Happy Earth Month! Here are some events happening this month that we think you’ll enjoy. Please note that some of the (virtual) events are recorded and can be viewed at a later date: once available, links to those recordings will be added here.
CELDF (Community Environmental Defense Fund)
Green Illusions: Confronting the Earth Day Myth
(Recorded) Thursday, April 1, 8pm | Webinar Series
Listen to our live Q&A as we confront the illusions of the so-called Environmental Movement. To rethink our approach towards lasting systemic change, we have to understand how environmental policies have fooled us into thinking we are engaged in meaningful change. We have more to offer than voting and our purchasing power. Individual actions make an impact, but our dismantling of unjust systemic barriers requires collective actions. We are far from powerless in this new climate reality.
- Beyond Earth Day series
- It’s not too late! you can see the recording here: Beyond Earth Day Series: Green Illusions
Ohio Sea Grant
Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes
(Recorded) Friday, April 9, 11:30am-1pm | Virtual
An estimated 10,000 tons of plastic pollution enter the Great Lakes each year. This talk will cover what we know about plastic in the Great Lakes, some science-based solutions, and ways to engage the public in reducing their plastics consumption.
- It’s not too late! you can see the recording here: Plastic Pollution in the Great Lakes
CELDF (Community Environmental Defense Fund)
Intersectionality: Why Racial Justice is Essential to The Environmental Movement
Thursday, April 15, 8pm | Webinar Series
Racial capitalism drives environmental degradation. White supremacy culture pervades movement spaces, preventing us from building collective power to our fullest potential. Why must we make the shift from white-centered environmentalism to intersectional organizing? Legitimate environmental work must be intertwined with movements for Black liberation and Indigenous sovereignty. Join us for an open discussion on why it’s important and how we get there.
Cleveland Metroparks
WILDFLOWER WALK
Saturday, April 17, 10–11:30am | Rocky River Reservation
Wander the woodland in search of beautiful ephemeral blooms. Bring your phone or camera and we will document what we find on the iNaturalist citizen science app. For questions/cancellations, please email baw@clevelandmetroparks.com
- Meeting at the Rocky River Nature Center
- Free, registration required
Cleveland Metroparks
Spring Hike
Sunday, April 18, 10–11:30am | Bedford Reservation
Join Naturalist Carly Martin as we marvel at the progress of Spring along this winding path. We’ll take time to look up and down and listen all around for the life around us. Questions/cancellations, please email cam@clevelandmetroparks.com
- Meeting at the Forbes Woods
- Free, registration required: Register here
Cleveland Metroparks
OWL DROP-IN
Monday, April 19, 4–6pm | North Chagrin Reservation
Stop by anytime during listed hours to meet the live ambassador owls in our outdoor aviary and see owl pellets and biofacts. A naturalist will be on hand to answer your questions. For questions, email northchagrinnc@clevelandmetroparks.com
- Held at the Nature Education Building
- Free, registration required
Kent State University
Worm Composting with Dr. Clement
Tues, April 20, 12–12:45pm | Virtual
Dr. Sue Clement, Associate Professor, Geology, will walk you through the steps on how to use worms to compost your kitchen scraps. Join us for a conversation and get valuable advice on how to help our Earth. Links and resources: Worm Composting [US EPA], Composting at Home – 2021 [US EPA]
Cleveland Metroparks
HONEY BEES
Wednesday, April 21, 1–2:30pm | Virtual
The population of honey bees has changed dramatically. We’ll discuss these important pollinators, consider their curious decline and review strategies for healthy honey bees in your backyard. Click the link below in Extended Content to register for this virtual Webex presentation.
- Free, registration required: Register here
Cleveland Metroparks
EARTH DAY URBAN BIRDING
Thursday, April 22, 9–10am | Lake Front Reservation
Join Naturalist Jen Brumfield to celebrate the urban green spaces that host an incredible diversity of animals and plants. We’ll look for newly-arrived migrant birds in the woods and fields of Wendy Park. Park in the gravel lot just east of the marina. QUESTIONS/CANCELLATIONS – please email jlb1@clevelandmetroparks.com
- Meeting at the Wendy Park
- Free, registration required: Register here
Cleveland Metroparks
EARTH DAY
Thursday, April 22, 1–2pm | Bedford Reservation
Join Naturalist Jeff Riebe on a hike to learn how people can help restore species diversity in our forests through careful management of invasive species. Arbor Picnic Area, For questions and cancellations, email northchagrinnc@clevelandmetroparks.com.
