Earth Day is on April 22nd—just a couple of weeks away! Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet by engaging in practices that preserve it and its creatures. People around the world celebrate the day by picking up litter, planting trees, starting compost piles, feeding the birds, and joining in on many other nature-friendly activities. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the day, we have a few ideas.
Celebrate with Chirp!
Join us for two Earth Day Events in Big Bear Lake:
April 20th: Big Bear Discovery Center’s Earth Day Celebration. Look for the Chirp booth at this event, where you will learn how to become a better steward of the earth through fun crafts, programs, informative talks, and more.
April 22nd: Spend Earth Day at Chirp. Join us at the Chirp store, and enjoy complimentary bird-friendly coffee and cookies while you browse. Visit our new refillables station and learn about the natural brands we offer. (And as a special treat, you’ll enjoy exclusive savings on your first refillables purchase!)
More Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Start a New, Eco-conscious Habit
As one of Chirp’s four core values, sustainability is a daily commitment to using natural resources wisely, restoring when and where we can, and moving away from practices that harm the planet and its living creatures.
If you feel the same, why not start that new habit you’ve been meaning to, whether that’s planting a pollinator garden, hanging a bee hotel in your backyard, or transitioning from buying single-use plastics to refillable products.
Other habits to try? Switch from chemicals to natural pest-control products. Invest in a rain barrel, fix household leaks quickly, and do other things around the house to conserve water. Buy local products to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from long-haul trucks. These are just a few ideas—what are yours? Leave them in the comments to share!
Help the Birds
It can be daunting to think about “saving the planet” as a whole—so why not focus on just one part of our eco-system? Here at Chirp, our focus is on birds. And though the statistics are alarming when it comes to our bird population, there are many ways to support them on a daily basis.
Feeding the birds provides supplemental sustenance year round, but is especially important during winter, when natural resources are sparse. Offering water, shelter, and a safe place to rest and nest are all ways we can give birds a boost. Plant a native garden that supports your local birds, bees, and wildlife. You can even certify your outdoor space as a wildlife habitat with The National Wildlife Federation. It’s easier than you think; just follow these simple instructions.
You can also help reduce needless bird deaths by keeping your cats indoors, placing decals on windows to prevent window strikes, and supporting state and local initiatives that reduce mass window collisions.
Teach Your Kids How to Care for the Earth
Earth Day isn’t just about us—it’s about teaching our children good stewardship. Get your kids on the right track by building in them an appreciation for nature. There are many fun ways to teach your kids about nature, both online and off.
Start small and go for a nature walk, encouraging your children to listen to the birds and to point out the flowers and plants they like most. When they’re older, you can get them their very own gear, like binoculars and field guides, so that they can learn more deeply about the world around them.
How about growing a small vegetable garden in your backyard and giving your kids the job of watering and tending to it? They’ll delight in seeing first a sprout, and then a vegetable emerge. Or go camping in tents in your backyard and watch the stars, mapping your favorite constellations with paper and pen. What about showing them how to identify birds, animal tracks, and poisonous and edible plants on your adventures? The more younger ones spend time in nature, the more empathy they will have for it.
Join an Earth Day Initiative
If you’re looking to make a change more on the macro, join one of the many environmental or conservation groups out there that offer community initiatives. For example, the official Earth Day website has a list of their initiatives on many fronts, from those looking to end the use of plastics to joining the Great Global Cleanup Project to spreading the word about climate change.
For bird advocacy efforts, organizations like The National Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology all offer many ways to get involved, including citizen science projects and local outreach programs.
Chirp’s Bird Walks are Starting Up Again!
We’re excited to announce that our 2024 Bird Walk series will be starting in May! Get out your birdwatching gear, lace up those comfortable hiking boots or walking shoes, and come explore Big Bear Lake and all of its rare and wonderful birds with us. Check our Events calendar for more information. All are welcome to these family-friendly birding events.
