Fun in the Making was at the Earth Day Celebration in Leonardtown MD again this year. The weather was perfect!

This year the free “green” craft was braided bracelets made from strips of recycled bed sheets. Lots and lots of children came by to make themselves one or more of these cool accessories.

This little girl showed off the head band that her mom made.

Mark your calendars! At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour. Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of sustainability issues.

Last year 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

Go to EarthHour.org to learn more

If you live in St. Mary’s County MD, there is a good chance that Waste Management is the company that carries away your trash. All the public schools in St. Mary’s County use this same company. They have a single stream recycling program. Single stream means that you don’t have to sort your recyclables anymore. They all go in one bin. (Let me be clear here: motor oil, clothing and a few other items are still collected separately but the bulk of your recycling will go in one bin. It’s so easy. No more excuses!

You probably knew that soda cans, plastic drink bottles, plastic shopping bags, aluminum foil, and paper are recyclable. But did you know that juice bags, juice boxes, milk and juice boxes from school lunch programs, zip closure bags, plastic utensils, plastic chip bags, and candy wrappers are also collected for recycling?

Local students spread the word about what is recyclable at their schools.

Several students from Leonardtown Middle School in St. Mary’s County MD took pictures of recyclable items and these pictures were used to make posters for several local schools. As a result, recycling at these schools has increased tremendously.

To learn more about this poster project done in support of 350.org:

For more details about recycling in this area: http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/dpw/recycleprogramslist.asp

Several local middle school students are gathering on 10/10/10 for a work party in support of 350. These students calling themselves Teens for a Better Planet are making recycling posters to be placed in three local schools and several environmental education centers in St. Mary’s County, MD. The posters will serve to educate other students and visitors about recyclable materials. It will include commonly known items like plastic bottles and cans, but also include little known recyclables like plastic wrap and chip bags. These students want to encourage as much recycling as possible to prevent the waste of resources and to reduce the load on landfills (among other reasons). As more types of materials are accepted for recycling, it is important that the information be passed on to the public.

On 10/10/10, in every corner of the globe, people will implement solutions to the climate crisis. Other groups around the world will be installing solar panels, making community gardens, wind turbines and bike workshops. To learn more about 350, go to 350.org

Think Globally, Act Locally!

Green Southern Maryland

Green Southern Maryland promotes environmental awareness within the Southern Maryland region of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties by providing environmental news, a calendar of events, a directory of green organizations and businesses, discussion forums and more.

Visit the Fun In the Making booth at the Earth Day celebration in Leonardtown Maryland (For more information call 301-475-9791) on April 18thanytime between 12:30 to 4:30pm. Have a nice afternoon enjoying the other fun activities like the free kayak rides but be sure to stop by and see us.

Our fee craft will be coin necklaces. I’d love for you to come and make yourself one. Lovely disks were cut from tree branches and a hole is pre-drilled. Pick out your favorite tree coin and add some yarn or string. They are lovely plain or you can decorate with stamps or personalize it with a “green” message in honor of earth day.

We will be located across the street from The Hair Company (on the grassy island).

Hope to see you there!

Hester Jane

The Owls were there too. The Owls is the name of the kids’ environmental club my daughter started last year but hadn’t named until this year. This was the second year that they were at Earth Day, helping children make free egg-heads with grass hair. The egg-head project was a big hit with the kids! The Owls were also raising money for WWF adopt an animal program. They sold heirloom tomato seedlings and collected donations. This year they (the 5 attending Owls) decided to raise money for the polar bears. After a last minute donation, the girls reached their goal of $50. Good work girls!

Two Owl members.

Two proud crafters.

Want to know how to make these cute egg heads with grass hair?

I have always tried to keep in mind the needs of the wildlife in my yard. I admit that it is for my enjoyment as much as it is for them. I plant flowers for the butterflies and hummingbirds because I love to see them fluttering about. I have also included plants in my landscaping that have berries that the birds eat during their migration. I feel good about that. Furthermore, I find it charming when I see a few deer cross through our property or a snapping turtle laying her eggs in a spot behind the Japanese maple tree in front of the house. We keep most of our land in its natural state, wooded, to maximize wildlife habitat.

Hence, my family decided to have our property certified by the National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat^TM program just before Earthday 2008. We proudly display our NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat sign along the side of our long gravel driveway.
Interested in certifying your own backyard as a haven for wildlife? Here is the link. National Wildlife Federation website. They are the same people who make the award winning Ranger Rick magazine for kids.