Earth Day is rapidly approaching, and local organisations have planned a slew of cleanups, recycling drives, and celebrations.
And if there was ever a weekend appropriate for commemorating the birth of the modern environmental movement, this is it. As of Monday morning, Friday and Saturday are forecast to have plenty of sun and highs in the 70s and 80s.
The following are ten ways to observe the annual holiday:
• Genoa Park will host its annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23, from noon to 7 p.m. The free event, organised by the nonprofit Green Columbus, will feature food trucks and live music.
Among the food trucks scheduled to appear are Black Kahawa Coffee, Fancy Feeding You, Hisham’s, Paddy Wagon, Pitabilities, and Tortilla Street Food.
The following is the music schedule:
— Orion and the Constellations — 12:30 p.m.
Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band — 2:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m. — Blue and Honey
At 5:00 p.m., the George Barrie Band will perform.
• On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Ohio History Center, 800 East 17th Ave., will host an event titled Seeds of Caring’s Children as Planet Protectors: An Earth Day Celebration. It is geared toward children ages 4-12 and will include both outdoor and indoor activities such as educational scavenger hunts, litter cleanup, reduce, reuse, and gardening. Additionally, families can explore the Ohio History Center for free during the event. To learn more and to register, please visit https://www.seedsofcaring.org.
• Green Columbus has compiled an online list of dozens of volunteer opportunities — including cleanups and planting sessions — taking place across the city until early May.
• While we’re on the subject of cleanups, the 20th annual South Central Hilltop Spring Cleanup/Pizza Party will take place April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burroughs Park, located behind John Burroughs Elementary at 551 S. Richardson Ave. Keep Columbus Beautiful will provide cleanup tools; complimentary pizza will follow.
• April is Bexley’s Earth Month. Throughout the month, Green Bexley has organised talks, litter cleanups, and tours of local recycling facilities and landfills. Schneider Park — a former landfill — will host the Green Bexley Fair on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Green Bexley, a project of a group dedicated to implementing the city’s Zero Waste Plan, is encouraging residents to reduce their reliance on automobiles and instead walk, bike, scoot, or skate as much as possible during the final week of April.
• On Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., roll up your sleeves and help plant trees at Big Walnut Park, 1826 Lattimer Dr. The Women’s Council of Realtors in Columbus and the City of Columbus’ Recreation and Parks Department are the organisers.
• Get creative to commemorate Earth Day. On Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W Whittier St., will host a sip and paint event. The cost is $40, and registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Wine sips will be available, but non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
• Isn’t the point of Earth Day to get outside? Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks will host a service day at Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Take home a free tree or shrub after assisting in tree planting, garlic mustard removal, and litter cleanup along US 23. Registration is required in advance. Questions? Jen Moore, naturalist, can be reached via email at [email protected].
If you go, meet near the pine trees and pit toilet in Big Meadows. Big Meadows is located at the park’s rear. After descending the large hill, follow the road signs and park in the first parking lot on the right.
• On a more practical note, Integrated Building Systems, 950 Michigan Ave., will host a recycling drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
Free recycling of computers, mice, and keyboards; LCD/flat-screen monitors; servers and network equipment; laptops; cell phones, desk phones, and PBX systems; cords, cables, and wires; stereos, gaming systems, and VCRs; defibrillators, ultrasound equipment; digital cameras; and security equipment.
CRT monitors, LCD/flat-screen televisions, desktop printers, scanners, fax machines, large office copiers, MAC all-in-one tube PCs, and tube-style televisions are all subject to fees. To view the exact fees, which are only payable in cash or by check, visit https://www.ibswebsite.com/ewaste.
• If you attend Sips and Succulents on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Taft Brewporium, you’ll receive a complimentary welcome beer, two succulents, and beer cans to plant them in. We will provide the dirt and tools. The fee is $20.