The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, inspiring 20 million Americans to demonstrate in the streets and parks for better environmental protections. To celebrate 55 years of Earth Day celebrations, here are five activities you can do to show your love for our natural world.
- Read a Book - You saw this one coming right? Of course, our librarians are going to recommend picking up a book about any topic to do with nature. Teens and adults might like learning about Jasmin Graham's journey to becoming a shark scientist in her memoir Sharks don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist.
- Grab some Seeds - Have you heard about our Seed Library?! It's true! You can come to the library and checkout seeds! Located behind the Reference Desk is a whole catalog of seed packets ready and waiting for you to take them home. Flip through the growing guide to find out more information about any plant, including what you should plant next to it and when. From veggies to native flowers, the seed library is ripe!
- Grab a seat - The grounds around the library are green and inviting. Find a bench or bring a blanket and spend some time touching grass. There are usually a number of birds in the trees and bees in the air. Once it blooms, check out our herb garden to see what goodies we have in our own backyard.
- Attend a program - Starting on April 24th, Rachelle Gage is starting a "Self-Sufficiency Series" that features information on different topics about growing your own food, saving water, and more! Register for the first program today, then come back for more as you grow in your self-sufficient journey!
Take and Make - Feeling inspired by the book you read and the program you attended? Time to level up your homestead game! Come to the Reference Desk and grab a Prairie in a Package take and make kit. The kit includes everything you need to make your own paper AND the seeds to make the paper a garden. Say what?! Yes! Once you use your paper for whatever project you have, place it in the ground and watch your garden bloom!
When you celebrate Earth Day this year, let Quincy Public Library be a part of it!
Too Many Plants!
Did you start too many seeds and now you have plants taking over your house?! Did Aunt Gertrude drop off the extra plants that she just simply could not handle?! Maybe you're a prolific propagator and have plenty to share.
Whatever extra greenery you have, bring it to the library to trade for something new at the Plant Swap on May 3rd. After all, you can never have too many plants!
Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aquarium,_indoor_plants_Fortepan_61005.jpg