Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
Howard Zinn

The week between Earth Day and Arbor Day (April 22 – April 29) is one of my favorite times of the year. Signs of spring are everywhere, and hope and new life abounds. The sun is waking us up earlier, I can sit in my screened porch for coffee, and it’s almost time to break out the flip flops. The ice is officially out on Lake Minnetonka and nature’s babies are starting to make their appearance.

If you are looking for an outlet for your spring fever, put your energy to work by doing a good deed for Mother Nature.

 ·       Choose to walk, bike, or use public transportation for the entire day.

·       Visit a garden center as a family and pick out a new tree to plant or donate one to your faith community, nature center or other community organization. My favorite is the white pine with its soft green needles and year round color.

·       Let dandelions decorate your lawn as they are our pollinator’s first source of food.

·       Participate in “No Mow May”. The City of Edina and others have already embraced this practice of letting the grass grow during May to allow pollinators a healthy start …and you get to enjoy no-guilt hammock time!

·       See if you can go solar. Getting clean energy from the sun is an excellent way to reduce your household’s carbon footprint (and your energy bills). My church’s Green Team just celebrated our new rooftop solar garden that will save $203,000 over the panel lifetime.

·       Embrace The Gift of Green Time. My first book in this series is all about how to disconnect and reconnect with your family outdoors in Door County, WI. I’m excited to announce that the Lake Minnetonka version of this book is due out in June 2022. For more info or pre-orders, feel free to reach out to me at hello@bevgillen.com or visit the website at bevgillen.com.