ITALICS: The Biggest Little Farm, para 8; Minimalism, para 9; Tidying Up, para 9; last sentence
At a time when so many aspects of daily life are recalibrating, we can still find ways to celebrate our community’s Earth Month. Perhaps more than ever we are awakening to the value of the resource of a healthy and plentiful planet to call home.
Many of us are already finding more motivation or time to spend outside, in our gardens, or making wholesome meals from home. If you are looking for ways to spring even further into care for the earth, we have some ideas to inspire.
While some places around the globe are closing down public beaches and popular hiking destinations, Powell River residents are still encouraged to engage in safe and “physical-distancing-appropriate” exploration of trails, beaches, and lakes, with the exception of provincial parks, which are now closed. There are free online maps of the extensive Sunshine Coast Trail system we are fortunate to be able to enjoy.
Bring a garbage bag and some gloves and clean up litter along the trail as a way to give back. The more adventurous of people out there may even engage in a little trail maintenance of their favourite spots to keep them in great condition for all.
Those who want to stick closer to home may be looking out at their neglected lawns and finally thinking about getting their hands in the soil. If ever there was a perfect time to get into theFood Not Lawns movement, this may be it. Growing a vegetable garden and planting fruit trees increases food security and reduces all the waste involved in food packaging and transportation, with the added bonuses of high quality and freshness.
Powell River permaculture teacher Ron Berezan recently offered a webinar about backyard gardening that is now available on YouTube. In it, he highlights ways to acquire resources such as seeds, starts and garden amendments during this time of physical distancing and decreased availability.
Also, recently released online is The Biggest Little Farm, which follows a couple’s journey to transform a desolate acreage into a sustainable farm, acknowledging their successes and failures along the way.
After a day out on the trails or cutting back a blackberry bush, you may be ready to chill on the sofa. There are plenty of ways to keep the earth-loving vibes going even from there. Here’s our list of recommended documentaries to check out online: Minimalism and Marie Komo’s series Tidying Up both get into the joys of reducing our possessions and simplifying. A word of reminder, though, thrift stores are closed and trips to the recycling depots and transfer station should be avoided unless absolutely necessary for now.
Crafters may like to get into the Hearts from Powell River way of connecting with the community by putting hearts in their windows. Adding an image of the earth for April’s Earth Month could be an appropriate addition.
However you choose to celebrate, loving up the planet always seems to end up in us receiving a gift in return, be it carrots from the garden or the fresh perspective of a day out in the sun.
Let’s Talk Trash is qathet Regional District’s waste-reduction education program.
