Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Five great ways to honor the planet on Earth Day

EXPLORE SOUTHWEST FORIDA

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

Students protested air pollution and some cities banned the use of cars for the day on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day in history. Today’s activities focus locally on clean water, sea level rise, the plastic crisis and education.

Various nature attractions celebrate the 49th anniversary of that first Earth Day with special activities on and around Monday, April 22. The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau suggests the following five ways to celebrate Earth Day this year.

The Big Calusa — Countywide, April 22-28, calusawaterkeeper.org/events/ big-calusa.

Calusa Waterkeeper kicks off this week-long, family friendly festival on Earth Day with waterways cleanup efforts in partnership with Keep Lee County Beautiful, kayak outfitters, civic and service groups, churches and schools. It culminates with an awards ceremony on April 28 that rewards those who clean the most garbage out of waterways and post photos to social media with the hashtag #calusacleanup. Throughout the week, educational, recreational and cultural activities take place at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (www.sbdac.com) in downtown Fort Myers and North Shore Park (www.leeparks.org) in North Fort Myers.

Earth Day at the Refuge — Sanibel Island, April 22, 472-1100, www.dingdarlingsociety.org.

Because Earth Day 2019 falls on the Monday following Easter, a day off for Lee County Schools students, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has expanded its free annual event to include a full day of tours, crafts, films and programs. Families can take part in recycled Earth crafts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the admission-free Visitor & Education Center, where they can meet Bagzilla, a “bag monster” dressed in the average person’s annual plastic bag consumption. Bike or hike Wildlife Drive for free from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., join guided tours, attend special programs and watch free films about the scourge of plastic in our waterways.

Yoga on the Beach — Fort Myers Beach, April 22, 463-4588, www.floridastateparks.org.

Greet Earth Day with a sun salutation at Lovers Key State Park’s beach gazebo. The tram to the beach departs from the parking lot at 9 a.m. Class fee is $10 per person plus park admission: $8 per vehicle containing two to eight people, $4 for a single motorist, $2 for a bicyclist or pedestrian. Bring your own yoga mat and water.

Earth Day Presentation — Sanibel Island, April 22, 472-2329, www.sccf.org.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is basing its annual Earth Day presentation this year on sea level rise, starting at 2 p.m. Four SCCF biologists and scientists will be talking about causes, challenges, impact on sea turtles and birds, and preparation. Admission is free, but online registration is recommended.

Earth Day Birthday Celebration — Fort Myers, April 27, 275-3435, www.calusanature.org.

Enjoy a Saturday filled with craft beer, food trucks, games, crafts, educational programming, guided walks, live music and animal encounters at Calusa Nature Center. The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the center is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Food and beverage purchases are extra.

For more information about nature attractions and special events around The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com. ¦

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