This year, 2020, marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.
Look around you, Earth Day isn’t just one day, it’s everyday! We may be challenged by social and physical distancing, but we can still come together in our effort to celebrate our environment. Don’t stop there, celebrate each day as if it were Earth Day!
celebrate with us virtually
Fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate support for a healthy, sustainable environment during the nation’s first Earth Day celebration. In recent years, Earth Day has grown to be celebrated globally in more than 193 countries.
In 2020, Earth Day activities around the globe are going virtual.
In fact, you can join us in participating in the 12 Days of Earth Day challenge or one of many offerings we are hosting on social media.
So you missed the livestreams?
Don’t worry, you can still view all of the Earth Day activities on Facebook or take a dive into some of the content just below.
Recycle Right Presentation & Q&A
Learn all about proper recycling practices in this video presentation that not only educates, but has fun while doing it!
Presenters: Ashley Krug & Laurie Duncan from the City of Springfield Environmental Services Department
Backyard Composting presentation & Q&A
This presentation included all things composting to help those who are interested in starting their very own home compost site to those who are already practicing but need additional tips and assistance.
View presentation slides.
Presenter: Justine Campbell, Springfield Compost Collective
Picnic in Place Low Waste Lunch
Where: We encourage everyone to go outside in their yard and enjoy nature while they enjoy their lunch.
Participate in the 12 Days of Earth Day Challenge and share photos of your low waste lunch and picnic in place in the comments on our event page!
Check out this site for fun ways to make your low-waste lunch a success outdoors.
Virtual South creek Tour & Kick-Netting Demo
This presentation discusses water quality and how it relates to the South Creek restoration project (and others) with an additional fun, quick kick-netting demonstration and explanation.
Presenter: Todd Wilkinson & Brenton Stock, James River Basin Partnership
Tree Planting Ceremony Demo & Discussion
Mary & John planted a tree at the new Ozark Greenways headquarters near Chestnut Expressway-where OG got its start in the late ‘80’s as Project Parkway. Learn more about the organizations roots and pick up some tips on tree planting-some helpful and some not.
Presenter: Mary & John, Ozark Greenway
A few additional resources for a successful planting:
MDC Tree Care Tips
Tree City Resources
12 Days of earth day challenge
Join us for a virtual Earth Day 2020 celebration!
We’ve got a different community challenge each day for the next 12 days starting on Sunday, April 19th through Thursday, April 30. Follow along and participate on Facebook!
Choose as many or as few of the challenges you’d like to do!
Keep track of your own points, and at the end of the month share your total points with us on social media for a chance to win a prize.
Use this list to help you get started!
Trash to Treasure Day Sunday, April 19
Challenge 1: Create a sustainable craft using items that might be considered “trash”.
Some ideas to get you started can be found on our Sustainable Crafts page (1 pt)
Challenge 2: Take a photo of your craft and post it to social media with the tag #SGFEarthDay (1 pt)
Challenge 3: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT
On average, a Missourian creates 7.6 lbs of trash every day! Calculate how many pounds of trash would be sent to the landfill in one day for every citizen in the city of Springfield. (1 pt)
Make A Pledge Day Monday, April 20
Challenge 1: Make a pledge to do something different that will help our environment and/or community.
Write it down. (1pt)
Challenge 2: Post a picture on any social media with your pledge and encourage your friends to share it.
