Earth Month’s focus in April is on environmental protection, sustainability, and climate action that culminates on Earth Day Apr. 22.
This year’s Earth Day theme is Conscious Consumption — encouraging us to consume less, but better to reduce our impact on the planet, while improving our quality of life.
Southern Albertans can also reduce energy use and travel, limit digital footprints, and adopt sustainable lifestyle habits.
Organizations and businesses can extract, produce and waste less, reduce energy needs, reduce digital footprints, and engage teams to measure and track impacts of actions.
Municipalities can act on infrastructure by optimizing resource and material management, reducing transportation needs, and creating a supportive framework.
Environment Lethbridge Executive Director Kathleen Sheppard says one of the local organization’s big events is this weekend’s Seedy Saturday at the Lethbridge Public Library.
“We host this event every year, and it’s a great way to welcome spring and get people thinking about gardening and local food,” Sheppard adds. “We have exhibitors, we have workshops, we have a seed swap, and free compost. New this year is an indoor plant swap. People can come and get a jump on their gardening.”
According to Sheppard, the City of Lethbridge’s Parks department will host an annual Earth Day event at Legacy Park Apr. 25. “That’s a celebration of sustainability in the city. A lot of activities and exhibits.”
At the end of the month, Sheppard notes, the Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre will host a City Nature Challenge, which is a citywide bio blitz.
“Go out with your phone and take pictures of as many wild plants, animals, birds, lichens, insects, — whatever you can find and post them to iNaturalist,” adds Sheppard.
This time of year, Sheppard says Environment Lethbridge encourages residents to leave some of their winter leaves just a little bit longer in their gardens, “until it’s warmed up.”
“There’s a lot of insects and bees still using those leaves as a shelter in your garden,” Sheppard notes.
April is also a great time to visit your local park and pick up plastic bags or other debris that have crept into the natural spaces over the winter, Sheppard says.
For more information about local events, check out greenyql.com or visit online at environmentlethbridge.ca.
For more information about Earth Day, check out earthday.ca.
