Please join us (virtually) to celebrate the

 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY

APRIL 22, 2020

Here are some fun facts about Earth Day from www.earthday.org

• Earth Day is April 22 of every year. April 22, 2020 will mark 50 years of Earth Day.
• The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action.
• Earth Day was started as a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet.
• The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement, and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.

Want to celebrate but don’t know how? Here are some virtual and virtually free suggestions from Closter Nature Center (CNC) Trustees and other friends of the Closter Nature Center.

Several Trustees recommended "The Overstory", a book by Richard Powers and winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. "The Overstory" is also a podcast on Sierra Club's website. "The first episode of  The Overstory's second season was originally intended as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day" but as the pandemic unfolded, they pivoted to consider what social activism will look like in this season of social distancing.

CNC Trustee Sue Kozel: This link --> https://www.naturalbeachliving.com/earth-day-activities/ contains lots of ideas to celebrate Earth Day. It's the perfect time to start thinking about teaching your children why Earth Day is important and how they can help protect the environment!

CNC Trustee Susan McTigue: Discover Jane Goodall, her research and videos at janegoodall.org.

“Only if we understand, will we care.  Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall we all be saved."  

-- Dr. Jane Godall

CNC Trustee Karen Seagaard: Let’s turn the annual town wide cleanup into a cleanup of our yards and in front of our houses!

CNC Trustee Ann Ginsberg: Go outside and take a photo of the nature in your world —the gardens and forests so critical to both our physical and mental wellbeing. Share the photos on our Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/closternaturecenter/to

CNC Trustee Lori Spechler: Use some of those home cooking scraps to start a compost station in your own backyard. Lots videos on youtube.com including this one from Better Homes & Gardens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGRunDez1j4

From Linda Sloginski: Join a virtual gathering on Fungi Day, April 21st.  #FantasticFung ihttps://www.facebook.com/355308397955395/posts/1589175674568655/?sfnsn=mo .

Via Hugh Carolla, Hackensack Riverkeeper: Feeling bored and cooped up? The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is coming back to Rockland County to uplift, inspire and connect you with the world and its wonders. Watch in the comfort and safety of your own home. Click on the link to see lineup and register: http://www.suffernfilmfest.com/film-lineup/ .

The Closter Environmental Commission is conducting its Annual Spring Cleanup Drive on Saturday, April 4^th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Starting at 10:00 a.m., meet at the historic Lustron House (421 Durie Avenue) or the Closter Nature Center (154 Ruckman Road). Refreshments and supplies will be provided – all you need to bring is yourself! Students, don’t forget to count these hours toward community service.As the weather warms, take this opportunity to spend a beautiful day outside helping your neighbors keep Closter the clean, green borough we all enjoy. Families are encouraged to participate; children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The members of the Environment Commission look forward to seeing you there! 

Event details are at the Borough website: www.closternj.us.