Celebrate Earth Day by tapping into the power you have to protect our environment! Keep reading to discover ways you can make a difference.
Grow Native Plants
Growing native plants is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do for the planet. In contrast to non-natives, native plants require less water, manage rainwater runoff and protect the soil from erosion, and are the best plants for pollinators. In North Carolina, native plants include coneflowers, bee balm, blanket flowers, Black-eyed Susans, and more. Find a list here.
Support Pollinators
Pollinators (bees, butterflies, insects, birds, and small mammals) are the key to ensuring all aspects of the natural ecosystem are healthy and stable. Between 75% and 95% of all flowering plants on earth need help with pollination! It's easy to support these superheroes. Grow native plants, provide bird baths and ground water dishes for birds and bees, and avoid using pesticides - these sprays may kill pests, but they also harm pollinators.
Plant a Tree
You can never have too many trees! Stop by Wing Haven this week or this weekend during our Gardeners' Garden Tour and adopt a free tree provided by Bartlett Tree Experts.
Plus, visit TreeFest on April 25th for a family-friendly day of environmental learning and activities hosted by TreesCharlotte! Be sure to visit Wing Haven's table.
Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
People have our homes to find refuge in - help wildlife do the same!
It's easy to do this. By growing native plants, avoiding harmful sprays, and leaving dead leaves and seed pods on the ground instead of clearing them in the fall, you are giving nature's creatures a place to call home.
Get your habitat certified here!
Keep the Movement Going
While we celebrate Earth Day once a year, it's important to protect the planet year-round with eco-friendly habits. If you'd like to learn more about what you can do support our natural environment, visit the websites below:
City Nature Challenge
You can also visit Wing Haven this weekend to get involved in our City Nature Challenge!
This is a citizen science project for people to document the plants and wildlife they discover in their cities. It’s an effort to support urban biodiversity, encouraging conservation efforts all over the world.
The dates of this year’s Challenge are April 24-27. To participate, download the iNaturalist app, take a photo of what you see, and upload your photo to the app. It can be any wild plant, animal, fungi, mold, or any other evidence of life within Charlotte. Any observation helps us learn more about the world around us.
By Emma Hynek, Development & Engagement Manager