Boca Expert Realty Real Estate Blog

What and When is Earth Day?

I’m sure that we can all agree that protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources is critically important. Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22, and it marks the anniversary of the start of the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day was  April 22, 1970 - so we are celebrating the 46th anniversary this year! Did you know that Earth Day is the largest secular observance worldwide? Over one billion people across the planet participate in Earth Day activities!
Here are some suggestions for things to do to commemorate Earth Day:
Get involved in a Cleanup:
There are several beach and mangrove cleanups in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach communities on April 16, as well as April 22 and 23. If you are a diver, you can even do an underwater reef clean-up at the Jupiter Dive Center.  Visit Great American Cleanup  (Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful) for various dates and times of local clean-ups.
Attend a special Earth Day Event:
You can go to the Florida Earth Festival 3rd Annual fair on Sunday, April 23 in Boca Raton. There will be plenty of indoor and outdoor events aimed at educating both young and not-so-young on efforts being made toward a sustainable lifestyle, including energy, air, and water workshops for kids.
Take the family to one of these great Nature Centers:
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - One of Boca Raton’s most visited attractions, Gumbo Limbo encompasses 20 acres of protected barrier island and is committed to increase public awareness of our coastal and marine ecosystems. They are instrumental in protecting the nests of sea turtles along our beaches. It is well worth visiting this local treasure.
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge - Located approximately seven miles west of Boynton Beach, the refuge is a part of the network of lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge is set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife and plants.
Green Cay Nature Center - This is Palm Beach County’s newest nature center, located in Delray Beach. It has 1 ½ miles of elevated boardwalk over acres of constructed wetlands. You can take a guided audio tour, or learn about the habitat through guided signs and explanations along the way. This center is a photographer’s dream, with many rare birds and species to be spotted amongst the wetlands.
Daggerwing Nature Center is located in west Boca Raton in the South County Regional Park complex. Here you can engage in educational exhibits as well as view an abundance of plant and wildlife including storks, alligators, bromeliads, and the daggerwing butterfly.
Do our part at home:
Get a smart thermostat - The Nest thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature based upon your living patterns. Besides looking great, you can save electricity on your heating and air conditioning at the same time.
Reduce your use of disposable plastic products - did you know that the majority of plastic waste is not recyclable? Every bit of plastic that has been created still exists, unless it has been incinerated (releasing toxins). Let’s all do our part by not using throw-away disposable plastics. Every little bit helps our planet.
End Junk Mail - We get tons (literally) of junk mail. Did you know that in the US, nearly 4 million tons of junk mail are produced each year? This paper consumes so many trees and so much water, it really is a waste. Read here to find out ways that you can reduce the junk mail that you receive.

These are just some ideas of ways to get started helping our environment and making our planet a safe place for future generations. All of us at Boca Expert Realty wish you a Happy Earth Day!