Earth Day is April 22, and there are so many fun and exciting ways to celebrate! Whether you plan on staying close to home, taking a day trip, or venturing out in Columbia, there are lots of ways to commemorate the day.
Celebrating at Home
- Take a walk in your neighborhood
- Sign a petition online
- Donate to an environmental cause
- Write to your congressman about protecting the Earth
- Work in the yard then play hard. Yard work is no joke! Take a few minutes to do some. Then enjoy some your accomplishment by playing outdoors: A ball, sidewalk chalk and bubbles are cheap and easy to pass a little time outside. Or why not make a bird house or bird feeder?
- Online printables can teach your kids about environment conservation (you may even learn a thing or two!)
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in your home. Not only will you feel better, you’ll be doing your part to protect our environment
- Watch a documentary or movie about the Earth – the options are extensive
- Read a book about the Earth, like Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax or Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree
- Start a garden – It’s especially helpful if you use plants that deter mosquitoes and attract endangered bees (unless you’re allergic)! Did you know that you can even plant gardens in apartments and window sills?
Celebrations Around Columbia
- Thursday, April 20: Richland Library Main Downtown will provide materials for you to plant a Redbud sapling! Visit the second floor of the library.
- Friday, April 21: Saluda Shoals Park – Learn how to put together a beautiful garden at Lexington Master Gardeners Jamboree.
- Friday, April 21: Fort Jackson Golf Club – Get out on the green with the McDaniels Golf Classic, a Golf tournament that benefits the Palmetto Health Cancer Centers.
- Saturday, April 22: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden – Party for the Planet: Healthy Kids Day. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, in partnership with YMCA of Columbia, is pleased to present Party for the Planet at Riverbanks in conjunction with Healthy Kids Day®. This year’s fun-filled celebration will “put play in your day” as party-goers engage in interactive and exciting educational activities, games, cooking, gardening and and fitness demonstrations.
- Saturday, April 22: Richland Library North Main location – Kids can make Earth Day crafts, do activities, and hear a story that relates to Earth Day, 3-4 p.m.
- Saturday, April 22: EdVenture – Stop on by for an exciting Earth Day Celebration! There will be stories, games, a scavenger hunt, painting, art projects, and more!
- Saturday, April 22: Walk MS at the Riverfront Park – Participate in a walk for a good cause while taking in our local natural beauty. This walk benefits Multiple Sclerosis Research.
- Saturday, April 22: Lexington Medical Center’s Heart and Sole Women’s Five Miler – This is a women’s only walk to raise awareness about the risk of heart disease in women.
- Tour Little Known Local Gardens: Carolina Children’s Garden – This area is a two-acre garden located on the Clemson University/Sandhills campus. The garden has twelve themed gardens where children explore, play, and learn in a natural environment of birds and butterflies along with storybook characters like Winnie the Pooh and Peter Rabbit.
- Hit the Park – Columbia boasts many local parks, including a State Park and even a National Park! Have you heard of geocaching? So much to do…
Celebrate with a Day Trip
- Aiken – Aiken is a quick hour drive and has multiple events going on this weekend. There is a strawberry festival, colonial life trade fair, earth day celebration, and a dog walk.
- Rock Hill – A short trip up 77, you’ll find the Rock Hill Family festival with an Earth Day Birthday featuring over 40 exhibits, food, and more!