Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s Global connection with Earth Day. This year’s Earth Day celebration has gone digital in the present age of social distancing. Although Pittsburgh’s Earth Day has been moved to August due to Covid- 19, organizers have put together a variety of virtual activities to explore for several weeks to come. One of the positive by-product of this pandemic has been cleaner waters and bluer skies. It seems that the earth decided to blossom this spring in celebration of Earth Day.
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| Hike on Laurel Highlands Trial |
Walking or hiking are one of the only things that you can do during this usual time in lock down. The discovery of dotted green moss and small evidence of new life while recently hiking a more remote part of the Laurel Highlands Trail brought personal calm and peace. I have found a reprieve from the pandemic and gained a heightened appreciation for this earth when uniting with the beauty of nature, listening to running water as it trickled over rocks and observing the art of the clouds against the blue bird sky. Earth Day is a way to remember what nature gives back to us. This virtual Earth Day celebration has sprouted many ways to enjoy, learn and explore:
- Virtual Eco Film Showcase-Features documentaries, a section identifying fictional films with an environmental message and a section of family films. Some have a cost to mainstream but some are free (here). Additionally, through-out the month of August, Eco Film Showcase will provide short films and documentaries to celebrate Earth Day.
- Virtual Eco Biz Buzz–Shares ideas and actions taken in Pittsburgh and the world with links to Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan, Ted Talks and more (here).
- Virtual Tours and Online Activities- Provides a list of over 35 links (Galleries, Museums and Art) (Learning at Home) and (Activities) here. I have particularly enjoyed the live streams at the zoo especially the Penguin Cam and Cheetah Cam.
There is plenty of virtual fun and ways to learn in celebration of Earth Day in the weeks to come. You may even want to sing Pittsburgh's Earth Day anthem"(Lay Down)Candles in the Wind" with our own hometown talent as you celebrate this period when the earth blossomed.
Happy Earth Day Everyday.
Spiritual Reflection
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