Three Green Things for April

Heart-shaped paper Earth surrounded by paper hands made with many different skin tone colors.There are three green things to remember for April:

#1 Apply for a Green Grant

Attention Scouts, Friends-of groups, civic organizations, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and others!  Now is the time to apply for a Green Grant to accomplish that sustainable project or start a new program!  Get support for recycling bins in your classroom, cigarette butt receptacles in a problem area, native plants in a vacant area, or supplies for volunteers to pick up litter.

See our webpage for more details and apply by April 30, 2024 to be included in the judging process. Thirty grants will be awarded, with one being announced each day in June.

#2 Participate in The Great Virginia Greenup

It’s that time of year for the Great Virginia Greenup!  The Great Virginia Greenup is a statewide effort to beautify the Commonwealth from the first day of spring to the first day of summer each year. You can organize a neighborhood cleanup; comb the beach for plastic that’s washed ashore; pick up litter at the playground; plant trees and flowers, especially native plants; or join other groups hosting events in many parts of the state.  Just browse through our Events Calendar to see if there’s a group hosting an event near you.

If you participate in a cleanup or any green activity, we want to know about it!  Report your results and we’ll enter your name to win a Sustainability Sampler kit!

#3 Every Day is Earth Day!

Earth Day was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement and increase ecological awareness. He hired Denis Hayes, a Harvard grad student, and together they organized the first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970.  EARTHDAY.ORG continues to mobilize over 1 billion people annually to protect the planet.

Do you think you’re doing a good job with sustainability?  Here’s a Trash Tracker to test how well you’re recycling in your home, a Word Search for recyclable items, and a National Geographic list of quizzes to test your Earth Day knowledge!

There are so many reasons to celebrate and love the Earth every day!