Celebrate Earth Day 2022 at the Station Gallery

By Amy L. Strong

You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to love Mother Earth!  Although, if asked, I might just nod my head and say that yes, indeed, I do love trees and have even hugged a few!  Many of my fondest childhood memories involve being under and among trees, as well as climbing up in them.  In a recent Backyard Gardening article, I wrote about forest bathing or shinrin-yoku, and described the many benefits of time spent in nature.  Earth Day reminds us that we all need to work together to preserve this planet so that future generations can also enjoy nature. 

Earth Day was first celebrated as an environmental revolution over fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970.  It’s again that time of year when Earth Day will be celebrated by millions across the globe.  Efforts will be made to educate people about issues currently affecting our planet, while encouraging environmental stewardship to address those issues.  Earth Day events – both big and small, involving group efforts as well as individual actions – will provide people with opportunities to take positive action for our planet.  For more information about Earth Day, see https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2022/. 

Here in Clinton County, a collaborative Earth Day event will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Station Gallery, 2 East Bald Eagle Street, Lock Haven.  This event will feature the Clinton County Arts Council, the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Clinton County, the Clinton County Conservation District, Lock Haven University’s Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (the International Honor Society in Education), and the Annie Halenbake Ross Library.

A nature/gardening-themed art exhibit will be located inside the Station Gallery, sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council.  This exhibit is entitled “What’s the Buzz,” and is a mixed media exhibit.  I would love for you to stop by and check it out. 

In response to all of the challenges to protect, restore, and regenerate our Earth, there are many groups willing to educate you on these issues and how you can help.  Protecting our ecosystems, wildlife, and pollinators doesn’t have to be difficult.  Here is one beautiful way that you can help:  Plant a pollinator-friendly garden!  By doing this, you will help provide food and habitat for pollinators, which include insects, such as bees and butterflies, as well as some bird species, and even bats (See Photo 1).  These pollinators, in turn, support the growth of flowering plants and trees, as well as wildlife, which will help to maintain a balanced natural ecosystem.  What does this mean for us?  Clean air, clean water, erosion control, and food – just to name a few benefits!  For more information, check out why pollinators are important at https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/importance.shtml.

The Penn State Master Gardeners can help you with planting a pollinator-friendly garden, and can even show you how to get your garden certified.  Stop by our booth on the steps of the Station Gallery this Saturday.  Copies of the “Application for Pollinator Friendly Garden Certification” will be available, or can be found online with more information at https://ento.psu.edu/research/centers/pollinators/public-outreach/cert.  Master Gardeners will also host an “Ask a Master Gardener” booth, so bring on the gardening questions.  A kids’ booth, also provided by Master Gardeners, will feature free activities, free coloring books, and free crayons! 

The Clinton County Conservation District will be auctioning off four rain barrels, giving out free pollinator seed packets, and hosting a make-your-own seed ball station.  They are also sponsoring Rick “The Butterfly Guy” Mikula, who will give a one-hour presentation on monarch butterflies (See Photo 2).   This presentation will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., inside the Station Gallery.  Rick is an award-winning author with several books to his credit.  He is also a photographer and habitat consultant, and has created butterfly atriums and gardens for Dolly Parton and Hershey Foods, among others.  Be sure to stop by and see him!

Lock Haven University’s Kappa Delta Pi will be hosting a series of interactive booths.  KDP will focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) educational activities for children.  Their booths will discuss the science of bee communication, how technology is helping to save bees, and how honeycombs are built by the bees.  You can also learn how beehives are constructed, as well as how to create your own pollen art.  For more information about STEAM education, visit https://www.steamtruck.org/blog/steam-education-history-importance.

The Annie Halenbake Ross Library will also be giving away pollinator seed ball kits.  All events are free, and everyone is welcome to attend! 

Amy Strong has been a certified Penn State Master Gardener of Clinton County since 2021.  She can be reached at clintonmg@psu.edu or through the Clinton County Master Gardener Hotline at (570) 858-0198.