- Meeting at the Alexander Road Trailhead at Sagamore Creek
- Free, registration required: Register here
Cleveland Metroparks
EARTH DAY HIKE
Thursday, April 22, 1–2pm | Bradley Woods Reservation
Join Naturalist Jeff Riebe on a hike to learn how people can help restore species diversity in our forests through careful management of invasive species. Arbor Picnic Area, For questions and cancellations, email northchagrinnc@clevelandmetroparks.com.
- Meeting at the Codrington Shelterhouse Picnic Area
- Free, registration required: Register here
Cleveland Metroparks
EARTH DAY DROP IN: COMPOSTING 101
Thursday, April 22, 3–7pm | North Chagrin Reservation
Stop by anytime to learn how to setup and maintain an easy compost system at home. Beth Joyave will be on hand to answer your questions. Meet at the compost bins on the paved trail between the Nature Center and Nature Education Building. For questions, email northchagrinnc@clevelandmetroparks.com.
- Held at Brecksville Nature Center
- Free, registration required
Cleveland Metroparks
CHEERS ONLINE COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, April 22, 7–8:30pm | Virtual
Join our next online Community Meeting Thursday April 22 at 7 PM see the Concept Plan for CHEERS, developed as a result of community input to date! The CHEERS Partners want to hear from you about the initial plan and ideas for improvements to the lakefront east of downtown Cleveland. Please sign up at the link below. A Zoom link will be sent a day prior to the meeting.
- Free, registration required
Kent State University
Earth Day Environmental Justice Conference
Saturday, April 24, 8:30am–1pm | Virtual
The 2021 KSUEL Earth Day Environmental Justice Conference is an undergraduate research conference to be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 8:30am to 1pm. The theme is “Rethinking Food: Equity, Plant-based Consumption, and Alternatives.
- Free, registration required: Register here
Kent State University
Earth Day Environmental Justice Conference
Saturday, April 24, 8:30am–1pm | Virtual
The 2021 KSUEL Earth Day Environmental Justice Conference is an undergraduate research conference to be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 8:30am to 1pm. The theme is “Rethinking Food: Equity, Plant-based Consumption, and Alternatives.
- Free, registration required: Register here
Kent State University
Kent State University Earth Month Book Club
Tuesday, April 27, 7pm | Virtual
Join the book club in discussing “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
- Free, registration required: Register here
Ohio Sea Grant
Fish to Fork: Cooking Great LAkes Fish
Tuesday, April 27, 7pm | Virtual
JJoin the Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative and Ohio Sea Grant for a webinar about resources for Great Lakes fish and a demonstration of how to dress, prepare, and cook fish at home! Preparing fish at home may seem intimidating, but you can do it! Seafood is an important and nutritious source of protein we can all benefit from in our diets. This webinar will show you how to choose, prepare (from whole to fillet), and cook fish so you can take advantage of great fish in the Great Lakes. You’ll also learn about resources to find the freshest fish from commercial fisheries and fish farms in the region.
- Free; register here
CELDF (Community Environmental Defense Fund)
Beyond Earth Day: Earth-Centric Solutions by Disaster or Design
Thursday, April 29, 8pm | Webinar Series
In the final segment of our webinar series, we focus on how we can create local earth-centric solutions that respect the Rights of Nature and support future generations. How can we identify and avoid the false solutions that continue the same extractive practices and harmful outputs that are destroying the earth? We must be ready to admit that climate change will only continue if we rely on the same technologies and systems that got us here. Change is not “coming” — it is already here and rapidly intensifying. We can respond by disaster or design. We can respond by doubling down on the exploitative mindset that got us to this point and buying or legislating some of us out of a crisis, or by rejecting racial capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism by embracing collective liberation as the only meaningful solution.
MORE EVENTS LATER THIS SEASON:
Ohio State University
Garden Maintenance
Tuesday, June 1, 6–7:30pm | Webinar
Everyone Can Garden! [series]: Vegetable Gardening for People with Physical & Other Limitations. Learn how to manage various garden pests using Integrated Pest Management.
- Free, registration required: Register here
Ohio State University
Canning and Preservation Basics
Tuesday, July 20, 6–7:30pm | Webinar
Everyone Can Garden! [series]: Vegetable Gardening for People with Physical & Other Limitations. In this session you will learn how to get started with the rewarding process of canning and preserving the food you grew in your garden.
- Free, registration required: Register here
NEOplaneteers 