Image: The Old Farmer’s Almanac, where they, too, have some excellent tips on how to celebrate.

Happy Earth Day! How are you celebrating?

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 yearly since 1970, inspires millions of people around the world to observe and take action in protecting our planet and ensuring healthy natural and built environments for all.

“INVEST IN OUR PLANET
Get Inspired. Take Action. Be a part of the green revolution.

For Earth Day 2023, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.” ~ EarthDay.org

Image: EarthDay.org

And, I will:

“Plant a Greenroof or Greenwall – or both to cool down our warming planet!” ~ Linda S. Velazquez, Greenroofs.com

Greenroofs.com – Think Globally, Act Locally

As an international online media company and comprehensive resource Connecting the Planet + Living Architecture promoting People, Projects & Solutions with our vibrant social network, Greenroofs.com continues to promote the work of many involved in green infrastructure at higher levels and greenroofs and greenwalls, specifically.

On a personal note, Aramis and I are spending tomorrow, Earth Day 2023, locally at the “Nature Talks and Walks for Earth Day” at the Longboat Island Chapel (FL).

There will be Sarasota Bay Walks on the beautiful Chapel grounds and exhibitions from the Florida Forest Service, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Save our Seabirds, Florida Maritime Museum and more before the panel discussion at 1:30 p.m. Topics of discussion include Sarasota Bay water quality, Mote Marine Laboratory research, wildlife conservation, ecology and coastal community planning.

Image: MOTE Marine Laboratory via Sarasota Magazine

Turtle Nesting Season starts here on May 1 and runs through October 1 (nesting usually occurs between May and August, hatching takes place from July through October). At night, giant loggerhead sea turtles swim up to our Southwest Florida beaches to lay their eggs in thousands of nests. Our local group, the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, has been in operation since 1969.

Our shorebirds are starting to arrive on Longboat Key, too, as it’s just about nesting season for shorebirds like the least terns, black skimmers, snowy plovers and American oystercatchers. Organizers rope off the different areas for the turtles and birds, and seeing them congregate on the beach is such a pleasure!

2022 Images: Linda S. Velazquez

Sunday, April 23, 2023 Update:

We had a great time yesterday, Earth Day, at the “Nature Talks and Walks for Earth Day” at the Longboat Island Chapel on Sarasota Bay – we even saw a manatee! Here are some photos:

Tour Guide Ross from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Image: Aramis Velazquez

About a hundred people were in the audience to hear from local Florida environmental groups as well as law enforcement officials, L to R: Dr. Jeffrey Driver, Dr. Dave Tomasko, John Ryan, Aaron Virgin, and Tim Thurman. Image: Aramis Velazquez

We’re also looking forward to participating on June 6 for World Green Roof Day. #WGRD2023 is a celebration of green roofs all over the world and the many benefits they bring to people and nature. Towns and cities globally are going green to adapt to climate change. Green roofs also provide vital wildlife habitat and make life better for everyone.

From our 2022 promotion. Images: Greenroofs.com

Also, we’ll be attending the World Green Infrastructure Congress 2023 in Berlin and Online: 27 – 29 June 2023. The three-day event will be presented in both English and German in five parallel sessions on all aspects of green buildings (roof, façade and interior greening) with the associated topics (including urban climate, rainwater management, sustainability, city of the future). Watch the Trailer video below:

Many other players from within our industry as well as related green communities have some wonderful happenings, resources, and inspiration to make Earth a healthier place to live:

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Image: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ regional 2023 Grey to Green Conferences will explore the most recent green infrastructure science, economic valuation, public policy, technologies, and best practices in design, installation, and maintenance for various types of green infrastructure, including green roofs and green walls. The goal is to make the case for a rapid and significant increase in green infrastructure investment:

• April 23 – 24 | Boston, Massachusetts – Sunday, April 23, 2023 Update:

“Due to inclement weather on Sunday April 23rd, the originally scheduled Green Roof Installation & Maintenance Professional Training will be rescheduled to Wednesday May 31st. Registration details will be posted as soon as possible.

The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Healing Gardens Tour will be cancelled due to inclement weather. Registrants will be invited by the tour guide to visit the site at a later date. The CALA Powderhouse Tour will also be cancelled due to the inclement weather that we will be experiencing in Boston. All other tours that are still on this website will still be operating rain or shine. Please prepare for rainy weather and pack a raincoat and/or waterproof clothing.” ~ Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

• June 11 – 12 | Toronto, Ontario
• August 9 – 10 | Grand Rapids, Michigan
• September 17 – 18 | New York, New York
• November 12 – 13 | Vancouver, British Columbia

U.S. EPA Heat Island Reduction Program

Image: U.S. EPA Heat Island Effect

From April 25 to 27, 2023, the second virtual National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) National Meeting will bring together stakeholders to discuss engaging communities and developing a shared vision for national heat resilience.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, EPA received billions of dollars for grants that are designed to help cut climate pollution, create cleaner air, advance environmental justice, create jobs, and save families money on their energy bills. Stay tuned to EPA’s Heat Island Reduction Program newsletter, State and Local Climate and Energy Program newsletter, and Environmental Justice listserv for updates!

The Environmental and Climate Justice Program Grants will advance environmental justice and support projects like community-led air pollution monitoring, prevention, and remediation; mitigating climate and health risks from heat islands, extreme heat, and wildfires; climate resiliency and adaptation; and reducing indoor air pollution.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Phase 1 Planning Grants are for the development, updating, or evaluation of state, local, tribal, or territorial plans to reduce climate pollution.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Urban and Community Forestry Grants will increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests, broaden community engagement in urban forest planning, and improve community resilience to climate change.

Want to access more news and resources? Visit their Heat Island Newsroom, which provides the latest news on heat island impacts, cooling strategies, scientific research, and community initiatives.

Image: U.S. EPA Heat Island Effect

Treehugger

“Hurray! In honor of the best holiday of the year, here’s a round-up of stories about this glorious globe we call home.” ~ Treehugger April 2023 Newsletter

Finally, as always, our colleagues at Treehugger have curated a great array of articles for us, including:

A picture of the Catatumbo Lightning. CC BY 3.0. Thechemicalengineer, via Treehugger

The History of Earth Day: Almost 20 million Americans filled the streets of their local communities on the first Earth Day in 1970.
13 Exquisitely Extreme Things About Planet Earth: In celebration of Earth Day: An ode to our awesome orb.
30 Easy Actions for Every Day of April: We’re already 2/3 of the way through our Earth Month Challenge, but it’s never too late to start!
On Earth Day, Make One Change: A small change can make a big difference over time.
The Best Earth Day Books for Kids: An author shares her favorite books to empower kids to be stewards of our planet.

Happy Earth Day!

However you support and celebrate, Happy Earth Day & Earth Month 2023!

Image: Linda S. Velazquez

Love the Earth, Plant a Roof (or Wall) – or if you can, just stroll through a patch of green or walk on a beach and enjoy nature’s beauty!

By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher & Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summits Host