Earth Day 2016

 

Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata

Earth Day is truly a time to reflect on our planet and all the gifts we receive from her, our food to eat, our water drink, air to breath and fire to keep warm. Its a day to realize how all things on our planet are connected and interdependent on each other. As a plant person, I think of the symbiotic relationships plants have with soil fungi, insects' relationships with plants, a bird's dependence on both, annual weather patterns which control the cycles of the flora so that the fauna may benefit. Its all tied together. And its beautiful.

For 26 years now the Atlantic County Utilities Authority has been celebrating Earth Day honoring our precious Mother Earth. This year it will be held Sunday, April 24th from 10am-4pm at their facility in Egg Harbor TWP. All the vendors and exhibitors are earth friendly themed. I love this event and have been participating for many years now. This year I will give a talk on my pollinator garden, my own living science lab and share what I have learned from it over the past two years so that others may also learn.

I will also be having my first sale of the year at my table near the food court. Speaking of food, last year there was a vendor there who was selling Chokeberry jam and Beach, made from local native plants. There are also beekeepers who sell local honey. All of these items are made via the labor of our pollinators. As pollinators' numbers have declined in recent years, it is important we do all we can to help the, out, after all we depend on them, the tiny unsung heroes.

Here is a list of some of the pollinator favorite plants I will be offering for sale:


Giant Sunflower - Helianthus giganteus

Giant Sunflower           

Sneezeweed

Orange Coneflower

Brown Eyed Susan

Purple Coneflower

Milkweed                        

Seaside Goldenrod                          

Anise Hyssop

Wild Stonecrop

Lyre Leaf Salvia

Bee Balm

Wild Bergamot

Blue Verain

Wild Pinks

In addition to my talk there will be other eco-friendly talks on bees, rain barrels and permaculture as well as live entertainment by Valerie Vaughn who is awesome by the way. Why not come out and spend the day? There is much to do and see, and I do hope to see you there. Be well.