Symmes, Township, Ohio – The Township will host the Symmes Eco Celebration on Saturday, April 12th at Symmes Park from 9 AM until Noon. This free event will celebrate Earth Day with exhibits, demos and fun activities. Also, explore nature with a walk and scavenger hunt.
In addition, the Township will hold a fishing derby for children age 5 through 12. Trophies will be awarded for the first caught and biggest fish. This activity requires registration by April 4th. Symmes residents will be given priority.
The Avon-Miami Masonic Lodge is having an Earth Day Rescue Event and Open House on April 22nd at their location on 11665 North Lebanon Rd. They will be hosting several other organizations from 10 AM until noon.
The Loveland-Symmes Fire Department will be there giving tours of a firetruck and ambulance, as well as teaching how to apply tourniquets & give AED Defibrillator demos.
Paws For Miles, a local animal rescue based out of Loveland, will also be there having a dog adoption event.
Avon-Miami Charities will be there having an electronics recycling event.
The theme is to not just help the planet on Earth Day but also help people and pets. Here is the link to the Facebook post about the event:
When I first heard that over 100 acres of Grailville were going to be a suburban housing development, I felt sick at heart. For a women’s organization committed to a vision of, among other things, spiritual search, social transformation, and ecological sustainability, this seemed like a travesty, a sacrilege. Now that Drees wants to increase the number of houses on site, there’s a chance to re-examine what’s possible. How can the history and vision of this place be honored, and the Grail choose another option?
Why do I care? Let me count the ways. I lived at Grailville in 1986 while I worked for the conference center and provided hospitality for the amazing gatherings that occurred; I’ve also attended many a program there and even led a few over the years. It was the location of the first Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) that my family joined, helping to grow the produce we shared every week over the growing season. During the time I spent at Grailville, I felt nurtured in my own search and dream to live a spiritually and ecologically sustainable life. It was the best place for retreat and reflection, work and play, creating and planning. It was an oasis and a beacon both.
Many can speak about the negative infrastructure impact of this proposed housing development on the surrounding community. Many can speak about the rich 75-plus-year cultural history of Grailville. But who will speak for nature? Does the land at Grailville mean more than mere property to be sold to the highest bidder?
What will happen to all the plants and animals that inhabit that space? What about the rich soil that was built over the years of organic growing, pastured livestock, and woodland growth? How can any of this be replaced?
And how can humans ignore their need for such places, and act like these places will always be there? Even though we are dependent on and part of the natural world, we are a society that is often placeless. We lack roots; we forget history; we bulldoze land. Yet we desperately need our connection with the natural world to feel whole, to be healthy. What happens to the Earth happens to us. We need more places like Grailville, not fewer.
Many of us are carrying pieces of Grailville’s vision elsewhere. My journey has taken me to the westside of Cincinnati where I strive to live an ecologically and spiritually balanced life. Still, I hope there is a more creative next chapter for the 100-plus acres that can carry Grailville’s vision forward. This many years later, I have gratitude for Grailville, for all I experienced and learned there. I want to know that her sacred ground is honored and will be there for future generations. That’s my Earth Day prayer.
Deborah Jordan lives in an eco neighborhood in East Price Hill where she’s about to release the 15th annual Central Ohio River Valley (CORV) Local Food Guide, connecting growers and eaters. Read the 2021 Local Food Guide.
President Biden Invites 40 World Leaders to Leaders Summit on Climate
Today, President Biden invited 40 world leaders to the Leaders Summit on Climate he will host on April 22 and 23. The virtual Leaders Summit will be live streamed for public viewing.
President Biden took action his first day in office to return the United States to the Paris Agreement. Days later, on January 27, he announced that he would soon convene a leaders summit to galvanize efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.
The Leaders Summit on Climate will underscore the urgency – and the economic benefits – of stronger climate action. It will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow.
Watch the “Live Feed”
In recent years, scientists have underscored the need to limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in order to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. A key goal of both the Leaders Summit and COP26 will be to catalyze efforts that keep that 1.5-degree goal within reach. The Summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.
