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Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden will host family friendly gatherings throughout April and into early May in celebration of Earth Day (April 22). Offered at no cost to participants, these activities are designed to inspire, rejuvenate, and connect people of all ages to the natural world.
“Spending time in nature can help us release stress, experience gratitude, express creativity, and so much more. Basically, we’re using Earth Day as an excuse to get everyone to come play outside and remember how important it is for each of us to nurture our connection to the natural world,” said Emily Kohl, Boxerwood’s executive director. This year’s theme, “Every Day is Earth Day,” emphasizes the garden’s commitment to fostering an ongoing relationship between the community and the environment.
“Our Earth Day plans build on the momentum of last year’s community production of ‘Spectacle: A Wild Notion,’” remarked Kohl. “The October performances sent the message that none of us has to take on the world alone, and we’re stronger together. Many in our community are concerned about the future of our planet. Boxerwood offers connection and action as an antidote to that fear and uncertainty.”
Boxerwood’s Earth Day offerings include plein air watercolor painting, family yoga, a labyrinth build, and more.
“I’m most excited for the April 27 tree planting,” said Kohl. “That’s when the ‘why’ of these events really comes full circle. We want to help folks reignite their love of the natural world, and then find ways to step up for what they love.” TheApril 27 event honors the life and legacy of Mollie Messimer, Boxerwood’s first education steward, who died in January.
After a morning of planting native trees along Sarahs Run (near Waddell), everyone is invited to bring a picnic to the field at Boxerwood. Picnickers get to select a bare root tree to take home with them, too. “Mollie had great passion for Earth stewardship,” said Kohl, “and we love how our activities this spring both reflect and root these values.”
Registration for most of Boxerwood’s Earth Day activities is limited and likely to fill quickly. To view the whole schedule of events and RSVP, visit boxerwood.org/ events.
