Can you feel it in the air? It’s Earth Day and Asheville is buzzing with intentions, ideas, and actions that support a healthier, more sustainable planet. This year, the holiday’s official theme is “Invest In Our Planet.” Here’s how you can celebrate our favorite planet (sorry, Pluto) and get involved on a local level:
- Participate in one (or all) of the nine challenges from WNC Food Waste Solutions’ Food Waste Reduction Month, which includes various compost initiatives, food waste hacks, and food scrap recipes.
- Donate your used mascara wands to the Wands for Wildlife initiative at the Asheville Mall on Sat., April 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The wands (which need gentle washing) will be repurposed to care for injured + orphaned wild animals. (Adorable video evidence here.)
- Bring your favorite kiddos to the Earth Day Kids Festival on Sun., April 24, 12-4 p.m. The event, now in its seventh year, includes fun + interactive programs from local environmental organizations, eco-friendly vendors, and an awards ceremony for the Voices of the River art and poetry contest.
- Attend Mother Earth Food’s 10-year anniversary + Earth Day party today, April 22 from 5-9 p.m. at Smoky Park Supper Club + celebrate this business’ work to support sustainable + organic farmers throughout the region. Bonus: There will be live music from Paula Hanke & In the Pocket and Cuddle In the Cosmos.
- Follow the lead of UNC Asheville students, who will join with 300 college campuses across the country to eat plant-based meals on Wed., April 27 as part of the “Grate-Ful” initiative.
- And don’t forget about our #BuyLocalBuyGreenAVL initiative, in which we’ve invited y’all to buy local + support sustainable business all week long (and hopefully after that too).
This content is sponsored by French Broad River Academy, an independent middle school in Asheville with separate campuses for boys and girls. Now enrolling for Fall 2022, the middle school experience combines academics, outdoors, service, and travel.
