5 Simple Things You Can Celebrate Earth Day in the Southern Tier

Earth Day is all about celebrating the beauty and gift of the planet and to hopefully do something nice for the environment.  As I mentioned in a previous Earth Day article, Earth Day started in 1970.  While it's important for individuals and especially children to learn the importance of the day, it's also just as important for families to do something together to celebrate this day set aside to make a difference.

Every year, my mother would take me to new tree somewhere.  And to this day, visiting these trees bring back a lot of memories. Oh my have they grown.

Here are 5 things you can do to celebrate Earth Day in the Southern Tier:

1. Walk a Park.  Living in the Binghamton area, we are lucky to have access to some of the most amazing scenery in the country and that includes a number of popular city, county and state parks.  Sure we take it for granted because we see it everyday through a change of seasons, but Earth Day would be a good day to take it all in again, like you are seeing it for the first time.
2. Earth Fest.  Some 3,000 people visit SUNY Broome each year on Earth Fest.  This year's celebration is Sunday April 24th from 10am-4pm and includes a variety of family-friendly activities including: magic shows, crafts, giveaways and some earth-loving demonstrations.  Visit the EarthFest Facebook page or click HERE to find out more. This year, they are teaming up with the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, the Discovery Center and Roberson Museum to make it even bigger.
3. Less Plastic.  Make a pact with yourself to start bringing recyclable bags with you when you go grocery shopping at your favorite Southern Tier stores. Hey every little bit helps. Think about it, we use plastic bags for only a few minutes or maybe a few hours, yet it will take 500 years for plastic to completely degrade in our Binghamton landfill.
4. Avoid Plastic Water Bottles.  You hear this all the time and yes, I know it's convenient.  Try using good 'ole tap water with a portable, or Britta-like water filter to fill your recyclable water bottles.
5. Amp Up Your Personal Recycle Program. Broome County already has an impressive and aggressive recycle program, but there are a few more things we could all be doing on our end.  Recycle plastic bags, batteries, cell phones and take those cans and bottles back for refunds.  While your at it, turn your water faucet off while you brush your teeth and fix that leak on your sink.

Remember, it all adds up and on Earth Day, it's a good idea to add two or three new things to your routine to make that difference.  Happy Earth Day.