CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

earth day events Celebrate Earth Day 2021 with Live Events and Virtually

The COVID-19 pandemic may be with us for some time, but there are still many ways to participate in the 51st anniversary of the global environmental movement. The Biden administration will host world leaders at an Earth Day 2021 global climate summit on April 22. Many important environmental events have occurred on Earth Day since 1970, including the 2016 signing of the Paris Agreement, as Earth Day continues to be a momentous and unifying day each year. Be a part of this historic climate summit by taking action to restore the Earth.

These local Earth Day events will take place nearby or in a digital format. Taking a pledge to go pesticide-free, committing to reducing meat from our diet or organizing an online community climate discussion are other ways to honor the cause safely from home.

For more information, visit the Earth Day Network at EarthDay.org.

Please call ahead to confirm date, time and if virtual or live event.

MONDAY, APRIL 5

Earth Day, Every Day Live Webinar Series

– 6:30pm. Every Monday through April 26. Cocreated by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station, and supported in part by Union County Board of Commissioners. It connects the community with fact-based guidance that empowers people to improve their own well-being, while also contributing to a safe, healthy environment. Virtual Event. Free. Register in advance: envirostewards.rutgers.edu/Earth-Day. TUESDAY, APRIL 13

Pollinator Gardening in the Piedmont – 6:308pm. Join our virtual Earth Day event for homeowners and learn the benefits of creating a pollinator garden using native plants of the piedmont region. Virtual Event. Free. CharlotteWildlife.org/ community-programs.html. FRIDAY, APRIL 16

Anne Springs Close Greenway Earth Day Week-

end – Apr 16-18. Join us for events all weekend including a recycled art competition, campfire snack demonstration, guided hike/history, try archery, kayaking, master gardener presentations, fairy house/gnome home building, fire starting and more. 2573 Lake Haigler Dr., Fort Mill, SC. Free for members, $5 parking for non-members. ASCGreenway.org/event/earth-day-weekend/. SATURDAY, APRIL 17

Earth Day Meck County Confidential Paper

Shredding Event – 9am-12pm (or until trucks are full). Residents are encouraged to bring up to 3 banker boxes of their confidential papers to be shredded. 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte. Free. MeckNC.gov/LUESA/SolidWaste/Disposal-Recycling/Pages/Full%20Service%20Facilities.aspx.

Nurtured By Nature Reedy Creek Nature Preserve

Earth Day Event – 9am-12pm. Low-key class which may include slow/meditative walking through the woods, pausing for observation, breathwork, inspirational readings/storytelling, meditation and journaling. 2900 Rocky River Rd., Charlotte. Free. anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/111507?o nlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true MONDAY, APRIL 19

Ballantyne Earth Day – 12pm daily Apr 19-23. Events will focus on sustainable living, health and making an impact on the local community. Check back for finalized events for the week of Earth Day like fitness classes, virtual learning opportunity and family movie night. Virtual and on-site. 15801 Brixham Hill Ave., Charlotte. Free. GoBallantyne.com/event/ballantyne-earthday/2021-04-19/. TUESDAY, APRIL 20

Nature Scavenger Hunt - Earth Day – 1-3:30pm. Stop by anytime, grab your scavenger hunt kit and explore the habitats around Eastway. 3150 Eastway Dr., Charlotte (meet in parking lot of Eastway Regional Recreation Center). Free. anc. apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/ activity/search/detail/111426?onlineSiteId=0&fr om_original_cui=true. THURSDAY, APRIL 22

19th Annual Earth Day Event at Organic

Marketplace – 10am-4pm. Join us in honoring the Earth and enjoy samples, spin to win specials, Earth Day bags (while supplies last) and special product discounts throughout the store. 1012 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia. Free. 704-864-0605. OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.

Earth Day Seed Giveaway at Mallard Creek Recre-

ation Center – 10am-12pm. Celebrate by planting green beans, register in advance, drive through and pick up packets of seeds and planting instructions. 2530 Johnston Oehler Rd., Charlotte. Free. Must register in advance: anc.apm.activecommunities. com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/1118 96?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true.

