Top 6 reasons not to miss Earth Day 2019 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on April 20

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It’s Birmingham’s longest-running Earth Day celebration heading into its 22nd year. Here’s why one and all should come to Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Saturday, April 20, 11AM-3PM. This community event is free and open to the public.

1. Talkin’ ‘Bout That Next Generation

“The April 22 Earth Day event started nationally in 1970 as a forum to talk about complex environmental issues involving the political affairs at the time,” said Dawn Lee, education activities specialist with the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Peaceful demonstrations for environmental reform were part of that, too.

“Earth Day celebrations around the world continue this tradition and we at the Gardens use our event to encourage families to introduce the younger members of their family to these same environmental issues through fun, hands-on and engaging activities.”

Dawn Lee

2. Our Favorite Math and Science Duo

When Winfield and Elinor Burks retired, they set out to teach math and science to children across Birmingham. Now they’ve been presenting hands-on lessons for more than two decades.

Catch the Burks at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Earth Day 2019. Your kids and teens will love them, and you will, too.

3. So Many Fun Earth Day Activities

Oil and water don’t mix, but art and science will on Earth Day at the Gardens. A craft project that relies on the physical properties of oil and water will teach the whole family an important environmental lesson.

You’ll find ways to connect with the greater Birmingham community, too.

Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a nonprofit visiting from Woodlawn, will host their annual Earth Day community quilt. They invite everyone to sew a square for a quilt honoring Alabama’s unsung heroines. (Don’t worry about sewing skill level. Bib & Tucker makes it easy for all ages.)

Other environmental science activities lined up for Earth Day 2019 at the Gardens range from recycled paper and toys to rain gauge calculators.

Did I mention the free photo booth provided by Little Red Photobooth and music by DJ Tommy Ellison of TomFoolery Productions?

4. Experts on Hand

If you have questions about stormwater management, or the best way to get rid of weeds, find resources on hand at Earth Day 2019 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 20.

Take ZEOG, for instance. It might sound like a sci-fi character name, but it stands for Zero Emissions Owners Group. On Earth Day, the ZEOG crew will be at the Gardens with a supercool display of electric cars and power tools. Beyond show-and-tell, they can answer your consumer-related questions from firsthand experience. Here’s who else to expect:

• Adelante Alabama Worker Center
• Alabama Partners For Clean Air
• Alabama Section of the American Chemical Society
• Jefferson County Master Gardener Association
• Jefferson County Stormwater Program; Development Services Department
• Jefferson County Conservation District
• City of Birmingham, Stormwater Management

5. Herb Garden Class ($5-$7)

Before the Earth Day festivities begin at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 20, volunteers from the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Herb Plant Group are teaching a class from 9AM to noon.

This budget-friendly class for experts and novices is $5 for members and $7 for nonmembers. You’ll learn how to select herbs and how to make them thrive in your home garden. Register here.

Pro Tip:

Stock up on herbs at the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens 50th Anniversary Spring Plant Sale coming up April 12-14. Then head to the herb garden class at the Gardens early on April 20 to learn how to make them thrive. The sale is free and open to the public. Register online today for the class.

When class gets out, enjoy an afternoon of free Earth Day festivities at the Gardens.

6. Spring at the Gardens

April is prime time for spring at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Plus, the Alabama Tourism Department named the Gardens no. 1 on its list of top 10 free state attractions for 2018. So while you’re there for Earth Day, take a stroll and soak it in.

“Come out for Earth Day to enjoy a fun afternoon with family in nature and learn about how some of our local environmental groups are helping to keep the Earth clean with fun, creative activities.”  

Dawn Lee, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Find Birmingham Botanical Gardens at 2612, Lane Park Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35233. Follow the Gardens on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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