Spring’s arrival often awakens our inner outdoor lover, urging us to take a moment and appreciate Mother Nature. There are a number of special days coming up on the calendar reminding us to live a little greener.
The event that kick-starts this eco-minded season is Earth Hour. Taking place this Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 PM EST, lights are being encouraged to be turned off around the world for one hour.
We can’t think of a better place to shut off the lights and head outdoors than our Gulf Coast. Just as Sarasota is known for its flourishing arts and music culture, it is equally revered for its deeply rooted environmental enrichment and conservation efforts. There are several ways to participate in the event while appreciating our local environment, as well as COVID-responsible activities.
Go dark
Organized by World Wide Fund for Nature in 2007, the global annual event takes place as an effort to encourage everyone to turn off non-essential electric light use for one hour as a symbolic gesture for the planet.
But what can you do in that hour? Plenty.
- Organize a walk with friends or family around the neighborhood, park, waterfront, or beach – just be sure to socially distance, wear a face-covering, and be safe.
- Enjoy some night kayaking on a canal or the bay
- Sit by a fire pit on the lanai or backyard and do some stargazing – there are even apps that help you find the constellations
See a movie beneath the stars – Sarasota Film Festival and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium are offering a free family screening of “Finding Nemo” as part of its “Movies for Sarasota” program. The screening will be outside, following Covid-safety procedures including social distancing. Please bring a blanket, chair or something to sit on. 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Ken Thompson Park, 1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL
Get connected
For the first time, Earthhour.org is hosting an Earth Hour Virtual Spotlight event online.
Follow Earth Hour on their social media pages, watch the video on the pages at 8:30 PM EST, and then share the video on your social media pages with #EarthHour.
Sarasota, Bradenton and Charlotte counties offer a wealth of environmentally-focused events and organizations to be a part of for sharing enthusiasm and commitment to protecting the planet. Find out more in our upcoming Earth Day blog on April 22.
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