Use hashtag #SGFEarthDay (1pt)
Challenge 3: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT
How would our community be affected if everyone took your same pledge?Share your thoughts with us by commenting on our post. (1 pt)
Walk in a park day Day Tuesday, April 21
Challenge 1: Take a walk anywhere outside and track your distance (1pt)
Challenge 2: Post a picture of your walk on any social media with the hashtag #SGFEarthDay (1pt)
Challenge 3: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT
Estimate if everyone in our City took the same walk as you, how many miles would our city have walked? (1 pt)
Celebrate Earth Day! Wednesday, April 22
Challenge 1: Create a social media post wishing everyone a Happy Earth Day and use the hashtag #SGFEarthDay. Include the number of points you earned in the past 3 days on your post.(1pt)
Challenge 2: Check out the Community Earth Day Virtual Event Schedule and participate in activities. (1pt each)
Challenge 3: Create a low-waste lunch and post your pictures of your Picnic in Place, tagging #SGFEarthDay. Check out these tips for how to create a low waste picnic. (1pt)
Native Plant Day Thursday, April 23
Challenge 1: Did you know that Springfield is a member of the Mayors Monarchs Pledge, an initiative of the National Wildlife Federation which focuses on creating habitat for the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators? Research and pick a native plant that would attract pollinators to your yard or environment and explain why pollinators matter. (1 pt)
Challenge 2: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT
How would our community benefit from more plants that attract pollinators?
Post your answer to the comments of this event for an additional point. (1 pt)
Nature Art Day friday, April 24
Challenge 1: Using only physical things found in nature, make a piece of natural art. (1pt)
Challenge 2: Post a picture of your work on any social media with the hashtag #SGFEarthDay (1pt)
litter pick up Day saturday, April 25
Challenge 1: Go on a walk on a Springfield trail or in a park. Take a trash bag with you and fill the trash bag with litter you find. (2pts)
Challenge 2: Post a picture of your work on any social media with the hashtag #SGFEarthDay (1pt)
Challenge 3: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT: Count how many bags of trash your family collected. How many bags of trash could be removed from our public places if everyone in our city collected the same number of bags that you just did? (1pt)
parade for the planet Day sunday, April 26
Challenge 1: Decorate your bike or wagon using recycled materials . Go for a walk around the neighborhood and show your family’s parade for the planet (maintaining social distancing of course!) (1 pt)
Challenge 2: Take a photo and post your “parade” to social media using the hashtag #SGFEarthDay (1 pt)
Flush Responsibly Day monday, April 27
Challenge 1: Count the number of times your family flushes the toilet in one day. If an average toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush, how many gallons did your family use today? (1 pt)
Challenge 2: Post your number to the comments of this event for an additional point. (1 pt)
citizen science Day Tuesday, April 28
Challenge 1: Today, you can be a Citizen Scientist! Join a citizen science project. Visit scistarter.org/citizen-science for project ideas and comment on this event to get a point by sharing the project you’re participating in. (1 pt)
single use smackdown Day wednesday, April 29
Challenge 1: Today we’re challenging you to use as many reusable substitutes to single use items as possible. Post a picture of you with your reusable item (for example, reusable straw, cup, shopping bag, sandwich bag, etc) tagging #SGFEarthDay (1pt)
Challenge 2: OUR COMBINED EFFORTS MAKE ONE BIG IMPACT According to www.earthday.org, Americans use approximately 13 plastic water bottles each month. If everyone in our City were to stop using plastic water bottles, how many bottles would we eliminate in one year? (1 pt)
"what’s your footprint?" Day Thursday, April 30
Challenge 1: How many earth’s would it take if everyone lived like you? Visit footprintcalculator.org to calculate your family’s ecological footprint. (1 pt)
Challenge 2: Create a social media post telling people about your footprint and how you might be able to reduce that number tag #SGFEarthDay. (1 pt)
Activities & Crafts not just for the kids
We love the natural environment, sustainability and crafts! As part of our education program, we integrate activities and crafts as a bridge to teach environmental topics and sustainable practices. Grab your family and enjoy our specially curated Earth Day scavenger hunt or pull out the crayons, flex that creative muscle and color in a coloring sheet with our favorite little Globie!
Check out some of our other fun crafts and activities!
MAyor’s proclamation earth day, it’s a big deal
On this day, April 22, 2020, Ken McClure, Mayor of the City of Springfield, Missouri, issued the proclamation that today is EARTH DAY 2020.
Read the full Proclamation here!