Greetings readers,
Earth Month is a time to celebrate our planet and take action to protect it. As we head into the last half of April, in honor of this special time, many local communities are organizing events and activities to engage and educate the public about the importance of sustainability and environmental protection. These events not only serve as a means of raising awareness, but also provide a fun and engaging way to learn about the crucial work of environmental organizations in our communities.
Gainesville – get ready to learn, connect and have some fun!
Slow Food Talk with Charles Barstow
Thursday, April 13th @ 4pm
UF – Little Hall 0113
Charles Barstow is a PhD student in Cultural Anthropology at UF. His presentation will highlight the importance of food in bicultural conservation and introduce Slow Food approaches to protecting and promoting endangered food heritage.
This is a co-presentation of the Ethnoecology Society and the Center for European Studies at the University of Florida.
The State of Water – Juried Art Exhibition
April 13 – April 30
Cade Museum
Spring Clean Out – Community Reuse & Recycle Day
Saturday, April 15, 9am – 12pm
Santa Fe College NW Campus
The Alachua County Solid Waste & Resource Recovery Department, in collaboration with the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, invites residents to participate in the “Community Reuse & Recycle Day” on Saturday April, 15th 2023.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this free spring clean out, donation and hazardous waste recycling event.
Non-profit organizations will be onsite to receive the following items:
• clothing in wearable condition
• non-perishable food
• housewares in usable condition
• school/office/art supplies
• Household hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, old electronics etc. for recycling or proper disposal.
Party for the Planet
Saturday, April 15, 9am – 3pm
Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
This event is perfect for the whole family! The zoo welcomes you and your kids to explore and participate in fun activities such as games, crafts, training demonstrations, keeper talks, animal encounters, and more! Learn to build like a beach mouse, save a sea turtle, make a backyard habitat, and spring into action to save species. Get the full presentation schedule and exhibitor list here.
The Water State Festival
Saturday, April 15, 12-6pm
Depot Park
Enjoy a day of water-themed science, crafts, art vendors, environmental nonprofits, government agencies, live mermaids, adventure outfitters, and entertainment.
Also, festival goers will be able to visit the Cade Museum (FREE admission) to see Play Hard Florida’s State of Water Juried Art Exhibition!
Presented by Play Hard Florida, proceeds of the festival and the art show at the Cade Museum benefits two local environmental nonprofits that protect our waters: Florida Springs Institute and Current Problems.
Celebrate Earth Day with Cinema Verde
April 21-23
April 21: Ashley Creek Clean UP – RSVP here
April 22: Sustainable Showcase & Films at Cypress & Grove – learn more here
April 23: Awards Dinner at Passions Field in Alachua – learn more here
6th Annual Earth Day Eco Fest
Saturday, April 22, 10am-4pm
Eco Teaching Farm
17306 NW 112th Blvd, Alachua, FL
Spend the day in nature learning new, sustainable skills. Fun for the whole family! Speakers like Alex Ojeda, a permaculture expert, will be touching on growing herbs, soil development, and much more. Learn to make things like cheese, paper, incense, infused medicinal herbal oils.
The State of Water Celebration
Thursday, April 27, 6-8:30pm
Cade Museum
Enjoy delicious food and drinks, amazing water-inspired 2D, 3D, and video art, a moving presentation from Florida author Rick Kilby, and a water-themed silent auction!
Mayor’s Water Challenge
April 1-30
City of Gainesville
The Mayor‘s Challenge is a friendly competition between cities across the U.S. to see who can be the most “water-wise” by pledging to conserve water. We invite all of you to join us in taking the pledge at www.mywaterpledge.com, then click on Take the Action Pledge, and enter Gainesville, FL.
Participants in the winning cities are eligible to win hundreds of prizes.
Earth Month Virtual Silent Auction
We Are Neutral
April 1 – May 1
Help We Are Neutral raise money for their small organization to continue Earth-giving programs, including energy upgrades for low-income families, indigenous tree plantings, invasive species removal, urban agriculture, soil regeneration, composting, landfill diversion, landfill methane capture, vehicle fuel efficiency tuneups, climate change victim relief, environmental policy advocacy, and massive amounts of environmental education. Bid on items here
2023 City Nature Challenge
Alachua County
April 28 – May 1
Join Alachua County and hundreds of other cities around the world for a friendly competition to see who can make the most observations of plants and animals in their community.
Learn more at citynaturechallenge.org
At Life Unplastic – if you haven’t heard about our Earth Month Sale – we are discounting products 20% off storewide – excluding refills – through April 30th! Get 10% off your refills when you BYO containers (bags, bins, jars – whatever you fancy!)
And finally, our April Puzzle and Board Game Swap will be April 30th. Bring a game or puzzle to swap and bring home something new – to you – while you foster a circular, buy nothing economy. FUN!
If you made it this far, thank you for reading and I hope you can participate in at least one of these wonderful Earth Month/Earth Day events. Have a great April, everyone!
— Joy