This week, communities worldwide will celebrate Earth Day and all that nature offers. They will commemorate environmental protection and reflect on the ways they can conserve and invest in the planet.

“For us at the NPCA, every day is Earth Day. Through our work and actions both big and small, we strive to make the Niagara Peninsula watershed a better place for all who live in it,” says Kerry Royer, Community Outreach Coordinator at NPCA. “There are many actions that the community can also take to join us in this daily celebration of nature. A healthy planet is not an option, it is a necessity, and we hope the community will be inspired to invest in our planet.”

Community members can join the celebration in a variety of ways, including:

• Visiting an NPCA Conservation Area and enjoying a hike.
• Making the transition to reusable everyday items.
• Creating a water conservation plan at home.
• Planting a backyard pollinator garden using only native plants.
• Heading out on a neighbourhood litter cleanup or backyard scavenger hunt.
• Participating in local Earth Day activities and events.

Among the many events taking place this week, members of the community can join the NPCA and the Lincoln Public Library for a virtual webinar on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. to learn how to incorporate beautiful native trees, shrubs, wildflowers into their backyards. Discover more on how to create a natural oasis for local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

The NPCA has partnered with Knight Archives for their Earth Day paper shredding initiative. From April 22 to May 22, residents can bring their paper for secure shredding or call 905-563-0847 to arrange pick-up. All proceeds from the 30 days will be used to plant trees at the Two-Mile Creek Conservation Area this spring.

A community favourite — the St. Johns Trout Pond Opening— will make a come back on Sat. April 23 at 10 a.m. The pond will open officially for the trout fishing season, and visitors are welcome to gather with family and friends for a fishing day or to enjoy a scenic hike through the conservation area.

The celebration will continue Saturday, with the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup of West Niagara, hosted by the Grimsby Rotary Club and the Town of Grimsby. Community members are invited to volunteer from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to clean up any area of their choice, with more than 15 to choose from, including the NPCA’s Beamer Memorial Conservation Area.

Volunteers can also participate in this Saturday’s Earth Day Planting at Malcolmson Eco-Park, hosted by the Friends of Malcolmson Eco-Park. Advanced registration is not necessary, but attendees should bring a shovel and be prepared to plant trees, work in the gardens, and help clean up the park.

“As we celebrate our planet this year, we must remember that we don’t need a special day to celebrate how special Earth is, as there are certainly infinite reasons to celebrate it every single day,” adds Kerry.

Community members interested in participating in the above-mentioned events and initiatives are encouraged to learn more before attending, as some events may require registration. More information can be found at https://npca.ca/events.

To learn more about the NPCA, visit www.npca.ca. Follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay in the know.

About NPCA:

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With more than 60 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.

The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.