Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet

 

For the first time in its history, we are continuing the important theme for a second year. Invest In Our Planet. 

This year, we rally behind the theme “Invest In Our Planet”, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path toward a prosperous future. When we Invest In Our Planet together, we are supporting healthy, happy, and wealthy communities worldwide. Visit EARTHDAY.ORG to learn more and sign up for updates on our work.

Today Is Earth Day 2023

 

Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable,

#InvestInOurPlanet. 

The Earth Day 2023 theme is focused on engaging the more than 1 billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize our collective responsibility and help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all. We are focused on reframing the conversation, accelerating action, and bringing everyone together to understand that this is within our reach if we work together.  

Whether you are taking action virtually or in person - you can join the largest environmental movement on Earth!

For more information on Earth Day 2023, the official theme, updates, and how to get involved, please visit: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/

Early registration deadline for the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is April 22

The early registration deadline for the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is April 22. Registering early allows you to save on adult registration fees, be eligible for early entry prizes, and head directly to the beach!

The Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament is a family-friendly event held on Sunday, May 21, at Island Beach State Park. Prizes are awarded to winners in a variety of age groups and fish species categories.

REGISTRATION LINK

About Island Beach State Park

Earth Day 2023 Is April 22

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.

For information on things you can do this year, see earthday.org/earth-day-2023

RESOURCES
How To Do Earth Day 2023 Toolkit 
The Great Global Cleanup Toolkit

Some ways to celebrate Earth Day 2023 with events shared by the NJ Sierra Club.

Check their calendar for events this month and into the future.

April 19- Barnegat Bay Blitz Land Cleanup (Ocean Co.) 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This is the 9th year that the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club is participating in the "Blitz" cleanup. We'll meet Lauren Keltos, NJDEP Team Captain Barnegat Township, at the Barnegat public launch area. From there we'll travel to areas identified in need of cleanup in the area. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

April 22- Earth Day Cleanup at Mercer County Park (Mercer Co.)
We will walk trails along Lake Mercer and the woods and fields. Today is the 53rd Anniversary of Earth Day. Join the NJ Sierra Club and enjoy the outdoors as we clean up litter. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Leashed dogs are welcome. There are facilities.

April 22- Earth Day Fair in Sparta
The Sparta Township Environmental Commission and Green Team will host an Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 22 at the Municipal Building located at 65 Main Street, Sparta, NJ. The fair will run from 11am to 3pm. The Skylands Group members will have a table at the event.

April 24- Raritan Valley & Central Jersey Spring hike, Davidson's Mill Pond Park
3-4 miles, easy pace. We begin at the yellow trail, a grassy/rocky section that includes narrow boardwalks over swampy areas. The forested blue trail has elevations, exposed roots to step over, and large stones for steps in some sections. 

April 29- Cattus Island County Park Nature Festival and Hike 10 a.m.
The park is celebrating 43 years of Connecting Community with Nature. The festival will have nature walks, kayak trips, live animal talks, music, and food vendors. We'll walk Pinelands woods trails, and the sandy trails around marshes, and along Silver Bays beaches while looking for Osprey in nesting platforms. Leashed dogs are welcome.

May 7- Raritan Valley Group Earth Day
Join the Raritan Valley Group for Earth Day celebrations, Sunday, May 7 from 11am - 3pm at North 3rd Avenue, between Raritan Avenue & Denison Street - The Earth Day event will be happening on one arm (N.3rd Ave) of the HP Street Fair.

April 22- Drive Electric Day Montclair 2023
See EVs, talk with EV drivers, hear about their experiences, and hear all the benefits of EVs. We'll have a variety of electric cars on display, as well as e-bikes, and even an electric school bus. We'll be just down the street from the Northeast Earth Coalition Earth Day celebration in Crane Park.

And on April 29- Drive Electric Earth Day Event at the Sussex County Mall on Hampton Road in Newton, NJ between 11am and 4pm to examine a display of electric vehicles (EVs). We are adjacent to the Newton Classic Car Show. EV owners and dealers will share their experiences with you in collaboration with the Central Jersey Electric Auto Association in order to highlight electric vehicles during Earth Week. Your host, Skylands Group, Sierra Club NJ Chapter will have information and handouts available.

April 23- Surfrider Jersey Shore Earth Day Celebration
Meet our staff, Anjuli, Taylor, and Jackie, who will be tabling with a membership raffle, Sierra Club merchandise, and trivia! The celebration will be held at the Whitechapel Projects at 15 2nd Ave. Long Branch NJ 07740.  There will be a beach cleanup from 10AM-12PM and then the celebration will begin at 1-5PM where there will be music, food, and beverages. Family friendly.

Film: Dark Sacred Night

Jared Flesher's “Dark Sacred Night,” is a short (16 minutes) documentary about the rapidly increasing problem of light pollution. Dark skies are threatened or endangered depending on where you are on the planet.

This is International Dark Sky Week. It's a good reminder to look up at the night sky and see the stars and planets - if you can see them.

The award-winning documentary is now live for all to watch on YouTube.

More than 80 percent of the world’s population, and 99 percent of Americans and Europeans, now live under light-polluted skies. Many people live and die without ever seeing the Milky Way. 

Princeton University astrophysicist Gaspar Bakos wants to change that. He is one of a growing number of experts championing simple, commonsense changes to outdoor lighting that can dramatically reduce light pollution. 

As Bakos teaches, light pollution is a problem that impacts far more than astronomical research and stargazers. New studies show that excessive amounts of outdoor lighting contribute to a range of human health problems, squander energy, and have a dramatic negative impact on wildlife, particularly birds and insects. 

Bakos’s approach is to promote change one streetlight at a time. Simple solutions to light pollution can be summed up in a few words: make lights dimmer, shield lights so they only shine downward, and use warm-colored lightbulbs. 

In Princeton, New Jersey, where Bakos lives and works, he dreams of a park set aside for dark sky viewing, where all surrounding lights are muted and properly shielded. By setting a good example, he hopes other communities will be inspired to do the same. 

Crossposted at Weekends in Paradelle