Mother Earth Day . . . and Everyday

With Earth Day, 2011 just around the corner, human thoughts turn to the usual mundane Earth Day activities--a half day at a local park with co-workers, picking up trash, a morning spent at the elementary school digging a hole and planting a tree that hopefully someone tends properly, or,commonly for many of us, the realization while watching the evening news, that it was Earth Day and we hadn't yet even mentally acknowledged it.

The beauty of forgetting Earth Day, especially for those of us who live in an urban or suburban environment, is that there are a plethora of things to be done on any and every day. Even more importantly, by doing these things on a regular basis, we teach our children that these aren't things we do out of guilt one day a year, these are things we do as citizens of the earth that are as necessary a component of life as brushing our teeth and taking out the trash.

With that said, here is a list of five things you and yours can do to help save Mother Earth--because if Momma's not happy, then nobodies happy.

1. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up--you don't have to wait for a holiday.
2. Plant a pair of fruit trees or berry bushes. Many children in your neighborhood are in need of fresh fruit. Your local nursery would be happy to guide you regarding proper plant types for your area and size and care issues. They do involve work but the payoff is well worth it.
3. If you don't like the hassle of hauling your recyclables, separate them and set them beside your dumpster. Many people have resorted to gathering recyclables from alleyways to make ends meet so you are helping them and the environment.
4. Look for a neighbor you can share trips to the store or kids car pooling with. Less driving is good for the Earth and the pocketbook.
5. Organize a seasonal park cleanup and potluck picnic. Take tons of trash bags, water, good food and great friends and make a day of it four times a year at a favorite local park or hangout. We set up a spot to sort recyclables, have contests for the strangest, funniest and scariest found objects, roam the woods and stuff ourselves stupid. Kids and adults have a great time and many parks and recreation departments will donate a tree to plant in honor of your efforts any day of the year.

Caring for the Earth is a habit we all need to form, cultivate and teach. Happy Mother Earth Day!