Happy Earth Day, Flo Mo!

Happy Earth Day, Flower Mound! In case you didn’t know, Earth Day has been around over 40 years.  It was born on April 22, 1970, in San Francisco, California. Each year, the United States and more than 100 other countries celebrate the Earth on the day of April 22nd. Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Today, we should remember to celebrate the beauty of nature and maybe even set some new resolutions on ways to become a little “greener” at home.

Here are 11 Ways to Help Save the Earth (according to a 6 and 9 year old). 
See if you can figure out which one is from who!

1. Pick up trash.
2. Plant trees and flowers.
3. Water your plants.
4. Recycle.
5. Turn off your water when you are done.
   
6. Turn off your cars to save gas.
7. Turn old things into new things.
8. Turn off the lights when you are not using them.
9. Use rechargeable batteries.
10. Charge your watch in the sun instead of using batteries.
11. Do not throw away recyclable things, just recycle them.
12. Water plants so they don’t die.

Some of my other favorite “Earth Day Ideas” from years’ past:

1. Give your old dresses to someone else to use.
2. Pick up broken glass.
3. Plant something in old plastic bottles (with the top cut off).
4. Save old juice packs (Capri Suns) and turn into something else.
5. Donate old phones.
6. Plant new things in your yard.
7. Don’t smoke.
8. Be nice to the Earth.
9. Turn your computer off when you aren’t using it.
10. Be nice to animals.
11. Pick up your dog’s “business” when you are walking them.
12. Don’t litter!

Here are some fun and easy tips to share with the kids so everyone can participate and help celebrate the Earth well beyond Earth Day!

1. Keep your neighborhood clean.  If you see some trash on the ground, toss it in the trash can.
2. Recycle cans, bottles and paper.  Save them at home and school and help your parents recycle them.
3. Help keep the air clean.  Ride your bike or walk to school.  Too many cars equals lots of pollution.
4. Save paper.  Use both sides of your paper at school and at home.
5. Help save water.  Don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth.
6. Help save energy.  Turn off the lights when you leave the room and always turn off the TV when you’re finished watching it.
7. Wash fruits and vegetables.  Always wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them to wash off dirt.
8. Bring your own bags to the grocery store, so when they ask you if you want paper or plastic, say nada, I brought my own!  Did you know plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to break down?
9. Buy your produce from local farmers.  I think it always tastes fresher too…but I guess it would since it took a day to get to my store in Texas vs. 1400 miles from California.  Go figure.  To find your local farmers visit www.localharvest.org
10. Talk to your kids about the beauty of the Earth every day and the importance of doing our part both big and small to help preserve it.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!