EARTH DAY 2023 INVESTING IN OUR PLANET

by Sandra Yeyati

his year’s Earth Day theme— Invest in Our Planet—reminds us that it is not enough to merely celebrate our ancestral home for one day. We are called upon to dedicate our time, money and talents year-round to ensure a sustaining and just world for generations to come. The motto also calls attention to the economic realities and opportunities of the climate crisis. It is no wonder that EarthDay.org, the global organizer of this annual event, decided to keep the same theme as last year, thus underscoring a continuing need to bring global economies together in harmony with the environment.

“In 2023, we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to invest in our planet,” advises EarthDay.org President Kathleen Rogers.

Surmounting the climate crisis is within reach if we all take action. The time is right for innovators to bring planet-saving ideas to market, and for consumers to stop supporting brands that are socially and environmentally irresponsible—instead, spending money with businesses that take the Earth’s future seriously.

In the voting booth, citizens have the power to elect leaders that will help build a green economy through regulations, incentives and partnerships with the private sector.

We can press our congressional representatives to support clean energy jobs and move away from the doomed fossil fuel economy.

There are many ways to make a difference in our daily lives, too. We can eat sustainable foods, pick up trash while on a run, participate in beach cleanups, reduce our use of plastic, write our representative, switch to solar power, take reusable bags to the grocery store, drive an electric vehicle, compost, go pesticide-free, plant a pollinator garden, support local farmers, eat less meat, purchase secondhand clothing, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, turn off lights when not in use, take shorter showers and so much more. Learn about all of the ways to make a difference at EarthDay.org.

This year, join one of the empowering events here in Collier and Lee Counties and meet planet-loving people that are ready to push up their sleeves, vote with their pocketbooks and dedicate their time to a healthy, equitable and prosperous future on Earth.

Continue To Invest In Our Planet

In a continuation of last year’s popular campaign, EarthDay.org, the global organizer of Earth Day, is again presenting the theme of “Invest in Our Planet,” focusing on engaging governments, institutions, businesses and the more than 1 billion citizens that participate an- nually to all do their part in combating climate change, build local green economies and more. Learn what area organizations, companies and facilities are doing to protect the Earth and its resources and support their efforts, and find new ways to increase personal involvement and commitment by participating in any of these local Earth Day 2023 events.

Earth Day 24,901-Mile Run/Walk Challenge

April 1-30

The goal is to collectively see how many times participants can run the distance of the equator: 24,901 miles. Organizers need at least 415 people to commit to run at least two miles a day for the month to try to reach that number. Runners, walkers or joggers of all fitness levels may join this epic challenge. Recruit friends, family and co-workers. Log miles and report them via results page daily or weekly which will be tallied toward the overall goal.

Free participation. For more information, visit ChallengeInMotion.com/products/ earth-day-challenge-24901-miles. Share your mission by tagging @VirtualRunChallenge and #EarthDayChallenge2022.

Onsite Paper Shredding Event

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 1

Collier County Waste Management offers onsite paper shredding the first Saturday of the month at three locations. The first 20 pounds are free. Additional shredding is $1 per pound.

Naples Recycling Drop-Off Center, 2640 Corporate Flight Dr.; North Collier Recycling Drop-Off Center, 9950 Goodlette Rd. N.; Tim Nance Collier County Recycling Drop-Off Center, 825 39th Ave. NE (next to the Fairgrounds) in Naples. For more information, call 239-252-7575 or visit CollierCountyFl.Gov/recycle.

Open House ‘Protecting Precious Earth’ Event

Noon to 4 p.m., April 9

Cypress Cove Landkeepers will conduct an open house nature awareness event at the Gore Nature Education Center. Explore the trails throughout this 10-acre preserve with its pollinated gardens that the organization owns and operates, and listen to several expert speakers that will be on the property speaking about all things flora and fauna. Recycling tips by members of the Collier County Preserve Our Paradise Program will be shared. Children’s activities include coloring with natural materials, creating nature-inspired items and a scavenger hunt. Similar events are held on the second Sunday of every month.

Admission and parking are free; donations are appreciated. Location: 4261 40th Ave. SE, Naples, in Golden Gate Estates. For more information on event and organization, visit ccLandkeepers.com.

Earth Day Fair 2023

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 22

Nearly 20 nonprofits and government agencies that advocate on behalf of our Earth will make presentations and partake in Q&A sessions at this third annual, free, family-friendly celebration in Founder’s Square at Babcock Ranch. Kids can have their picture taken with Smokey the Bear and engage in other fun and informative activities.

Free parking. Location: 42850 Crescent Loop. For more information, call 239-380-2490 or email Community@tccintheranch.org.

‘Ding’ Darling Day Conservation Carnival

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 22 celebration of nature and wildlife featuring live animal presentations and encounters; electric boat tours; food trucks; nature walks; Learning Adventures Bus trips around the facility; Kid Zone crafts and activities and Little Explorers Play Zone; access to the Dalton Discovery Center, John and Carol Walter Discovery Wing, Sapakie Exhibit Hall and von Arx Wildlife viewing pavilion; local exhibitors and vendors; and more.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will bring its 34th annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival to Lakes Park, in Fort Myers, for the second year in a row. Besides tours of the Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) mobile nature experience, the refuge and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge will present many free outdoor activities including carnival games, prizes, archery, a duck tank, a rock climbing wall, Earth Day crafts, artist-in-residence programs, guided bilingual birding walks, a biking tour, guided mindfulness programs, live music, food and educational interactions with other local conservation organizations.

Free admission. Location: 7330 Gladiolus Dr. For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 4, email Director@DingDarlingSociety.org or visit DingDarlingSociety.org.

Location: 1495 Smith Preserve Way. For more information, visit Conservancy.org/earthday

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 22

This family-friendly event, held on a monthly basis to raise funds for the nonprofit, will inform on environmental awareness by featuring staff members giving educational animal talks and leading guided nature hikes of their trails including explaining native flora and fauna. There will also be crafts and games for kids, food and beverage vendors, and several companies and organizations manning booths including Green Leaf Worm Farm, Advance Solar & Spa and Truly Nolan.

Cost: $10/adults, $5/kids 3 to 12, free under 12. Location: 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-275-3435 or visit CalusaNature.org.

Eco Homies’ International Big Mamma Day Festival

Noon to 8 p.m., April 22

Earth Day

at the Conservancy 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22

Join The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, in Naples, for this free, family-friendly, annual

Honor Mother Earth while also celebrating the birthday of the Big Mamma at the Miccosukee Indian Village. Experience and observe traditional Miccosukee customs and heritage. Guest speakers will be Garrett Stuart, aka Captain Planet; Dr. David Vaughan with the Plant a Million Corals Foundation; Indigenous environmental advocate Betty Osceola; and Miccosukee Wildlife Department Director Craig van Der Heiden. The event, supported by SWFL RESET Center, also features live music by the Champ Jaxon Band, Seminole flutist Samuel Tommie and other Seminole musicians Spencer Battiest and Doc Native, along with food and vendors.

Location: Hwy. 41 (mile marker 36), Doral. For more information, visit EventBrite.com.