Earth Day is this Thursday, April 22, but there are local events scheduled through the weekend! Choose to celebrate by participating in a virtual learning event, assisting in a community clean-up or just having some good green-themed fun.
Learn:
NCC’s Sustainability Symposium: Northampton Community College will host a virtual Earth Day celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday. Topics include food accessibility; environmental activism; economy, politics and trade in a warming world; creating a better environment for the BIPOC community and more. Join the Zoom conversation here!
facebook.com | northampton.edu
Virtual Speaker at Lehigh University: Part of Lehigh University’s Earth Month celebration, Dr. Julian Agyeman, professor of urban and environmental planning at Tufts University, will speak virtually about "just sustainabilities" as a response to the equity deficit in policy, planning and practice. Pre-registration is required for the talk, which begins at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Earth Day at the Farm: Learn about Rodale Institute’s mission, programs and new opportunities through an Earth Day at the Farm event. While you're there, enjoy live music, activities and eats from Blendlife Food Truck. The Rodale Institute Mobile Market will also be selling organic veggies on site. The fun runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday.
facebook.com | rodaleinstitute.org
Contribute:
Downtown Easton: The volunteer-led Design Committee of Easton is hosting a city-wide clean-up day on Saturday. The focus will be on weeding and mulching the median on Larry Holmes Drive in preparation for the Easton Farmers’ Market. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon. You must wear a mask. Bring some gardening tools and bottled water. Email kim@eastonpartnership.org if interested.
West Ward Easton: Easton Garden Works and the West Ward Community Initiative are hosting a West Ward clean-up day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The focus will be on sprucing up Veile Street Garden by building raised beds and adding mulch; filling 13 planters along Walnut and Ferry Streets; and cleaning up Paxinosa Garden by weeding and mulching. Email amy@eastonpartnership.org to register.
Monocacy Creek: Clean the trails along Monocacy Creek from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Afterward, enjoy a mindful outdoor experience in the form of a one-mile walk along the creek to explore the nooks and crannies. There will also be a 20-minute meditation!
South Whitehall Township: Spread mulch, plant flowers, pick up trash and beautify our park system this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. All volunteers should meet at Covered Bridge Park in the morning. There will be light refreshments, food and community comradery at noon after the clean-up. Register here.
Play:
Go-Green Challenge: For a chance to win a gift basket filled with sustainability-themed items from local shops in Easton (a $50 value), take a photo of one of your green habits (using a reusable water bottle, composting, biking to work) and send it to gardens@eastonpartnership.org. The winner will be announced during Easton Out Loud on Saturday.
Wine and Nature Weekend: Head to Sorrenti Family Estate Winery, Distillery & Pizzeria this weekend for an Earth Day special! On Saturday, a nature walk kicks off at 1 p.m. from the trailhead of the Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge. Each guest will receive a voucher for a free glass of wine that can be redeemed after the walk. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here. A separate litter pick-up event will be held that Sunday at 11 a.m.—no tickets required.
Party for the Planet: The Lehigh Valley Zoo is hosting a “Party for the Planet” all week long. On Earth Day, there will be an activity table focusing on the importance of native pollinator plants. And don’t miss the Fishy Funday Raffle—trade in an activity token any time between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Thursday for a raffle ticket and be entered to win an exclusive Otter Feeding Encounter.
Earth Day Crafts: The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley will celebrate Earth Day from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Visit Suite 204 to paint your “helping hand” to stamp on the windows! Kendal Conrad will also be performing live at the patio all afternoon.
