This year’s 50th Year Earth Day celebration happens in the midst of an uncertain yet hopeful time for our planet. We are collectively learning new ways of being together, physically distanced from our friends, but still emotionally connected. We are facing these new challenges armed with creativity and patience and are embracing technology with a new fervor. The Watershed Project and The City of Albany invites you to take an Earth Day journey with us and notice the nature that is all around us–outside our window, in our backyards, and in our neighborhoods.
Home Gardening: Growing your own plants is fun, relaxing, and good for the planet! It does take time, but now that many of us are home a lot more than before, watching the growth of new plants from seed to flower to fruit can be very rewarding. Tune into our home gardening series of videos for practical tips on growing vegetables, making a raised garden bed, and even installing a rain barrel.
Earth Day Art Contest: Sharpen your (colored) pencils and get ready, set, create! Craft a collage or pen a poem on the theme: What do you appreciate about your watershed? Prizes will be awarded. Entries must be submitted by May 3, 2020
Virtual Classrooms for Kids: What is a watershed anyway? Learn the answers to this and many other important questions about the natural world all around us while sheltering in place. Online classes for students in grades K-12 and their families are offered through google classroom. Classes are free.
Exploring Biodiversity: Have you ever wondered why certain flowers are always full of bees and butterflies? Or which trees and shrubs make the best bird habitat? Be a community scientist! Your observations on pollinators and birds in your backyard will contribute to a greater understanding and awareness of local bird and pollinator species. We are here to help you interpret your data collection and share findings of our own.