In April, the Great Waters Group suspends its regular monthly program in favor of Earth Day activities. While the Sierra Club is still holding back from in-person outings, many other local organizations have socially distant activities planned. Activities planned by our partners include:
Earth Day Community Tree Planting at Havenwoods State Forest
Celebrate Earth Day by planting trees from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at Havenwoods, Wisconsin's only urban state forest. COVID-19 protocols remain in place, so please wear your masks and leave adequate space between you and others. We also need to watch our total numbers, so PLEASE RSVP: https://forms.gle/LFrt8qSBKTQRPVEq9
Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup with Nearby Nature – Lincoln Creek
The Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup returns on Saturday morning, April 24, with special social distancing guidelines. This means advanced registration only, more and smaller cleanup sites, and staggered start times.
Nearby Nature, in partnership with Northwest Side Community Development Corp., has two sites on Lincoln Creek. Nearby Nature is an environmental justice and equity initiative that GWG supports. These sites are listed as "Class III," meaning they need lots of community care. Please click the links to sign up.
Earth Week at Urban Ecology Center – Washington Park
For several years, the Great Waters Group's environmental equity efforts have taken us to Washington Park for an Earth Day program. Due to the pandemic, UEC Washington Park is holding an "Earth Week," consisting of small volunteer gatherings throughout the week. Click here to read more and register.
Other activities
Of course, you can do cleanups in your own neighborhood on your own, help out at an urban farm such as Alice's Garden, or plant native species in your yard to provide food and habitat for native birds, butterflies and animals. There are many sources of information, including the UEC's Backyard Naturalist series on Naturescaping.
Finally, if you more in the mood for activism, the state budget public hearings are a huge opportunity to advocate for protections for air, water, public lands and public transportation. The only online public hearing is Wednesday, April 28. Let Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter know you're attending, and they'll send you the link to register as soon as it's announced, as well as talking points, resources and tips for testifying. Sign up here.