Earth Day 2020
Celebrate Earth Day 2020!
This is the 50th year of the Earth Day celebration. What is it all about? Over the last 50 years, Earth Day has encouraged helping endangered species, preventing pollution, saving energy, and helping people around the earth stay healthy and happy. The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action - how can we come together to support our planet?
Below are activities, and resources for learning and engagement to celebrate Earth Day 2020!
- Activity 1: Incredible Journey of Water(opens in new window) Learn about the water cycle and the importance of water in our watersheds, oceans and more. Learn about the travels of a drop of water in the Blue Traveler(opens in new window) game(opens in new window).
- Activity 2: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle(opens in new window) So, you think that you have run out of supplies for activities? Well, maybe not! What can you imagine that plastic container can be turned into? Have you watch something decompose? Can you make your own paper? Check out these ideas on how you can help our planet by reusing, recycling and just plain reducing our trash!
- Activity 3: Endangered Species Parade (PDF) Celebrate our animal friends! Make a puppet of your favorite endangered species. Plan a parade with your family around the house and share stories of your animal.
- Activity 4: Garden Detectives (opens in new window)Tired of being inside? Get ready to be a garden detective. Gateway Gardens(opens in new window) are closed right now, but there are so many ways to explore! Then explore our virtual exhibit: Wildflowers, Watercolor & Wonder: The Edward Stuhl Collection(opens in new window) and learn more about botanical illustration, specimen preservation, and making a plant collection!
Earth Day 2020 Resources
Earth Day Network(opens in new window): Learn more about the history of Earth Day, what's shaping Earth Day this year, and find events near you.
Kids Environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle(opens in new window): Through games, activities, and lessons, learn about what you can do to eliminate waste and protect our environment.
NASA: Climate Kids(opens in new window): Games, videos and activities that explore global climate change and how NASA keeps an eye on our Earth's health.
Earth Day Virtual Mini Film Festival(opens in new window): Free screenings of earth, climate, and environmental films every day during the entire week of 2020 Earth Day!
Climate Action Heroes(opens in new window): Planet Earth needs our help. Discover your inner climate action hero!
Hands-on Earth Science Activities(opens in new window): A collection of all-things Earth science! Lessons for at-home learning, Earth videos, e-books, Earth apps, and citizen science.
Nat Geo @ Home: This Earth Day, let the planet inspire both you and your family. Find fun activities that can encourage your kids to be creative and explore the world while at home.
The Chico State Museums invite you to continue the celebration!
Book In Common 2019-2020
The Book in Common(opens in new window) is a shared, community read, designed to promote discussion and understanding of important issues facing the broader community. The Book in Common is chosen each year by a group of university faculty and staff and community members. The 2019-2020 Book in Common is In Search of The Canary Tree, by Lauren E. Oakes.
From the publisher:
“The surprisingly hopeful story of one woman’s search for resiliency in a warming world.
Several years ago, ecologist Lauren E. Oakes set out from California for Alaska’s old-growth forests to hunt for a dying tree: the yellow-cedar. With climate change as the culprit, the death of this species meant loss for many Alaskans. Oakes and her research team wanted to chronicle how plants and people could cope with their rapidly changing world. Amidst the standing dead, she discovered the resiliency of forgotten forests, flourishing again in the wake of destruction, and a diverse community of people who persevered to create new relationships with the emerging environment. Eloquent, insightful, and deeply heartening, In Search of the Canary Tree is a case for hope in a warming world.”