Starting in 1970, Earth Day has fallen on April 22nd each year to demonstrate support for global and local environmental protection.
This large scale movement is commemorated in South Windsor each year with a variety of festivities, including a celebration held by the Parks and Recreation Department, an Earth Day parade at Orchard Hill Elementary School and more.
The celebration held by the Parks and Recreation Department took place on Saturday, April 12th from 10am to 1pm and included booths with crafters, producers and educators promoting environmental preservation.
The South Windsor ‘Down to Earth Garden Club’ had a tent at the event that provided information about native plants for pollinators and upcoming club projects. Their booth also helped provide education about gardening and its benefits.
“Gardening is a great stress relieving activity and offers fresh vegetables or beautiful flowers as a bonus. A small plot or even a container on your deck can offer a space to grow almost anything with good sun exposure,” the club told The Prowl.
They capitalize on informing residents about invasive plants in South Windsor, as that is a major environmental problem that the town faces.
“Invasive plants are pervasive in South Windsor,” the club said. “We encourage people to make themselves aware of removal and control measures and to plant native plants as an alternative as a way to be more environmentally conscious.”
In addition to the Parks and Recreation Department, elementary schools throughout South Windsor have their own traditions to celebrate Earth Day.
At Orchard Hill Elementary School, the whole school participated in an Earth Day march on April 22nd, walking from the elementary school to Timothy Edwards Middle School (TE).
“The parade includes our marching band and even our mascot,” Orchard Hill Principal Michael Tortora said. “Families line the parade route and the students and staff also cheer us on as we march in front of their school.”
In addition to the parade, students and staff make Earth Day posters and dress in Earth Day attire.
In anticipation of Earth Day, the student leadership team at Philip R. Smith Elementary School hosted a fundraiser and made various donations to environmentally friendly groups.
South Windsor High School’s environmental club provides opportunities for high schoolers to celebrate this important day through their Trees For a Change fundraiser. The fundraiser raises money to send saplings to California to rehabilitate areas affected by the recent wildfires.
Though Earth Day is only a single day, South Windsor residents participate in efforts to better the planet throughout the year. One such effort is composting, in which people save food scraps and let them break down naturally into nutrient-rich materials.
According to Anthony Mafre, the town Superintendent of Pollution Control, the nationwide solid waste stream is 25-30% organic material (food scraps). By composting food scraps instead of throwing them out, this percentage can be lowered.
“More attention has been shifted to prevent organics from being thrown out and have it composted into a nutrient rich soil conditioner,” Mafre told The Prowl.
An additional precaution South Windsor takes to promote environmental conservation, is the Adopt-a-Road program. Local organizations, businesses, or individuals can sponsor a section of a public road, agreeing to adopt responsibility for removing unwanted litter and debris.
The town of South Windsor, as a whole, is dedicated to instilling habitual environmentally friendly behaviors and values within residents, and enjoys showcasing the culmination efforts on Earth Day. You can go to thebobcatprowl.com to see the QR code for trees for a change in order to purchase a tree.