Earth Day Preschool Story Time at Mallard Creek

Recreation Center – 10:30-11:30am. We will dig right in by reading the book “Jo MacDonald Had a Garden” in this virtual gathering and then make a craft. Virtual Event. Free. Must register in advance: anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/111891?onlineSiteId=0 &from_original_cui=true. Celebrate Earth Day at Bette Rae Thomas – 11am12pm. Participants should bring an old t-shirt to make a shopping bag and register in advance. 2921 Tuckaseegee Rd., Charlotte. Free. BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. 980-314-1111. anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/111913?o nlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

City of Belmont Virtual Earth Day Celebration

– 12pm. Join the panel discussion for great environmental information from local experts and chances to win prizes. Virtual Event. Free. Facebook.com/ events/129284775694519.

Earth Day Recycle Right Meck County Webi-

nar – 12-1pm. An interactive presentation and dialogue with Mecklenburg County residents on how to Recycle Right. Typically, 40 minutes with 15 minutes for questions. Virtual Event. Free. Registration required to receive participation link: bit.ly/ RecycleRightApr22.

Happy Earth Day at Stevens Creek Nature Center

– 1-3pm. Create your own Earth, make a pledge, or develop and play on tin drums as we honor the world we inhabit. 15700 Thompson Rd., Mint Hill. Free. anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/111451?onlineSite Id=0&from_original_cui=true Charlotte Sustainability Awards – 6-7:30pm. Help Sustain Charlotte honor smart growth and sustainability leadership across the Charlotte region at Charlotte’s premier sustainability networking event. Welcoming remarks from Charlotte Mayor, Vi Lyles. All proceeds from the awards help Sustain Charlotte further their mission to inspire choices that lead to healthy, equitable, and vibrant communities across the Charlotte metro region for generations to come. Virtual Event. $25. SustainCharlotte.org/Awards. SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Celebrate Earth Day Shred & Recycling Event

– 8am-12pm. Protect yourself from identity theft, limit of 3 cardboard banker boxes per vehicle and all shredded documents will be recycled. Free Electronic Recycling, Goodwill Recycling will handle all data destruction. Accepting electronics, any brand, any condition. Tube TV’s not accepted. Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E. Long Ave., Gastonia. Free. CityofGastonia.com/events-keep-gastonia-beautiful.html. Earth Day Festival at Kings Mountain Preserve – 12-6pm. Come listen to great music from West End String Band, tour the dogwoods and enjoy nature at the Preserve’s first annual Earth Day Festival. 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg, SC. Free. 877-3752495. KingsMountainPreserve.com.

A Greener Clean

We believe in being good stewards of God’s creation. Reusable cloths, lambswool dusters, eco-friendly laundry detergent, washable shoe covers, toxic free cleaning chemicals, and hybrid company vehicles to save on fuel and emissions represent our commitment to the environment. Giving customers more free time through nontoxic, healthy-home cleaning services and while reducing our carbon footprint is our mission. Serving the Lake Norman area. Call today to see how we can help you.

For more information, call 704-765-2035, email Info@AGreenerClean.net or visit AGreenerClean.net.

The Patio Farmer

The Patio Farmer is a small business that tailors services to help YOU grow food at home (and reduce your carbon footprint), no matter how much (or little) space you have. Erin (owner/farmer) has years of experience growing food in all spaces and LOVES teaching individuals and community groups. Book a consultation, join or host a class, sign-up for Plant Club (monthly subscription program) or place an order for home delivery to begin (or continue) your food-growing journey. The Patio Farmer is here to help!

Location: Serving Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston and surrounding counties. For more information, email ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com or visit ThePatioFarmer.com.

For The Love Of Dutch

For the Love of Dutch feeds, nourishes and nurtures your pet with natural food. Our ready to serve, handcrafted, small batch stews are made with fresh, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced meat from local farms. We love pets - and we love caring for them with socially responsible practices. We honor this commitment by supporting local farmers and sourcing less beautiful, nutrient-rich produce and less talked about organ meat to save food waste. Our BPA Free and FDA approved packaging is 100% recyclable (Recycle No7 pouch and labels).

