It is not just superheroes who can save the world.
It is everyone’s responsibility, and Sunday’s Earth Day Festival at the Springfield Museums has organizers hoping to get that message across.
“The hope is that people care about the planet every day. Our Earth Day Festival is a time to stop by the museum and learn different ways to protect, clean up and keep our planet healthy,” said Jenny Powers, director, Science Museum. “Our hope is that visitors on Sunday will learn about some of the greatest climate issues of our time and how they have a direct impact on us here in Springfield, where we are feeling its effects, and beyond.”
The annual celebration of clean air, land, and water will feature eco-friendly demonstrations and special exhibits on the Quadrangle Green. A wide array of environmental programs and activities are designed to get everyone thinking locally and globally about conservationism and to promote fun, recreational ways to enjoy the outdoors, and learning about the beautiful natural world.
The event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public.
Among the many environmental exhibitors setting up tables on the Quadrangle Green will be Allen Bird Club, birding activities; Professor Richard Little, rare Jurassic armored mud ball; All Energy Solar; Western Massachusetts Youth Climate Leadership Program of Mass Audubon; Western Massachusetts Master Gardner Association, educational activities; Mass Audubon Springfield; University of St. Joseph, Environmental Science Program; Regreen Springfield; Greening the Gateway Cities Program – Springfield; Springfield Forestry Division, seedling giveaway; Springfield Garden Club; Environmental Center for Our Schools, paper making activity; Western MA Council Boy Scouts of America, bird house kits, fishing game; Mass Wildlife Angler Education Program, casting instruction; Springfield Department of Public Works, recycling activities; US Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, pelts and skulls; Tom’s Wildflower Honey; ener-G-save/Cooler Communities, free energy audit sign-up; and The Naturalists’ Club.
“Our goal is to inform people not only on Earth Day but every day about nature and the beauty around them,” said David Gallup, president of The Naturalists’ Club, who will have four tables at the festival.
Founded in 1969, the Naturalists’ Club has as its mission to “actively promote knowledge, appreciation, and preservation of our natural environment.” Hikes, paddles, and bike rides held many weekends year-round, and all kinds of field trips and occasional organized travels to intriguing natural places around the world, immerse members in nature. Monthly meetings and programs are held at the Springfield Science Museum. Visit naturalist-club.org for membership information and upcoming events, as well as to view their latest extensive and informative educational newsletter.
In addition to providing copies of their latest newsletter at the festival, visitors will be introduced through microscopic images the “smallest things in nature that you don’t see,” Gallup said, as well as the opportunity to make tote bags with recycled materials and learning the benefits of keeping a nature journal.
“I think the importance of Earth Day and events like ours at the museum is to help families to become more aware, if not already, of the world around them. We must all take time to slow down and enjoy the beauties of nature…..to put our phones away and enjoy the sunset and budding trees and flowers around us. Poets and naturalists have been telling us that for years,” Gallup said, who also serves as a planetarium educator at the Science Museum.
“The night sky is a part of nature and very relaxing to watch,” he added, noting the Seymour Planetarium in the Science Museum will be open on Sunday with shows portraying the wonders of the night sky. Tickets are $5 for ages 8 and older, in addition to museum admission.
To add to all the Earth Day fun, the Boys of the Landfill Bluegrass Band will perform environmental songs at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Since the very first Earth Day in 1970, millions of people from more than 190 countries worldwide have come together every April 22 to stand up for the planet and champion a greener, more equitable future for everyone. Now in its 54th year, Earth Day, founded by EARTHDAY.ORG, serves as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility for everyone to safeguard the environment and our own future.
For more information on the free Earth Day Festival and tickets to the Science Museum – one ticket includes all five museums – visit the Springfield Museums’ website.
