Earth Day 2021 means more this year than ever – after a challenging year, with too much time inside, and especially too much time staring into screens, the urge to get outside and connect with the earth is potent. The YS Wildlife Habitat Community has pulled several groups together – Tecumseh Land Trust, Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Arthur Morgan Institute for Community Solutions, the Village of YS, and it’s Environmental Commission – to celebrate a whole Earth Week with inspiring and educational activities. The group with help from lots of local gardeners. has been working for over a year, and attained status as a National Wildlife Federation “Certified Wildlife Community” Community Habitat Certification usually takes a few years to complete, however, Yellow Springs completed it in a record time of 7 months and this was recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a Top 10 Community Achievement in 2020. The team will also continue to work on annual recertification requirements.
April is also Ohio Native Plant Month, and just signed into law, National Native Plant Month. It is fitting that the Wildlife Habitat Community banner will be up during April in recognition of the importance of native plants in supporting resilient ecosystems and the work our community is doing to plant wildlife habitat and extend pollinator corridors. There are even more ways to participate and learn this year – these events can get you started! Call 937-767-9490 for further information on these Yellow Springs Earth Week activities.
April 22 Earth Day Tours at Agraria
Agraria invites the public to tour the property from noon - 6pm. Tours will start every half an hour. No more than 5 people on a tour. Tours will take 30 to 60 minutes.
131 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd, Yellow Springs
April 23 & 24 7-9pm Hometown Habitat Film Screening followed by Q&A with Film Director Catherine Zimmerman
A film focused on educating about how and why native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems. Limited Seating: We can host 25 people each night.
To Register at:https://bit.ly/Earth-Day-Film-Screening
Agraria Barn 131 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd, Yellow Springs.
April 24 10am-1pm Native Plant Swap and Sale
Glen Helen Nature Preserve’s Main parking lot at 405 Corry St., Yellow Springs. Bring native plants you’d like to thin out and share from your own garden, and swap them for other native plants you’d like to add. But don’t stay away for lack of native plants to swap – you can also purchase plants that day. If you want to clear out some plants to share them with us prior to April 24, that’s great!! Call 937-767-9490 or e-mail krista@tecumsehlandtrust.org with subject “plant swap.”
April 25 2pm YS Wildlife Habitat Community Celebration
Presentations from the Wildlife Habitat Team, Ohio Native Plant Month, the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, milkweed plants give away, booths with habitat building information, live music with Novena, kids activities, including mask painting and more! Socially distanced, masked required, at the Miami Township New Fire Dept. Parking Lot, Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs. Rain date is May 2. Check YS Wildlife Habitat Community Facebook page April 25 if weather looks iffy.