Celebrate Earth Day
By loving your place
For the past two weeks, we’ve been listening to the soundscape of our places. Last week, I went for a walk at a local trail where there is a large pond and heard the unmistakable mating calls of spring peepers, small frogs with loud voices. Hear my peepers.
“Peepers breed in small temporary wetlands that are filled with water in springtime but dry in the summer. These “vernal pools” are crucial breeding sites for many frogs and salamanders.” ~ Dr. Gary Lovett, Forest Ecologist
Dr. Lovett explains how climate change has affected the emergence of the peepers and also how important these wetlands are to their survival. When we listen fully and deeply, we begin to see these connections, and have a greater understanding of our place and what it needs.
What have you heard? What connections have you made? If you’re not sure of the answer to this question, then it’s the perfect time to go even deeper in your listening. This week, on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day.
Earth Day 2022
This year is the 52nd anniversary of this annual day of action and reflection. 1970, when it began, marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Although I believe that every day should be Earth Day, it’s good to have a day set aside to just be thankful for this planet we all live on.
What does this have to do with seeing your place? Everything. As I’ve mentioned many times before, we have the greatest impact when we act locally. And, we have to love our places enough to act.
I’m part of a group called A Greener Future and have participated in the past in their program to clean up litter at the lake. This month they’re spearheading a nationwide project called Butt Blitz, where people are collecting cigarette butts from the ground and sending them to a company, TerraCycle, who recycles them into plastic pellets for building outdoor furniture, like park benches.
The goal is not to shame smokers, but to bring awareness to the toxic nature of these butts for the ground and water, to get people walking outdoors, and to do something positive for their place. There are alternatives to throwing butts on the ground, for example, pocket ashtrays, and recycling containers just for butts. I live in a tourist town with many bars and restaurants, so there are many butts to be found. It’s been an eye-opener.
How will you celebrate the earth and your place this week?
Practice
Many people do a symbolic act on Earth Day, like planting a tree, or picking up litter. What will you do? You could donate to a local organization or attend an Earth Day event. Or, you could spend more time just listening. Anything to restore or heal the earth beneath your feet and express gratitude.
Share with us what you did or are hearing in the comments or on Instagram (add the hashtag #seeingyourplace2022).
Resources
TerraCycle recycles much more than butts.
We are the Earth - Remembering Thomas Berry