Celebrate Earth Day At Home In City of Ankeny

Press release from the City of Ankeny:

April 21, 2020

For the last 14 years, the City of Ankeny has proudly gathered volunteers to hold a stream and trail cleanup event on Earth Day. This year, Earth Day will look a little different due to COVID-19. The cleanup event has been canceled but that does mean you can’t still take part in Earth Day activities at home.

Earth Day Tree Giveaway

The City of Ankeny will be giving away tree seedlings on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM, (or while they last) at the Maintenance Facility, 211 SE Lorenz Drive. The tree seedlings will be placed in buckets by the free mulch and compost bins. Staff will not be on-site to assist. Tree give away is first come, first served, limit of two trees per household. Social distancing is required, please keep a safe distance of 6 feet and only send one person to pick up the seedlings. The following trees will be available: Bur Oak, Northern Pecan, River Birch and Sycamore. Learn more about the trees here. The tree giveaway is for Ankeny residents only.

Activities for Kids

• Backyard Scavenger Hunt – have fun exploring the outdoors in your own backyard by finding everything on this list.
• Create a homemade bird feeder! According to the National Audubon Society, Iowa has nearly 390 recorded species of birds, including everything from waterfowl to warblers. See what birds you can find in your own backyard! (credit: https://www.audubon.org/news/birding-iowa)
• Don’t have bird seed, try one of these alternatives: http://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-birds/feeding-birds/feeding-birds-kitchen-items/
• Create your own masterpiece using recycled items:

• Use sticks from your yard and get creative for the leaves-buttons, cereal, paint, seeds-anything you can find!
• Recycle those old egg cartons into beautiful spring flowers!

Earth Day Tips

1. Plant a tree – we are giving away tree seedlings on Earth Day. See details below.
2. Clean-up trash from your yard and the street around your home.
3. Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with efficient CFLs or LEDs.
4. Stop using disposable plastics and paper, especially single-use plastics like bottles, bags, straws, paper plates and paper towels.
5. Recycle paper, plastic and glass.
6. Donate your old clothes and home goods instead of throwing them out. When you need something, consider buying used items.
7. Change your paper bills to online billing.
8. Use reusable bottles for water, and reusable mugs for coffee.
9. Take a shorter shower and use a water-saving shower head.
10. Fix leaky faucets and shower-heads.
11. Conserve water outdoors by only watering your lawn in the early morning or late at night. Use drought-resistant plants in dry areas.
12. Turn off and unplug electronics you’re not using. This includes turning off your computer at night.
13. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
14. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
15. Use energy-efficient appliances and electronics.

*Earth Day tips provided by EarthDay.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Ankeny. The views expressed here are the author’s own.