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Sustainability Issue 2022: Honoring Earth Day, April 22, 2022

Roundup of Door County Earth Day Events

Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970: a time when Americans consumed vast amounts of leaded gas and tossed trash on the ground; industry belched out smoke and sludge; and air pollution smelled like prosperity. 

Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin, announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to raise public consciousness about air and water pollution. Earth Day organizers recruited Denis Hayes, a young activist, to orchestrate the campus teach-ins and chose April 22 as the date. 

That first Earth Day inspired 20 million Americans – 10% of the total population of the United States at the time – to protest the deterioration of the environment and the human-health impacts of industrial development. The rest is history.

Roundup of Earth Day Events

Roll up your sleeves, and prepare to get dirty on behalf of the planet

Earth Day is here, and that means community organizations up and down the peninsula are working together to host events to protect and improve the local environment. There will be plenty to do this weekend and throughout May: family activities, tree planting and giveaways, educational programs and more.

Cleanup Day

April 22, 10-11:30 am, Ephraim Historical Foundation

Join staff from the Ephraim Historical Foundation to help clean up the grounds at the Anderson Dock and Barn by picking up litter. Dress for the outdoors, and take work gloves if possible. Enjoy light refreshments and fellowship, too. Meet at the Anderson Barn, located at Anderson Lane and Highway 42.

Earth Day Show

April 22, 7-9 pm, Northern Sky Creative Center and Gould Theater, 9058 Cty A in Fish Creek 

Doc Heide will host, with music provided by Jeanne Kuhns, Terry Murphy and Paul Taylor. Write On, Door County will offer a spoken-word performance, and enjoy a sing-along at the end. Held as part of Every Day Is Earth Day. The suggested donation at the door is $10.

Every Day Is Earth Day Festival

April 23, 10 am – 4 pm, Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor

This is a center of activity! Check out a marketplace of ideas with tables from 16 organizations that care about our planet; attend eight presentations on topics including water, trees, energy-saving home retrofits, green shopping and composting; and enjoy a highlight for all bird lovers: an Open Door Bird Sanctuary program. Kids’ activities and food will also be available. Learn more at kresspavilion.org/ededfest.

Saturday Science

April 23, 2 pm, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

This family program will explore soil, which is far more than just dirt. Some activities will be outdoors, so dress for the weather. This program is intended for school-aged students, but learners of all ages are welcome.

Guided Restoration Tours and Activities

April 24, 2-4 pm, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

In addition to the following tours, the Door County Master Gardeners Association will be presenting educational programs; the Door County Seed Library will provide free seeds; and Nick Lutzke, Crossroads’ land and facilities manager, will offer tours of the plant nursery and explain the restoration project at Crossroads. Offered as part of Every Day Is Earth Day.

The new North Bridge at Crossroads in Sturgeon Bay.

2:15 pm: Wetland Restoration Tour 

Using the new North Bridge and boardwalks, see how Crossroads is removing aquatic invasive species and enhancing the habitat with native wetland trees, shrubs, wildflowers and sedges. Meet at the workshop in the main parking area.

3:15 pm: Riparian Restoration Tour

Using the new Cedar Crossing Bridge and boardwalks, learn from a restoration specialist how Crossroads is removing invasive shrubs and improving the forest and riparian habitats.

Master Gardeners Lecture

April 26, 6:30 pm, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

Ecologist Brad Herrick, research-program manager at the UW-Madison Arboretum, will talk about the possible harmful impacts of jumping worms to forests and gardens and will offer hope with potential control options. Presented in collaboration with Badger Talks and Crossroads at Big Creek.

Earth Day Work Day

April 30, 9 am – 12 pm, Potawatomi State Park, 3740 Cty PD (Park Dr.) in Sturgeon Bay

Join the Friends of Potawatomi State Park to clean up trails, spread wood chips at the playgrounds, pick up campsites and more. Meet at the shelter by the new accessible fishing pier.

Spring Work Weekend

April 30-May 1, 9 am – 5 pm, Open Door Bird Sanctuary, 4114 County Road I, Jacksonport

Join Open Door Bird and get the property ready for a season of special events and tours. Call 920.493.2473 for more information.

Community Cleanup Weekend

May 12-14, throughout Egg Harbor

Join the village staff and community businesses on May 12, or coordinate a cleanup in your area at a time that works for you. The village will have supplies available for pickup at the village office, which will be coordinated after you sign up. Fill out the form at villageofeggharbor.org/communitycleanup to register.

20th Annual Festival of Nature

Beginning May 13, throughout Door County

Festival of Nature activities will run May 13 – Aug. 6, including a full slate of field trips, classes and activities throughout the county. Visit ridgessanctuary.org to see the full schedule.

Garlic Mustard Pull Day

May 17, 9 am, Egg Harbor (Rain date: May 18, 9 am)

Garlic mustard is one of those noxious weeds the Village of Egg Harbor is focusing on eradicating. The program will start with a presentation to volunteers by Sam Koyen of the Door County Invasive Species Team, followed by heading out to tackle a large patch of garlic mustard along County G. Email Tom Strong at [email protected] for location details.

TREE GIVEAWAYS

• Swing into Spring, April 22, Prince of Peace Church, 1756 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay 

(Trees will be given out during this fundraising event.)

• April 23, 10 am, Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor

• April 24, 2-4 pm, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

• April 30, 10 am – 12 pm, YMCA, 3866 Gibraltar Road in Fish Creek

• May 7, 9 am – 12 pm, Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 Cty F (for Baileys Harbor residents)

• May 7, 9-11 am, Stabbur Beer Garden, 10698 N. Bay Shore Dr. in Sister Bay

• May 14, 9-11 am, Main Street Market, 7770 Hwy 42 in Egg Harbor

• May 21, 9-11 am, Southern Door School, 2073 Cty DK in Brussels

TREE PLANTING

April 22, 12-4 pm; and April 23, 9 am – 12 pm and 12-3 pm

Mud Lake Conservation Land, Baileys Harbor

Join the Forest Recovery Project as it plants trees as part of the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership’s Restore the Shore initiative. Dress for the weather, and take garden gloves and a water bottle. Meet at the small gravel parking lot just north of the zipline driveway.

April 23 and 30, May 7 and 21, all 9:30-11:30 am

Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

Join Crossroads’ Habitat Healers group to plant trees. Wear clothes that can get dirty and wet, along with appropriate footwear. Equipment, gloves, cookies and lemonade will be provided.

May 14, 9:30-11:30 am

Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay

Plant trees with the Climate Change Coalition.