MONTGOMERY EARTH DAY FAIR “AT HOME”
LIVE EVENTS, FILMS, VIRTUAL LEARNING & FAMILY ACTIVITIES!
Due to the State of Emergency and in accordance with Governor Murphy’s executive order 
limiting public gatherings, the Montgomery Township Environmental Commission has has decided to cancel this year’s Earth Day Fair, scheduled for Sunday May 3. We are disappointed to cancel, particularly as this year coincides with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but it is in the best interest of the safety and health of our vendors, exhibitors, volunteers and Fair-goers.
The Environmental Commission has gathered some online resources and activities that you can do to celebrate the 50th anniversary of EARTH DAY AT HOME!
EARTH DAY HISTORY:
Who thought of Earth Day and how did it start? https://www.earthday.org/history/
EARTH DAY EVENTS ON WED., APRIL 22:
1:00 PM
New Jersey’s Changing Climate
presented by Dr. David A. Robinson from Rutgers University
live- streamed on April 22 from 1 to 2:30 pm
Register: https://bit.ly/RegisterEarthDay
2:00 PM
The Story of Plastic
Documentary Broadcast Release
EST/PST on Discovery Channel (US)
More at: https://www.storyofplastic.org
7:30 PM
Saving The Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport (ANJEC event)
Viewing & Live Discussion with filmmaker
Wednesday, April 22 7:30pm (Earth Day)(https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/209354445)
More about this documentary
CARE FOR YOUR CORNER OF THE EARTH
– FREE MILKWEED PLANTS ON EARTH DAY!
Swamp Milkweed plants will be available for pickup in front of the Municipal Building starting on EARTH DAY, Wednesday, April 22 after 10 AM (limited number; first come, first serve). Please observe safe social distancing when picking up a plant. If another person is picking up, wait in your car until they’re done, or stand at least 6’ apart. Milkweed plants are particularly important for the Monarch Butterfly population; milkweed is the sole food source for caterpillars, but serves as a food source for hundreds of other insects & pollinators. Plant your milkweed in a location with full sun, and water it regularly. More care instructions can be found here.
The Watershed Institute also has suggestions on how to clean up litter from your yard & your neighborhood (safely): https://thewatershed.org/stream-cleanups/
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:
NJDEP Earth Day & Birthday page of virtual activities, environmental lessons and tours of beloved state parks & historic sites: https://www.nj.gov/dep/dep50/activities.html
Raritan Headwaters education resources (new activities released every Monday): https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/education/learningresources/
50 Earth Day activities: https://tinkerlab.com/fifty-earth-day-activities/
Seed bombs, DIY birdfeeder, salt dough tree ornaments & more: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/hands-on-earth-day-activities-for-kids/
Earth Day suncatcher (using a coffee filter & paint): https://thekindergartenconnection.com/earth-day-craft-for-kids/
Activities/lessons for older kids: https://www.weareteachers.com/meaningful-earth-day-activities/
ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES:
Live online activities/events: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
Farmer’s Almanac (history of Earth Day & activities): https://www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history
How to make a backyard bee bath: https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/how-to-build-a-bee-bath
How to regrow food from scraps: https://foodrevolution.org/blog/reduce-food-waste-regrow-from-scraps/
Starting a backyard compost pile: https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/backyard-composting-basics-a-cheatsheet/
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS:
Duke Farms Bald Eagle cam: https://www.dukefarms.org/making-an-impact/eagle-cam/
Nature Conservancy virtual field trips: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/virtual-field-trips/
National Park Service virtual tours: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
EVEN NOW: Every Day is Earth Day in Montgomery Township
4-17-20