Celebrate Earth Day with these simple activities.
JOSEPH PREZIOSO
AFP via Getty Images
Earth Day falls on April 22 every year, and few places in the country feel its message quite like Miami. With miles of coastline, coral reefs and fragile ecosystems like the Everglades just beyond city limits, environmental stewardship is part of daily life here.
Whether you spend five minutes picking up litter on the sand or dedicate an afternoon to restoring a stretch of shoreline, there are plenty of ways for South Florida residents to mark the occasion and make a difference close to home.
How Earth Day started
The first Earth Day took place in 1970, thanks to Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin who was concerned about the lack of environmental conservation in the United States.
He decided to harness the power of student protests at the time and came up with the idea for a nationwide teach-in on April 22. He persuaded a Republican congressman named Pete McCloskey to serve as his co-chair and got a young activist named Denis Hayes on board as well.
They promoted events across the country, and millions of Americans participated, taking a stand for protecting the planet from pollution. Later that year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency was created and a number of key environmental laws were passed.
Today, Earth Day continues to be an important reminder to do our part to protect the planet in as many ways as we can, from planting trees to cleaning up litter. In South Florida, where rising seas and warming waters are not abstract concerns, those efforts take on added meaning. The health of ecosystems stretching from Biscayne Bay to the Everglades depends in part on the choices residents make every day.
Here are some ways to celebrate the day and make a difference in the Miami area.
Get outsideJoin a beach or coastal waterway cleanup across Miami-Dade or Broward counties. Organizations like Miami Waterkeeper regularly organize events focused on protecting local waterways. Both Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park also offer volunteer opportunities tied to restoration efforts throughout the year.Plant a tree or start a small garden. South Florida’s year-round growing season makes it easy to cultivate tropical produce at home, and a visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden can offer ideas for what thrives in this climate.Go on a nature hike or nature scavenger hunt through one of the area’s many parks and natural areas. It is a simple way to get kids and families engaged with the environment.At homeUpcycle old clothes, jars or containers into something new rather than sending them to a landfill.Make seed bombs to toss in empty lots or gardens. Choosing native South Florida plant species will give them the best chance to take root and support local wildlife.Cook a meal using only local or seasonal ingredients. Visit a nearby farmers market to find tropical fruits and vegetables grown in South Florida. It is a tasty way to support local growers while cutting down on the environmental cost of your plate.With your communityAttend a local Earth Day festival or outdoor market.Host a neighborhood swap meet for clothes, books or tools. Neighborhoods like Wynwood and Coconut Grove are natural settings for upcycling and community swap events.Volunteer with a local environmental organization. Miami Waterkeeper, for instance, works year-round to protect and restore the area’s waterways and coastline.Keep learningWatch an environmental documentary with family or friends. It can spark conversations about what South Florida residents can do to protect the places they love.Share an eco-tip or Earth Day pledge on social media and encourage others to do the same.Make it a tradition
Pick one activity and make it an annual tradition. In a community as connected to the water and the natural world as Miami, every effort to protect the environment counts.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
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Lauren Schuster is a content specialist working with McClatchy Media’s Trend Hunter and national content specialists team.Â