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Today is National Florida Day! Florida contains over 400 years of U.S. history. It was the 27th State to unite with the USA in 1845 but its history is longer; it contains the oldest European-settled city in the U.S. Florida is nicknamed The Sunshine State because of its sunny climate and natural, lush beauty. The state houses over 20 million people and is the THIRD most populous state in the USA. Celebrate the natural wonder of Florida today!
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Arbor Day is only a week away! Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates the planting, upkeep, and preservation of trees. The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska; they planted approximately 1 million trees! Within 20 years, Arbor Day spread throughout the nation to every state save Deleware. In 1883, it spread internationally to Japan, Europe, Canada, and further. It became a national holiday in 1970 during Nixon’s presidency, and is now a treasured annual event across the globe.
The need for trees is ever-growing. According to UN Forestry Data, around ten million hectares of forest are destroyed globally every year; for reference, that’s an area the size of Portugal! Around half of the deforestation is offset by regrowing forests, so overall there’s a loss of around five million hectares each year. Imagine if we could bridge the gap; 1 hectare of #forest captures anywhere from 2-5 tonnes of #CO2 a year (this depends on several factors such as the rate of growth, the age of the forest, location, number of trees, and more). According to a 2019 survey, adding nearly 1 billion hectares of forest could remove two-thirds of the roughly 300 gigatons of carbon humans have added to the atmosphere since the 1800s.
Adding forests wouldn’t just sequester carbon; forests provide a host of added benefits including enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality, reduced erosion, improved air quality, and more. Forests can help provide jobs, recreation areas, and can attract tourists for everything from one-of-a-kind views to rare bird species. And it might sound cliche, but a forest starts with you.
So this Arbor Day, get your hands dirty and plant a tree! Visit the Arbor Day Foundation event map to see what’s happening in your area.
on Yesterday was National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. It was established by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance. Celebrated annually, it is designed to bring awareness to energy waste in businesses and homes. According to the mortgage company Freddie Mac, an average U.S. family spends $2,200 per year on energy bills. Cutting your energy waste helps you save money. Find a few suggestions below of changes you can make in your home to save more money in the long run:
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It is a well-known fact that the Earth rotates once every 24 hours. However, it wasn’t always common knowledge. It is thanks to the practical demonstration of Leon Foucault that we know about the Earth’s rotation. In 1851, the French physicist Foucault demonstrated how the planet rotates using his now-famous pendulum, the Foucault Pendulum.
A simple yet brilliant creation, the pendulum uses a suspended lead ball to indicate the rotation of the Earth over the course of a day. The pendulum is surrounded by small pins arranged in a circle, which the pendulum knocks down one by one, eventually completing a full rotation. Foucault first conducted his experiment in the Paris Observatory. It was then replicated in the Panthéon, where it remains an impressive centerpiece for visitors to view to this day.
Most discovery centers, planetariums, and museums have a version of Foucault’s Pendulum on display. However, you can also replicate this experiment at home with the kids using household items! For detailed instructions, visit this Resalvaged article to learn more.
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This weekend is the Camellia Show in Gainesville! Visit Kanapaha Gardens January 7-8th to enjoy the annual horticultural show. Garden guests will be allowed to view prize-winning camellia blooms cultivated by a variety of growers throughout the state. The blooms will be in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Visitors will learn all about how to care for and cultivate gorgeous camellias.
Additionally, there will be special camellias available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis. Kanapaha Gardens will also be offering guided garden walks throughout the weekend. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase bamboo plants during the Winter Bamboo Sale. The Gardens are a 68-acre nonprofit facility that welcomes pets. They also encourage guests to bring food and drink (non-alcoholic please) to enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Visit their website here for more information about the event!
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Today is a national day created to remind families to recycle their Christmas trees rather than burning them or tossing them on the curb. One way is to search Earth911’s recycling solution to see where you can recycle a tree near you. You can also be sure to make use of each part of the tree. Strip the pine needles to use the wood after allowing it to thoroughly dry out; you can use the wood for fires, carving, and more crafts. Even the pine needles themselves can be utilized! Collect the needles, place them in a large bowl filled with cold water, and gently rub the needles to wash off dust and other debris. You can then use the needles to make sprite-flavored natural soda or tea! Visit Ms Shi & Mr He’s pine needle recipe page here for details, warnings, and recipes!
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Tomorrow is National Day of Giving! It was officially created in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y partners in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation. Also known as Giving Tuesday, this globally celebrated day is designed to encourage the habit of giving among people and communities to make the world a brighter place. This can be as simple as giving a helping hand to an elderly neighbor carrying in groceries. However, it is also an opportunity to donate to those in need (mutual aid) as well as organizations, charities, and volunteer groups doing good. Giving Tuesday is also a fantastic opportunity to engage in community service. Find events or ideas on how to participate by visiting the official Giving Tuesday website here.
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Today is the last day of the Right Whale Festival in Fernandina Beach. Come down to Main Beach Park (32 N. Fletcher Ave) from 10am to 3pm to participate in this annual festival. Right Whale is part of a regional effort to educate the public on the endangered North Atlantic right whales. They give birth and nurse their young in the warmer waters offered by the coast of northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Sadly, there are fewer than 350 right whales remaining. The festival advocates for and educates on the protection of the species from extinction. There will be whale-themed activities, marine exhibits, live music, arts and craft vendors, kids’ activities, a beach clean-up, food, and more! The event is FREE for all ages. Learn more by visiting the official festival website here.
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This Sunday will be a packed day for C.M. Kidd Harris Park in Panama City. The day starts with a Raised Bed Event at 10am. Put on by Living Healthy. Simplified and the Quality of Life Department of Panama City, this is a volunteer event to get raised beds built and filled for the benefit of the surrounding community. Learn more by visiting the Raised Bed Event Facebook page here.
During the event, there will be a number of other activities taking place so the whole family can come out. There will be plant starters for kids so they can help get seasonal plants going for your home, a tour of the food forest park, and a tour to learn about backyard beekeeping at 1pm. This will also be the location of the Fall Seed and Plant Swap; learn more here! Bring seeds and plants to swap with other community members. There will be snacks and refreshments available but they are of a limited quantity, so please prepare for a day in the Florida sun by bringing your own water, sun protection, and comfy clothes.
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Main Street Blountstown is hosting a Ghost Walk on October 22nd from 6:30-8:45 pm. The walk is $7 per person while children under 10 years old or younger get in free. SPOTS ARE LIMITED. The walk will take participants around the streets of downtown Blountstown, shining a light on the spooky history of the city and things that go bump in the night. Visit the Facebook event page here to learn more and stay up-to-date on ticket availability.