Earth Day has special meaning for the N.C. Sierra Club - we're almost twins!
The Sierra Club's North Carolina Chapter was founded in 1970, the same year that the first Earth Day was observed. Sierrans statewide will be marking this special day on their own – hiking, kayaking or getting outside in other ways – and through group activities such as festivals and farmers' markets. Keep reading for ways to mark Earth Day 2024 on April 22 and all month long.
The Sierra Club has been organizing events nationwide. Check out the calendar, and be sure to click the option for virtual events.
The N.C. Chapter was honored to accept the Wake County Commission's proclamation designating Monday, April 22, as Earth Day 2024. Like many local governments, Wake County has organized a variety of initiatives for the occasion, including a craft fair and a fun fest for school-age kids.
Chapter Communications Manager Margaret Lillard attended the Wake County Commission meeting on April 1 at the invitation of Commissioner Cheryl Stallings (pictured, L-R). She noted the Chapter's ongoing mission to "explore, enjoy and protect" the planet, and thanked commissioners for their work to support the environment in Wake County.
Several of our local Groups across North Carolina are hosting or participating in events. Whether you're looking for an Earth Day activity or want to get involved with the Sierra Club in your area year-round, get in touch with your local Group – they'd love to have your energy and passion!
Cypress Group (Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Greene, Hertford, Hyde, Lenoir, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington, Wayne counties):
The Cypress Group and the N.C. Museum of Natural Science-Greenville are co-sponsoring a daylong Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20, in Grifton. The festival includes music, exhibitions, hands-on activities, kayaking and much more. Read more about the event in the Daily Reflector.
Headwaters Group (Durham, Granville, Person, Vance counties):
Did you know that March 21 was National Poetry Day? You can salute nature and the inspiration it provides to your literary side with the Headwaters Group as they host a celebration of poetry, spring and Earth Day on Sunday afternoon, April 21. This free event at Sandy Creek Park in Durham will include a bit of walking around the park to set the mood. Bring a favorite poem, and be ready to help create one if you're inspired!
Croatan Group (Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, Pamlico counties):
The Croatan Group is amping up its Plastics Free by the Sea program for Earth Month, with tabling planned at the Olde Beaufort Farmer's Market on two Saturdays this month, April 13 and April 20. The program helps promote alternatives to single-use plastics. Look for the Croatan Group under the live oak trees on the grounds of the county courthouse in Beaufort. And if you want to help out, contact Suzanne Wheatcraft.
Foothills Group (Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin counties):
The Foothills Group will be participating in two events: the Lewisville Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 13, and the Piedmont Environmental Alliance's Piedmont Earth Day Fair in Winston-Salem on Saturday, April 20. The Group will have a booth at each event to hand out information about its activities, the Sierra Club generally, and more. For more information or to volunteer at the booths, contact Henry Fansler.
Piedmont Plateau Group (Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Richmond counties):
The Piedmont Plateau Group will take part in Greensboro's Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20, in Keeley Park. Group volunteers will hand out Sierra Club pamphlets and will have posters with information about the Group and the environmental efforts of the Chapter. They'll also have postcards for sending messages to state and federal officials, plus fun for kids including making pinecone bird feeders and coloring Earth Day hats.
WNC Group (Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey counties):
The WNC Group will help highlight local efforts to fight plastic pollution on Earth Day in Woodfin. Plastics pose a significant threat to global ecosystems and public health, and our WNC Group volunteers have been working hard to encourage governments in their region to step up. Elected officials from Buncombe County, Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Woodfin will announce significant local initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on harmful single-use plastics. The news conference is scheduled for Monday, April 22, at 11 a.m. in Silverline Park, 1050 Riverside Dr., in Woodfin. Ken Brame, co-chair of the WNC Group's conservation committee, will be among the speakers.
