by Luise Manning – Springfield Lakes Nature Care, Inc.
This year marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day, and falls on Saturday, April 22.
Since 1970, billions of people from all countries have taken part on April 22 to raise awareness about the need to become a greener planet and to have a more equitable future for our children and our planet.
Rally behind this year’s theme ‘Invest in Our Planet’, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving the climate crisis.
It doesn’t mater who you are, what you do, or where you live, everyone has an opportunity to be proactive to protect our planet.
Here are some ways you can actively participate in Earth Day 2023:
1. Plant a tree
2. Pollinate!
3. Cut plastics
5. Be proactive
6. Be visible
8. Join us
EVENT: COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY, SUNDAY APRIL 30
1. Plant a tree
Planting a tree is one of the easiest things you can do to combat climate change.
Springfield Lakes Nature Care Inc. (SLNC) will be hosting community planting events at our Opossum Creek Rehabilitation project in Brookwater. We will be looking for volunteers to help us with our planting events.
Please contact our bushcare leader on secretary@slnc.org.au if you are interested.
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2. Pollinate!
Creating a “Garden for Pollinators” because pollination is essential for all terrestrial life on Earth.
If you are keen to do this please consider using species native to our area to support local populations of butterflies, bees, and other organisms critical to sustained biodiversity in your ecosystem.
You might even like to plant Pararistolochia praevenosa (commonly known as Richmond Birdwing Butterfly vines) to help our endangered Richmond Butterfly.
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3. Cut plastics
Reduce plastic pollution is one of the most important environmental problems we face in today’s world. We all contribute to this problem and must work to reduce, and ultimately end, plastic pollution.
Make a plan this Earth Day to reduce your plastic consumption using EARTHDAY.ORG’s plastic calculator
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4. Responsible choices
Commit to responsible consumer choices, such as sustainable fashion.
Fashion has completely revolutionised the apparel industry, but not for the better. Learn about the detrimental impacts of fast fashion, which involves the design, marketing, and rapid production of high volumes of clothing.
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5. Be proactive
Educate yourself about the science behind climate change and show responsibility in addressing it by taking climate action to the next level.
Send a letter to your local elected officials, or join an advocacy group such as Greenpeace or World Wildlife Foundation to help create change.
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6. Be visible
Communicating the importance of climate action or what you do is critical for your family and friends to see. It doesn’t have to be hard or difficult you could share your efforts, such as doing a street or park clean-up or attending an Earth Day event.
Be sure to post what you’re doing and tag #EarthDay and/or #InvestInOurPlanet to spread awareness around the environmental movement and possibly be featured on EARTHDAY.ORG’s social channels.
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7. Sustainable business
If you are a local business owner or corporation you might like to think of how you invest in the environment and what sustainable options your business has adopted.
You may wish to donate to a local environment group such as SLNC, or collect COEX Containers and donate them to Containers for Change using our Scheme ID 10002285.
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8. Join us
You could or join our Landcare Group or Bushcare group and donate your time and skills to help an environmental project in your community.
Come to our next meeting on which are held the first Monday of each month at the Quest Apartments Springfield Centre.
RSVP to Secretary@slnc.org.au if you wish to attend.
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9. EVENT: COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY, SUNDAY APRIL 30
Springfield Lakes Nature Care is hosting a COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY, 8:30-10.30am on Sunday, April 30.
Bring your gloves and trowel, and roll up your sleeves, to help “Invest in our Planet” by planting native trees to repair a degraded riparian zone.
The Opossum Creek Bushcare site can be reached by parking in Lomandra Court, taking the path at the end of the cul-de-sac, and turning right at the Springfield Central Parkland sign and continuing walking uphill towards Springfield.
Our SLNC banner and registration tent will be located at the bottom of the hill.
Please wear enclosed footwear, sun-safe clothing, and a hat. Sunscreen will be provided.
BYO water bottle, gloves, and watering can or bucket to help water in plants.
Morning tea will be provided at the completion of the planting event, so you might like to bring a chair or buckets work well to sit on.
Please note: there are NO toilets at this site. Please use the public toilet at Opossum Parkland.
To register to attend, contact us via info@springfieldlakesnaturecare.org.au for your FREE ticket go to https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/earth-day-planting-tickets-608411032777.
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See also: Clean Up Australia Day and more in March
