5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month in Northwest Indiana
Print for the Just Transition Visioning Project by Artist Kaitlyn Stancy.
“The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity… that’s all there is.”
— Gaylord Nelson
In 1970, Earth Day was born by Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-W.I.), Rep. Pete McCloskey (R-Calif.), and activist Denis Hayes to mobilize students in response to the national alarms raised in the wake of Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking novel Silent Spring, which forever eliminated the veil of the detrimental effects of pesticides on human and environmental health. Over 20 million people gathered nationwide to demonstrate on April 22nd, 1970. On this day, 10% of the U.S. population organized on the streets and parks and in auditoriums; people shared a desire to make an impact and fight for the betterment of the planet. This demonstration is now a date we celebrate and acknowledge 54 years later.
Like this year’s theme, “Planet vs. Plastics,” we know that we must do more to carry on Earth Day's legacy of promoting inclusion and equity for all. Recycling as a sole solution will not save us. It is about our roles as individuals and as part of a collective to ensure sustainable choices while changing the rules and policies and holding corporations accountable for perpetuating the climate crisis.
So, how can we play a role in continuing to increase awareness of the importance of promoting environmental justice?
Here are five ways to celebrate Earth Month in Northwest Indiana:
1. Attend an Earth Month Community Event!
On Saturday, April 13th, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Brown Faces Green Spaces is hosting Planet Palooza: Celebrating Earth, Health, and Mental Wellness at Marquette Park in Gary. This event is preceded by a beach cleanup at 10 a.m. Volunteers are welcome to sign up here.
“Brown Faces Green Spaces (BFGS) does this event every year to kick off our Summer season. We invite guest partners who are tapping into the EJ & sustainability work happening here in Gary to network and share our collective environmental work with the Gary and Northwest Indiana communities we serve.”
- Kimmie Gordon, event founder and coordinator
On Saturday, April 20th, in East Chicago from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mayor Anthony Copeland, Green EC, and the City of East Chicago Parks and Recreation are hosting an Earth Day Celebration at Washington Park. There will be an opportunity for you to win prizes as well as create custom artwork that demonstrates this Earth Month’s theme, Planet Vs Plastic. There will be categories based on your current grade level, and you can participate up until college age. All artwork must be submitted physically by 11:30 a.m.
Also, on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the City of Munster will host an Earth Month tabling event. Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a weed pull and clean-up, speakers will share how to start and manage a garden, and a morning service project for all to participate in. Make sure you bring your work gloves and dress appropriately for outdoor trials.
“Munster’s second annual Earth Day event will be held on April 20th at Heritage Park on the corner of Ridge Road and Columbia. The Munster Sustainable and Green group will be looking to build on a successful event from the past year. There will be over 15 community organizations present to help educate the public on a variety of issues in an effort to create a more sustainable future for all. There will be some fun activities for children, some giveaways, and even some entertainment. Please join us from 11 am until 2 pm, and let’s celebrate our planet. It’s the only one we’ve got!”
- Matt Baker, event coordinator
Just Transition Northwest Indiana (JTNWI) will be tabling at all three events. These are great opportunities for you to not only meet the JTNWI team but also to network with other local community members who share the same passion for protecting our planet. Come say hi! Please consider supporting our mission by donating and purchasing some of our custom merchandise, which you will be able to find at our table! Every dollar goes towards helping us advance environmental justice.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
- Rachel Carson
If you have a hidden or not-so-hidden talent for art, participate in our Just Transition Visioning Project! This new program, launched by JTNWI and partner artists William Estrada, Kaitlyn Stancy, and Emily Essling, invites you to dream of a Just Transition for the region through art. By submitting a piece that portrays a transition away from an extractive fossil-fuel-based economy, your art will be part of our public art exhibition in late July. Art can be a painting, print, poem, dynamic movement, etc.
3. Visit the Indiana Dunes and Enjoy Northwest Indiana’s Beauty
Serina Hill, Purdue Northwest student and blog author at the Indiana Dunes.
If you have lived in Northwest Indiana or are new to the area, you probably have heard of the Indiana Dunes. The Dunes recently became a National Park, sparking the interest of travelers throughout the country since February 15, 2019. For time immemorial, the Dunes have long been sacred and belong to generations of indigenous tribes.
The Dunes is home to over 1960 species of animals and plants, making it one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. Within the park, there are trails for you to go hiking on and opportunities to truly appreciate the beauty and nature within Northwest Indiana. While you are there, pick up any trash you may see that was left behind!
If the Dunes are a bit out of the way or you are looking for a new adventure, visit Deep River County Park, a local park in Hobart, Indiana. It has beautiful hiking trails and gardens open to the public at no cost.
Remember Our Past, Protect Our Future: Petition Delivery to EPA Region 5 (2023).
“To win, we will need every person’s skills and voice. If you find your voice and your story, the movement will grow.”
- Columbia Haupt, Sac and Fox Nation
Earlier this month, Just Transition Northwest Indiana (JTNWI) announced the debut of our new Membership Program! Donating to JTNWI allows you to play an essential role in helping us further our mission and realize our vision of an NWI where people live in clean, healthy, and united communities.
As a JTNWI donating member, you can:
Take leadership by joining one of our membership committees
Get access to skills-building training and workshops
Join our celebration and appreciation events
Receive membership rewards. And more!
JTNWI is committed to reflecting the just world we are fighting for, so anyone who cannot afford a membership is encouraged to apply for our membership assistance program by contacting membership@jtnwi.org.
This month, take some time to discover other local EJ organizations in the region, such as Brown Faces Green Spaces, Gary Advocates for Responsible Development, Highland Neighbors for Sustainability, Hessville Dune Dusters, and the NAACP Michigan City LaPorte County Branch, among many others. Solidarity is power, and we are grateful for all these organizations advancing justice in their neighborhoods.
5. Get Crafty & Make Seed Bombs To Bloom Your Neighborhood
JTNWI tabling and making seed bombs with community members at the 2nd annual Earth Month Extravaganza hosted by the Michigan City Sustainability Commission. (2023)
Did you know you can make seed bombs at home? They're perfect for growing local wildflowers and brightening up a space! If you have little ones who want to get involved in Earth Day activities, seed bombs are a wonderful, fun alternative!
Note that only picking seeds of local plants and introducing nonnative plants to a park can be dangerous to the other plants that grow freely in the area. Be careful that your seeds are local to the area where you’ll be growing them!