environment at UIUC.
About the Champaign County Climate Coalition (C4)
The Champaign County Climate Coalition (C4) empowers individuals and groups in Champaign County to create equity and resilience through education, relationship-building and responsive action to counter climate change. Together, we work toward our vision of thriving, proactive, and climate-resilient communities. Follow C4 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChampaignCountyClimate.
