Celebrating Earth Month

What is Earth Month?

Earth Month is an annual celebration marked by efforts to support environmental protection. Earth Month, including Earth Day on April 22 includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. This year's theme is 'Invest In Our Planet'.

History of Earth Month

Earth Month was first started as a movement which later sparked the publication of the book ‘Silent Spring’ by Rachel Carson in 1962. The book became an environmental turning point for people after a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969 that caused major damage to the environment. In response to the tragedy, environmental activists committed themselves to encouraging people to become more environmentally aware. Earth Day, was initially launched as an international effort to motive environmental action. One day was not enough for the change for which environmentalists were advocating, so Earth Month was created. Earth Month was first celebrated on April 4, 1970. Today, Earth Month is recognized and celebrated worldwide.

• What is Earth Month

• How to get involved

5 ways you can celebrate Earth Month!

1. Get connected with Green Quinte.
2. Volunteer to 'Adopt-A-Trail' with Quinte Conservation.
3. Give your unwanted items a new home on Quinte West's Curbside Giveaway Day on April 15.
4. Gather a team to help clean up litter in the community at the Quinte Trash Bash on April 22.
5. Educate yourself about sustainability and environmental issues by watching documentaries, listening to podcasts and reading books.

Celebrating Earth Month in Quinte West

Quinte West Environmental Stewardship Committee 

Along with the events taking place during Earth Month (Trash Bash and Giveaway Day), the City of Quinte West's Environmental Stewardship Committee meets at different times throughout the year.

The Quinte West Environmental Stewardship Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of February, May, August and November at 3 p.m.

The next meeting is Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 3 p.m.

This committee guides decision-making on subjects including, but not limited to:

• Energy management
• Tree canopy
• Green technology capital
• Sustainability projects and programs
• Garbage and recycling
• Climate change

Quinte Trash Bash - April 22, 2023

Celebrate Earth Day by joining us on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as we take part in a community-wide cleanup in Belleville, Prince Edward County, Quinte West and Tyendinaga Township. Help keep Quinte clean by picking up litter from roadsides, parks and sidewalks.

• Saturday, April 22, 2023
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Public Works Operations Centre, 177 North Huff Ave., Trenton
• Supply kits will also be available for advance pick up at Quinte West City Hall and the Frankford Municipal Office the week of April 17-21.
• For more information, please email events@quintewest.ca

For more information visit quintetrashbash.ca

Quinte West Curbside Giveaway Day - April 15, 2023

Help reduce waste and find new-to-you items during the City of Quinte West’s annual curbside Giveaway Day.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., residents are invited to place unwanted household items in good condition on the curb in front of their homes for others to take. This is an excellent opportunity to give old items a new life and divert items from the landfill.

Residents can place their giveaway items at the curb or road in front of their homes and label them with stickers or signs to indicate they are free. Ensure to keep items not part of Giveaway Day separate from the giveaway items. Uncollected items should be removed from the curb at the end of the day to avoid fines from bylaw enforcement

Appropriate items to give away include DVDs, books, furniture, small appliances, kitchen items and construction materials, including hardware, lumber and drywall. The Consumer Product Safety Directorate of Health Canada advises against including cribs, car seats, strollers, bath seats and playpens to avoid unsafe use.

“This eco-friendly initiative helps divert useful items out of the landfill by giving them another home, and is the perfect kickstart to spring cleaning,” said Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison.

The rain date for this year’s Giveaway Day is Sunday, April 16, 2023. For more information, visit quintewest.ca/GiveawayDay.

Earth Month ideas and resources

Kids Corner

Activities and crafts to do this Earth Month with your kids:

• Celebrate Earth Month as a family

Craft videos:

• 3 Easy Earth Day Crafts & Activities for Toddlers (Adult supervision recommended)
• Environment Day Activities for kids
• Handprint Earth Day Craft for Kids (Adult supervision recommended)

Earth Month can be a great opportunity to teach your kids about the environment and our world using fun and creative activities.

8 Earth Day facts for kids:

1. Senator Gaylord Nelson was the founder of Earth Day in the early 1960's.
2. The first Earth Day was in 1970.
3. Earth Day went global in 1990.
4. About one billion people recognize Earth Day each year.
5. Earth Day always falls on April 22.
6. Earth Day is also known as 'International Mother Earth Day' around the world.
7. Each year, the Earth Day theme changes. This year it is "Invest in Our Planet".
8. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day.

Web Resources

• Earth Day - https://earthday.ca/
• Environment Ontario - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html
• Farm to Cafeteria - https://sustainontario.com/initiatives/farm-to-cafeteria-canada/
• Forest Ontario - https://forestsontario.ca/en/program/focus-on-forests
• Hike Ontario - https://hikeontario.com/
• Landscape Ontario - http://www.landscapontario.com/
• Nature Conservancy Canada - https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources - https://forestsontario.ca/en
• Wildlife Habitat Canada - https://whc.org/
• WWF Canada - https://www.wwf.ca/