What do you do to celebrate Earth Day? Beyond an eco-friendly craft in elementary school, many of us traditionally do not celebrate it with much at all besides wearing green, or planting a tree, although those are great things to do. Recognized annually April 22, Earth Day is a time to reflect on our planet’s health and take action to protect it. This year, the Aurora Public Library District APLD) is sprouting some fantastic programs to celebrate Earth Day for all ages!
The simplest way to celebrate Earth Day is to find eco-friendly ways to help the planet. It’s a bonus if you have fun while doing them! Saturday, April 13, during our Service Saturday for an adult program at the Eola Road Branch, we’ll be creating seed bombs! Seed bombs are a fun and easy way to spread wildflower, or native plant seeds that attract pollinators. Pollinators, similar to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, play a vital role in our ecosystem, especially our food production. Unfortunately, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss. So, let’s build them a habitat, too!
The Bednarcik Environmental Club will teach us how to make a Bee Hotel Saturday, April 27, at the Eola Road Branch. Did you know that not all bees live in a colony? Some bees are solitary and need small spaces to hatch their larvae. These bee hotels will create safe places for those busy bees to thrive and continue their important work for the planet.
Earth Day is a day to appreciate the beauty and wonder of our planet. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature, explore the wonders of the world, and cultivate a sense of appreciation for the environment. Our discussion with Illinois State Park travel expert, Celeste Brown, Saturday, May 4 will help you discover new places to visit and explore, without having to travel far.
“It’s so important to escape the hustle of everyday life and enjoy nature,” said Library assistant, Rupangi Bakshi. “You can create lasting memories, usually for free!” Celeste will discuss the best times to enjoy State parks during different seasons and tips and tricks to keep you prepared. We will share information on recreational activities, including guided nature walks, wildlife-spotting, bird-watching, and stargazing sessions. Perhaps your observations will inspire you to create something useful or even beautiful.
Using recyclable materials to create something new is a fun and creative way to be eco-friendly all year round! It’s a great way to give old items new life and reduce waste. Monday, April 22 at the Eola Road Branch, participants will learn how to create unique braided coasters out of discarded T-shirts. When the shirts are cut into strips and stretched, it creates a soft yarn that can be used for all sorts of projects! The next day, Tuesday, April 23, teens at the Santori Library in Aurora will learn how to create self-watering planters out of recycled materials. What a relief to never forget to water your plants again! Both programs require registration, so contact the Library before all the spots fill up.
To learn about these and other Earth Day programs for all ages, visit our events page at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/events or contact the Library at 630-264-4117. Earth Day may be just one day a year, but its impact is far-reaching. By actively participating, you can create a positive influence on the health of our planet, our community, and yourself.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.