For the Tomahawk Leader

Thursday, April 22 marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

“The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, when San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. “Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides, an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population—ventured outdoors and protested together.”

The years and decades that followed saw the passing of environmental protection laws and the continued mobilization of people around the globe, working to help improve the environment.

“Today, not only is Earth Day a day meant to increase awareness of environmental problems, but also it is also becoming a popular time for many communities to gather together to clean up litter, plant trees, or simply reflect on the beauty of nature,” the Almanac said.

Here are five ways to help care for the planet on Earth Day, courtesy of the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

1. Support our pollinators

Bring native bees and other pollinating creatures to your garden. One way to do this is by selecting the right plants. Need ideas?

Find a beauty or two from our list of plants that attract butterflies (www.almanac.com/plants-attract-butterflies) and plants that attract hummingbirds (www.almanac.com/content/plants-attract-hummingbirds).

Learn more about native bees (the super-pollinators!) at www.almanac.com/content/native-bees-best-pollinators-your-garden and see how to make a bee-friendly garden habitat including bee-friendly plants at www.gardenplanner.almanac.com/guides/plan-a-beefriendly-garden/.

2. Clean up plastic in your neighborhood or local park

One of the best ways to connect with the Earth is through cleanups!

Go on a walk with a trash bag and help to clean up any plastic that you find. Perhaps you know of a nearby ditch that is polluted with trash that needs a spring cleaning! You’ll start to realize that plastic permeates every aspect of our lives. But as the world wakes up to its addiction, just how easy is it to ditch plastic while growing and storing more of our own food? Don’t forget to recycle what plastic you can.

3. Plant a tree

We love our trees! They capture carbon, cool overheated places, benefit agriculture, support pollinators, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and boost local economies. Did you know that planting one oak tree brings in more insect and bird species than an entire yard of plants? Talk to your local government about planting more trees and native garden beds in public spaces or consider planting your own on your property!

Another way to make a difference is to ditch printed seed or plant catalogs. When you receive an unwanted catalog in the mail (especially those huge ones!), contact the company and ask to be removed from their print list.

Trees capture carbon, cool overheated places, benefit agriculture, support pollinators, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and boost local economies.

4. Use wildflowers and native plants

Wildflowers and indigenous species are not only beautiful, but also attract native and beneficial insects that improve both pest control and pollination—meaning bigger flowers and bigger harvests. Try to simply add a couple of native plants to your garden each year, and you’ll be amazed at the difference—they’ll bring in pollinators as well as birds!

Native wildflowers can help attract beneficial insects, birds and pollinators.

5. Get kids involved

Pass down a love of nature and plants to kids. There are lots of opportunities for hands-on learning experiences outside.

For ideas for gardening with kids and activites like planting a sunflower house, visit www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history.

For six simple garden projects for kids from the Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, visit www.almanac.com/kids/6-simple-garden-projects-kids.

For more at-home Earth Day activities, visit www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history.