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Community Corner

Patch Picks: How to Celebrate Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day and preserve the world around us by getting involved locally.

Earth Day began in the early 1970s as a day for people to think about ways to preserve the world in which we live in. Taking recyclables to the bottle return at a supermarket is one way to protect our environment and working as a community to cleanup is another.

Here are five local ways to spend your Earth Day this year:

Earth Day with Girl Scouts

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With the hopes to raise awareness, the Girl Scout community launched a program “Forever Green” which began in February with Reduce Plastic Waste. For the month, Girl Scouts say they tried to limit the number of plastic containers and water bottles they used daily. In fact, according to the Girl Scouts, every 25 plastic bags avoided is equivalent to enough gas to drive a car one mile.

Last month, they focused on replacing incandescent lightbulbs with a more energy efficient power source or light. This month the scouts are learning about Rain Gardens.

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In addition to celebrating Earth Day, Girl Scout Troops who participated in creating a recyclable sculpture will have their artwork on display at the Broadway Mall in a competition. The three winning troops will receive prizes that will go towards their funds.

  • Where: Artwork displayed at Broadway Mall in Hicksville

North Hempstead’s 2011 EcoFest

Parents and children are invited to the 6th Annual EcoFest at Clark Botanical Gardens to celebrate the environment. This is an interactive opportunity for children to take part in activities on becoming more aware about keeping the earth clean. There will be music to sing-a-long to, fun crafts and games as well as a wildlife showcase to enjoy.   

  • Where: Clark Botanic Garden
  • When: May 14-15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m 
  • Contact: 311 directly from your local telephone line.

Mineola High School Environmental Club

Earth Day falls out on the week that Long Island public school districts are closed for the holidays. As part of an ongoing celebration of Earth Day,  faculty members have planned events for students and their families to acknowledge the day for the entire month.

Earlier this month, students from the Mineola High School had the opportunity to attend an assembly to learn about global warming. To continue the Earth Day trend, the Environmental Club is collaborating with the for a community cleanup around the school.

In the next few weeks, the town will be dropping off gloves, garbage bags and all of the tools needed to cleanup in order to make it a success. The date will be announced later in the week.

Each year on the second Friday in May, it is tradition for the school to invite students and faculty to plant flowers around the building and courtyard. The Environmental Club hopes this event will help other students get involved and have school spirit. 

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum will be hosting a special program for Earth Day at the library. Children ages 3-5 are invited with a parent or guardian to join the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum for a program to learn about the earth. There will be an opportunity to interact with live hermit crabs and participate in arts and crafts activities.

  • Contact: 746-8488 ext. 1
  • When: April 22

Jones Beach Cleanup

Join the Striper Surf Club in the . Club members and local residents will focus on the West End of Jones Beach, a popular area for sunbathers to flock to during the summer, and anglers to visit throughout the year. President Rick Zappala says this is one way to put forth effort towards enhancing the beach and protecting the ocean.

In addition to cleaning up the local beach, the Striper Surf Club will also be collecting non-perishable food and toiletries to send to U.S. military troops overseas.

Suggested items include sealed and canned foods, powder, toothpaste and other necessities needed overseas. Previously, the Striper Surf Club has collected over 200 pounds and this year they say they are hoping to collect even more.

  • When: April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ocea
  • Where: Jones Beach near the Construction Dock parking area north side of Jones inlet
  • Contact: Rich Zappala rzap@att.net
  • Note: Entry fees and permits are not required for participants. Rain or shine

Check back next week for local ideas to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

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