This year our annual Earth Day that usually happens at the Zoo is happening right here! Enjoy the fun and educational activities that our local conservation partners have provided below. Earth Day is about coming together for our environment, and while we can’t do this physically this year, we are excited to continue with our partnerships and to bring Earth Day to you.

Foundation for Ohio River Education Education empowers communities to value and protect their watersheds. The Foundation for Ohio River Education teaches people of all ages in the Ohio River Basin to become environmental stewards through hands-on programs that get people on the water and engaged in preserving the cultural, ecological, and economic value of our rivers. FORE is a 501(c)(3) supporting organization of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). Macroinvertebrate ID

Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste The Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District (District) is a County organization, established by State law, responsible for ensuring that the County achieves State mandated goals for recycling and waste reduction. The District achieves these goals through the implementation of waste reduction programs targeted to residents, communities, businesses, and schools. Recycled Craft Guide

Icon Solar Icon Solar has been helping families in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky to install clean, solar energy in their homes since 2009! Increasing solar at home reduces reliance on the grid energy supply and can reduce energy costs for structures. Solar energy can lead to long term benefits for the community and the planet by reducing air pollution and lessening the needs for greenhouse gas production. Solar Coloring Page Solar Coloring Page 2 Make your own Sun Dial! Wordsearch!

Mill Creek Alliance The mission of the Alliance is to empower Mill Creek communities to protect and enhance the value of the Mill Creek, its tributaries, and watershed. Through inclusive, meaningful community engagement and collaborative action, the Alliance strives to create a Mill Creek watershed that is a healthy ecosystem where people and communities can thrive. Trash on the Mill Creek Experiment

Melink Melink Corporation is a global provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for commercial buildings with five offerings: Intelli-Hood® Kitchen Control Ventilation Controls, HVAC Test & Balance, Solar PV, Geothermal HVAC, and PositiV® Building Health Monitor. For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping companies save energy, increase profits, and make the world a more sustainable place. We are 100% employee owned, and our corporate headquarters is LEED Platinum and Net-Zero Energy. Our vehicle fleet consists of all hybrid and electric cars. We invite you visit for a tour of our Net-Zero campus in Milford, Ohio. Renewable vs Non-Renewable Activity Page

Plant for Pollinators Cincinnati Zoo The Plant for Pollinators Challenge at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens brings together sustainability awareness and resource preservation. The goal is to increase pollinator habitat in the Greater Cincinnati region through public engagement. The program makes planting pollinator-friendly plants easy for both new and seasoned gardeners by providing a list of plants that grow well in our area and are great for pollinators, and by providing information on planning and caring for a garden. Planting pollinator friendly gardens sequesters carbon, improves local air quality, stores excess stormwater, improves mental health, provides habitat for wildlife, provides shade and prevents urban heat island effect, and of course, feeds our much-needed local pollinators. Since Plant for Pollinators began in 2019, over 1,100 gardens have been registered in 24 different states! Plant for Pollinators Video Plant for Pollinators Scavenger Hunt

Citizens Climate Lobby Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. At Citizens’ Climate Lobby, we’re committed to building the political will for the climate solutions we all need Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering our supporters to work in keeping with the concerns of their local communities, we work towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions. Sun Smores Activity!

Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition The Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition produces an annual Earth Day celebration. It’s a community event for not-for-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and individuals from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-state region who work cooperatively and actively to promote the beauty and environmental quality of the Tri-state area. Although the 2020 Earth Day celebration is cancelled, please consider entering our logo and costume contests next year! See our website for more information. Decorate your own logo for 2020 Earth Day. You can put it up in your window or draw it in chalk outdoors! Show us your designs!

EPA EPA is a federal government agency and our mission is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that Americans have clean air, land and water and a healthy environment for future generations. Over the last 50 years, EPA has worked to fulfill its mission by improving the nation’s air, cleaning up land and water resources, and providing a cleaner, healthier environment for all people. Learn more at www.epa.gov. Decorate Your Windows for Earth Day Since many of us are staying safe at home this year, we’re inviting everyone to celebrate Earth Day by drawing pictures, making signs, or using whatever recycled materials you have around the house to decorate the windows of your home to celebrate Earth Day with your community. Print out one of our coloring pages here to hang in your window, then share pictures of your completed artwork with us on social media using the hashtags #EarthDay2020, #EarthDayAtHome, and #EPAat50. Recycle City

Civic Garden Center The Civic Garden Center (CGC) is a nationally recognized nonprofit model whose mission is building resilient communities through gardening, education, and environmental stewardship. Located in Cincinnati’s urban core (2715 Reading Road), CGC delivers a robust array of high-quality, hands-on education programs and services to children and adults, while supporting the development and success of more than 50 community gardens and over 75 school garden programs across greater Cincinnati. Our LEED Platinum Certified Green Learning Station strives to remain on the cutting edge of sustainable technology while providing environmental education programs and research opportunities for students, professionals, and the public. Our 2-acre facility includes a horticultural library and several outdoor gardens, including a production garden providing fresh produce for local food pantries. For more information visit CivicGardenCenter.org or call (513) 221-0981. Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Great Parks of Hamilton County Part of Great Parks of Hamilton County’s mission is to preserve and protect natural resources. That mission extends to educating the public about the importance of natural resource conservation and ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle. For this reason, sustainability is a guiding value of the organization, and it is incorporated into all decision making and day-to-day processes. These efforts include use of native plants for restoration projects and increasing energy efficiency at park facilities, as well as through nature education and research. Great Parks Sustainability Action Plan continues to strengthen Great Park’s sustainability goals, policy, and practices into the future. Nature Stories Dice Game

Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry Program works to maintain and improve our current canopy coverage and enhance the benefits provided by trees. We are responsible for the maintenance of all City street trees often located between the street and sidewalk as well as any other trees in the right of way. This is important because the benefits of trees are vast. In addition to the obvious aesthetic value trees provide, a healthy urban forest helps: Reduce heating/cooling costs through the creation of shade and windbreak. Aid in reducing stormwater runoff

Reduce erosion

Increase air quality Decrease the effects of noise and visual pollution One of the simplest things anyone can do to improve the environment is to plant a tree. For more information visit the Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry Website