By the time of the Summit, the United States will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. In his invitation, the President urged leaders to use the Summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition.
The Summit will reconvene the U.S.-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP. The President also invited the heads of other countries that are demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy. A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the Summit.
Key themes of the Summit will include:
Galvanizing efforts by the world’s major economies to reduce emissions during this critical decade to keep a limit to warming of 1.5 degree Celsius within reach.
Mobilizing public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition and to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts.
The economic benefits of climate action, with a strong emphasis on job creation, and the importance of ensuring all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a new clean energy economy.
Spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, while also creating enormous new economic opportunities and building the industries of the future.
Showcasing subnational and non-state actors that are committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, and are working closely with national governments to advance ambition and resilience.
Discussing opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change, address the global security challenges posed by climate change and the impact on readiness, and address the role of nature-based solutions in achieving net zero by 2050 goals.
Further details on the Summit agenda, additional participants, media access, and public viewing will be provided in the coming weeks.
The President invited the following leaders to participate in the Summit:
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda
President Alberto Fernandez, Argentina
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Australia
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh
Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Bhutan
President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada
President Sebastián Piñera, Chile
President Xi Jinping, People’s Republic of China
President Iván Duque Márquez, Colombia
President Félix Tshisekedi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Denmark
President Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission
President Charles Michel, European Council
President Emmanuel Macron, France
President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Gabon
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India
President Joko Widodo, Indonesia
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel
Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Italy
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Jamaica
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Japan
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya
President David Kabua, Republic of the Marshall Islands
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Mexico
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand
President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria
Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Norway
President Andrzej Duda, Poland
President Moon Jae-in, Republic of Korea
President Vladimir Putin, The Russian Federation
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore
President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates
“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling.” – Loveland first-grade teacher, Jennifer Miller.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – On April 22nd billions of people around the world celebrated Earth Day. Loveland 1st grade teacher, Jennifer Miller, decided to celebrate the day by taking her class on a field trip to two Loveland businesses to learn about just why reducing, reusing, and recycling is so important. Loveland Magazine’s very own, David Miller, got the opportunity to be a part of the Earth Day-themed field trip, when Ms. Miller’s class stopped by to learn about composting, rechargeable batteries, and LED light bulbs. David Miller also showed the students how individuals, families, and businesses can lower their negative impact on the environment. The tour of our offices highlighted some of the many pieces of office equipment, furniture, and everyday items that were re-claimed, repurposed, and purchased at the Loveland Goodwill Store.
For several years, the father and daughter duo have collaborated on practical writing lessons for the students, showing them how their writing can be published in their local newspaper.
Axel said, “Earth Day is made of kindness.”
When Ms. Miller was planning a field trip for her students, she wanted to be sure that everything the students did connect back to the importance of protecting our environment. The class began the field trip at The Loveland Goodwill Store where the students learned the importance of reusing and recycling clothing, household goods, books, and toys. The staff showed the students the donation center and explained why it is important to donate items you no longer use rather than throwing them away. Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!
Ms. Miller had each student bring an item from home to donate to the center in order to not only really understand the concept of reusing and recycling, but the satisfying feeling you get after doing it!
After celebrating Earth Day at Loveland Goodwill, the class then walked to Loveland Magazine. Though the distance was short, Ms. Miller thought this activity would really get the students thinking about energy conservation. Once the students arrived at Loveland Magazine they enjoyed a snack, but of course, it was also Earth Day themed! She gave the students the option of eating an apple or cutie so that they could then later put the core or the peel into Loveland Magazine’s compost bin. They were told how composting yard waste, fallen leaves, and kitchen scraps at a business can lower business expenses because the compost is turned into the potting soil for spring plants. It was explained that by not purchasing potting soil, what is basically dirt, it didn’t have to be shipped around the country using fossil fuels which contribute to carbon in the atmosphere. Mr. Miller said, “It doesn’t make sense to transport things like dirt using fossil fuel driven vehicles, and businesses need to be aware of this kind of impact on the climate whenever they purchase goods.”