Location: Serving Charlotte and surrounding areas. For more information, visit ForTheLoveOfDutch.com, email Hello@ForTheLoveOfDutch.com or call 704-576-7916.

Kings Mountain Preserve and Retreat Center

As the Charlotte area’s only Conservation Burial Ground, Kings Mountain Preserve is proud to offer the most environmentally sensitive method of burial in our nation. Bodies cannot be embalmed, and any containers must be 100% biodegradable. No concrete vaults or metal caskets are permitted. In addition, a Green Burial avoids producing an average of 534.6 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide per cremation. Facilities include an outdoor pavilion and chapel for ceremonies in nature, as well as a retreat center that sleeps up to 6.

Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd., Blacksburg, SC. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 877-375-2495 or visit KingsMountainPreserve.com.

Sustain Charlotte

Sustain Charlotte’s mission is to inspire choices that lead to a healthy, equitable, and vibrant community for generations to come. We promote smart growth by collaborating with local neighborhoods, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to solve challenges to the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of our community. Affordability, livability, and access to essentials goods and services without a car are key areas for which Sustain Charlotte advocates. We invite you to become a member today.

Location: 1100 S. Mint St, Charlotte. For more information, visit SustainCharlotte.org.

Mecklenburg County Compost & Mulch: Completing the Circular Economy with Yard Waste

Spring is compost and mulch season! Did you know your curbside yard waste (leaves and brush) is upcycled into high quality gardening products? Recycling yard waste saves landfill space, remains local and is affordable. Mecklenburg County has high quality compost available in conveniently packaged 1.25 cubic foot bags and delivery is offered for bulk compost and mulch from our external partner, C&N Restorations. Reduce your carbon footprint with upcycled yard products available at the Compost Central and Foxhole Full-Service Centers.

Locations for bulk pick-up: 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte; 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte. For more information, visit MeckMulchMadness.com. For delivery, call C&N at 704-858-7617.

ekologicall

A Zero Waste and Refill Shop based in Charlotte. Our mission is to empower our community to a healthier, simpler and more sustainable lifestyle by changing our consumption habits. Owner, Valerie, offers a curated selection of non-toxic and eco-friendly alternatives for your home and your body. Get your refills of shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap and more delivered right to your doorstep. Register for our free Introduction to Zero Waste class online. Small Changes make Big Impacts! Contact us today and reduce waste.

Location: Serving Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. For more information, email Contact@ekologicall.com or visit ekologicall.com. Farm Fresh Carolinas utilizes local farms and delivery logistics throughout the greater Charlotte area to deliver fresh, organic produce to your door and reduce our collective carbon footprint in the process! Customers may utilize our reusable bag and package recycling programs. Food is not wasted – Farm Fresh donates leftover and damaged food to local food banks or to local farms for livestock feed. Enjoy flexible options ranging from curbside and co-op pick-up to delivery to residences and workplaces. Sign up for Farm Fresh deliveries today.

Location: Serving Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, York and N. Lancaster counties. For more information, visit FarmFreshCarolinas.com.

Organic Marketplace

Over the last 28 years, Organic Marketplace has sought to be at the forefront of business practices that lessen our collective carbon footprint. Raised beds in the rear of the store for fresh organic produce for Sprouts cafe as well as to beautify the environment. Our landscape has always been chemicalfree with an emphasis on pollinator friendly plants. Packaging waste is addressed with our bulk foods, herbs, and culinary spices department. Plastic bags were discontinued seven years ago to combat plastic pollution in our Oceans.

Location: 1012 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia. For more information, call 704-864-0605 or visit OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.

Home Improvement Contest – Reusable Materials

Check out submissions from our local area…

Homeowner covered a problematic ceiling with leftover wood flooring from past projects. Prunings from Crape Myrtles and Bamboo are turned into a landscape barrier at this area home.