Whether you’re a Prius-driving vegan or a carnivorous monster trucker, it’s time to show your mother some love.
No, not your biological or adoptive mother – although showing them love and respect should always be a given – we’re talkin ‘about Mother Earth, and her special day, Earth Day, is happening Friday.
Forget what side of the political fence you’re on, we’re all riding around TOGETHER on this big, blue marble and we need to keep it healthy and happy.
You don’t have to shun deodorant. You don’t have to stomp around barefoot in the dirt at music festivals. You need to be an honest, responsible passenger on Earth … and if you’re reading this you are.
So until Elon Musk gets us all to Mars and offers up some sweet Red Planet digs (Don’t go crazy, that’s just a joke. Not that he won’t do it, but we need to take better care of this mother first. ) … pay attention and do your part to help.
Here are some local events that will bring awareness and will help educate about our precious home planet.
Celebrate Earth Day at Jonathan Dickinson park
Activities will take place from 9 am to 5 pm Fridayat the Kimball Education Center, including story time and crafts, trash pick up, a short presentation about choosing ecofriendly products called “This or That?”, A guided nature walk and more. Reservations recommended.
Information: 561-745-5551; friendsofjdsp.org/Events
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, 16450 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound.
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Dig in at Riverbend Park for a service event
Dig in and join Riverbend Park naturalists at 9:30 am Saturday to take part in park restoration, planting and overall park cleanup and beautification. In addition to planting and cleaning the park, participants will learn more about the facility and what the regular volunteers do. Free. Reservations not required.
Information: discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Riverbend/PublicPrograms.aspx
Riverbend Park, 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter
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Combine Earth Day and Arbor Day in Wellington
The Village of Wellington is celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day from 11 am to 1 pm Saturday with free event at Town Center Promenade.
Activities will include a cypress tree planting, butterfly orchids and native seedling giveaways, a free raffle for a jatropha tree, instruction on recycling, composting and proper tree pruning and a visit from Smokey the Bear.
And kids can join the recycling action by bringing old Legos (or donating new sets) as part of Bricks Busting Boredom. This local organization donates Legos to children in hospitals, homeless shelters and emergency shelters. (To date, they have donated more than 4,000 pounds of used Lego and 1,475 new Lego sets – let’s keep building on that!)
Information: www.wellingtonfl.gov/674/Earth-Day-Arbor-Day
Town Center Promenade, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
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Watch the Catwalk Student Fashion Show at the Norton
Celebrate Earth Day in style with a runway full of fashions created by local students who have constructed wearable art made from upcycled materials at Resource Depot’s 10th annual Catwalk Student Fashion Show. This year’s event will be part of the Art After Dark program at the Norton Museum of Art.
The fashion to be displayed on the runway were inspired by the Norton’s new exhibition of contemporary artists. Student designers were given access to Resource Depot’s treasure trove of reusable materials to construct wearable art for the “trashformation” challenge. They participated in weekly workshops to learn the basics of using a sewing machine, construction techniques, and receive guidance on how to incorporate the materials they chose.
The event kicks off at 6 pm Friday with an open studio and the fashion show at 7:30 pm There will be an after party with a DJ that will keep the energy pumping.
Missed the show? The amazing creations will be on display in the GalleRE at Resource Depot from April 26 through May 13.
Information: www.resourcedepot.org; www.norton.org
Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
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‘Bee’ positive at Grandview Public Market
Find out what the “buzz” is all about at the Earth Day-themed District Trading Company market featuring a bee colonization display, honey products and more from noon to 6 pm Saturday.
“Bees are an integral part of our ecosystem,” said Eric Baxter, founder of Baxter’s Bee Removal and president of the Palm Beach Beekeepers Association. “Bee populations are becoming endangered, and education is very important. Bees are necessary for growth of fruits and vegetables; honey production and even treatment of various medical conditions. ”
Information: www.grandviewpublic.com
Grandview Public Market, Elizabeth Ave., West Palm Beach
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Learn more about sustainability from an expert panel
Celebrate Earth Day with an insightful conversation spotlighting the important work each panelist is doing to support sustainability and making an impact on our community.
Moderated by Linda Tate Andrews, founder of Lila Life, the ‘Making An Impact: Sustainability Panel’ discussion will feature panelist Jennifer O’Brien, Jodi Swank, and Meredith Rollo. O’Brien is the executive director at Resource Depot, a creative reuse and learning center in West Palm Beach. Swank, along with husband Darren Swank, is the owner of Swank Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee and since 2002 has been growing high-quality produce. Rollo serves as the environmental services sustainability and outreach manager for NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power & Light.
Starting at 8:30 am Friday, the program is free with $ 10 VIP tickets that include reserved seats, complimentary parking and a gift bag.
Information: www.thesquarewestpalm.com/earth-day-panel
The Square, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach
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Enjoy Earth Day Sunshine and Stories at Mandel library
The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, in partnership with the West Palm Beach Library Foundation, will host this children’s event honoring Earth Day from 10 to 10:45 am Friday in the library’s City Center Courtyard. Attendees will enjoy music, movement, art songs, rhymes and great books during the outdoor story time.
The City of West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability will also be gifting attending families with a small Florida tree and / or wildflower seed to plant at home together. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket for comfortable seating during story time.
Information: wpbcitylibrary.libcal.com/event/8875176
Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
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Rub elbows with the critters at Daggerwing center
Celebrate Earth Day at Daggerwing Nature Center from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday and learn lots of simple ways we can all help the planet while having a good time. This family event will feature live animal encounters, interactive activities, butterfly plant sale, ladybug release and more.
Information: discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Daggerwing/ProgramCalendar.aspx
Daggerwing Nature Center, 1435 Park Access Road, Boca Raton
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Boost Mother Earth with a free tree from Boynton Beach
The City of Boynton Beach invites the community to celebrate Earth Day 2022. This free community event from 10 am to 1 pm Saturday will include a tree giveaway (200 native and fruit trees), bounce houses, face painting, music and more.
Information: GoGreenBoynton.com
120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach
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As Vanilla Ice once sang: “Word to your mother.”
Did he mean Mother Earth? Probably not; but whatever, let’s show her some love and respect on Friday and beyond for Earth Day.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings. He can be reached at eritz@pbpost.com.
