11 ways to make a difference at Easton Earth Day

In our opinion, the best way to celebrate is to play a part in the festivities. Join us on Saturday, April 22nd from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at Lower Hackett Park for any (or all) of the top 11 ways:

1 – Creek Cleanup

According to a 2020 study, “Pennsylvania roadways are littered with approximately 502.5 million pieces of litter.” Lower Hackett Park runs alongside a roadway… with the Bushkill Creek running right through the park. Help clean up an important waterway at 4:00 at the Earth Day celebration.

Meet at the info booth, don’t forget to wear close-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. We’ll provide gloves and garbage bags!

2 – Clothing Swap

The fast fashion industry is a huge culprit of greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater, and worker exploitation. And yet less than 1% of clothing is recycled and textiles are churned out at faster and faster rates.

Let’s make an impact: bring gently used items to the Clothing Swap table anytime during the event. Things to share might include all genders’ shirts, pants, jackets, dresses, shoes, purses & backpacks, jewelry, and more. Then, feel free to browse even if you didn’t have much to share. Extra clothing at the end of the day will be donated; any items that aren’t fit to donate will be cut up to use for rags at the gardens.

3 – Upcycle your “trash”

Upcycled Gardening Workshops will be held from 2:30 to 3:00, and again from 4:30 to 5:00. Learn how to turn mundane items into garden tools, fertilizers, animal deterrents, and nifty supplies.

Want to bring anything to upcycle at Earth Day? Old blinds, coffee grounds, ripped clothing, spray bottles, CDs, cardboard tubes, glass jars, or aluminum foil from takeout containers (clean please!). Better yet, come with ideas of your own to share with the group!

4 – Feed our Soil

Join Easton Urban Farm to learn how to test your soil’s nutrients, acidity, and content. Healthy soil = a healthy garden and a healthy planet. Plus, check out the compost tea demo and take a jar home. Make an immediate difference and add the compost tea to your soil at home that evening.

5 – Become a Seed Librarian

Stop by the Seed Library table anytime during the event to learn more about our initiative to provide free seeds and save seeds too. Grab a packet for yourself! And give us a hand to replenish our “shelves.” Seed packets we finish that day will be provided for free to elementary schools, food pantries, events, and farmers’ markets.

6 – Ride a little greener 

Lower Hackett Park is located along the Wilson bike path. Walk, bike, or carpool to the event. There is definitely parking available, but you can show up in style. Plus, learn about bike safety at the Community Bike Works‘ activity table.

7 – Do Some Local Activities

There will be an excellent array of Easton-y organizations with info, activities, crafts, and more. Check out the Easton Farmers’ Market table for a local basket raffle, seed bomb making, upcycled crafts with West Ward Community Initiative, and more from Nurture Nature Center, Community Bike Works, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, Easton Environmental Advisory Council, PAZA Tree of Life, & Buy Fresh Buy Local.

8 – Share Tools

Interested in getting involved in a new Tool Share program? We’re setting up a lending library of garden & home improvement supplies. Stop by the Tool Share table to learn more. Want to contribute? Donate a few things to our inventory. A few ideas: tamper, post hole digger, needle nose pliers, wheelbarrow, measuring tape, extension cords, level, shovels, hoe, hot glue gun, bike pump, folding tent. Email gardens@eastonpartnership.org with ideas for donations. 

9 – Snack Sustainably 

A celebration just isn’t fun without some snacks. Nosh on some treats with a couple ideas in mind: 1) bring a reusable bottle/utensils 2) sort recyclables correctly 3) toss food scraps into the Easton Compost Program bins 4) Stick around at the end to distribute leftovers. For those who participate in the compost program, bring your bucket by to tip your scraps then too!

10 – Know Our home

Native plants, native peoples. Our home in the Lehigh Valley will be recognized by PAZA Tree of Life in a spring ceremonial prayer and planting in the Lower Hackett Microforest from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Join us for a special celebration to conclude Earth Day. 

Plus you can follow Rob Christopher, City of Easton Conservation Manager, on a walking tour and planting demo earlier from 3:00 – 4:00 pm in the Microforest. Learn more about native plants and landscapes. 

11 – Make a Pledge

Commit to making positive changes on Earth Day and beyond. Join Buy Fresh Buy Local and make a plan to use the freebies and lessons you learned at the Earth Day celebration. You’ll go home with free seedlings and saplings, upcycled clothing & garden tools, compost tea, ideas, and more. So… head home and put them to use!

Tag @eastongardenworks and @easton_urban_farm ~ we love to see what you’re up to.