After learning how to compost, Mr. Miller talked to the students about the importance of rechargeable batteries and LED light bulbs. He was able to get really interactive with the students by doing light bulb as well as battery demonstrations so that the students could visually see the importance of reusing, conserving energy, and recycling batteries instead of putting them into landfills.
“What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to walk to your local Goodwill store and to a local business to learn about reducing, reusing and recycling,” said Ms. Miller.
Ms. Miller followed the Earth Day presentation at Loveland Magazine by walking with her class back to school and straight into the classroom to write about the field trip! So just what did the students write? Let’s read some excerpts from the written reports!
Natalia – “We should take care of our environment.”
Samira – “I learned about recycling batteries.”
Hanna – “I learned that some kinds of light bulbs can be recycled and my favorite part of the trip was looking at the compost pile.”
Dean – “I was happy to see the awards on the wall David Miller received for helping the earth. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used and recycled. We celebrated in Loveland, Ohio. My favorite part was looking at the earth.”
Charlotte – “We went on a field trip on Earth Day. We looked at the compost pile. Earth Day is made of showing kindness and respect for our earth. We re-used, reduced, and recycled. We’re celebrating Loveland. My favorite part was the compost pile.”
Abdulloh – “We donated stuff that we don’t need.”
Lillian – “I liked learning about how certain light bulbs can save on energy use, about recycling batteries, and that using rechargeable batteries can help the environment. My favorite part was going to the Goodwill store.”
Tommy – “Walking to Goodwill was my favorite part.”
Constance – “My favorite thing was learning.”
Muhammadjon – “I noticed the toys and clothes at Goodwill that were there for recycling and reusing.”
Dylan – “I liked taking the peels left from our cuties and apple cores and putting them in the compost bin after snack.
Natalia – “ I liked composting the food scraps.”
Ben titled his report, “The Earth is my Friend” and said, “My favorite thing was visiting Loveland Magazine.”
Ashlynn – “My favorite part was the backyard at Loveland Magazine.”
Avery – “I learned to put food scraps in a compost bin.”
Axel – “Earth Day is made of kindness.”
After reading the students Earth Day reports, Ms. Miller was pleased with the impact she and her father had on the students. “My students learned firsthand the importance of donating items that their families no longer needed – to a local organization that helps others. We also learned the importance of making small changes in our daily life at work and school such as using LED lightbulbs, rechargeable batteries, and how to have a compost pile in your own backyard.”
Mr. Miller said he was really pleased that the students were so engaged in what might seem an adult topic because they are a long way from owning their own company or working in a business or corporation. “They did, however, most appreciate the compost bin and the contents – perhaps it was the playing in the dirt looking for worms and microbes!” he commented. “I am extremely pleased that so many moms came along on the trip as well. It’s important the children are safe while walking the busy street and I want them to be safe while here at Loveland Magazine also. It helps too that the class was so well behaved and polite.” He also talked about the wonderful hospitality showed toward the students at the Loveland Goodwill Store.
If you would like to experience the Earth Day field trip Mrs. Miller took her first graders on, watch the video below that Ms. Miller created! Also, take a look at the photos that her father took during the field trip.
Not only did Ms. Miller’s class have fun, but they had fun learning! It’s never too early to start protecting the environment!
Watch this video that Ms. Miller created for her students of their Earth Day activities.
Each year on April 22, more than one billion people in 192 countries celebrate the largest civic-focused day of action in the world: Earth Day. It’s a day chosen to commemorate the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970, and the annual event now includes themes, well-organized action plans, and events in cities big and small.
Beyond providing a platform to discuss particular challenges—like plastic pollution, this year’s theme—Earth Day is also an opportunity to recommit to environmentalism with the understanding that individual actions can make a difference.
Curbed searched communities across the country and around the world, consulted experts and advocates, and pulled from our voluminous coverage on sustainable cities to create a go-to guide for climate action. Our goal is to provide practical, implementable advice on an individual level, as well as to illustrate the power of collective commitments. We hope you will share more of your own ideas, inspirations, and suggestions in the comments.
