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Pen in Hand: Earth Day 2021 is on April 22: how to mark the occasion in the Tehachapi Mountains

The event was designed to be non-partisan, and there was participation from Democrats and Republicans and across the political spectrum. President Nixon and his wife, Betty, planted a tree on the South Lawn of the White House to recognize the first Earth Day.

So what can people living in the Tehachapi Mountains do to participate in this year’s Earth Day? Well, the possibilities are endless. In the 50 years since it was first observed, there has a long-standing tradition of Earth Day litter cleanup — by beaches, rivers, mountains, trails, roadways, etc.

Your Earth Day participation can be as simple as taking a walk or a hike, while bringing along a bag to pick up any litter that you encounter. You can walk around Brite Lake, at the Golden Hills Nature Park, along the Antelope Run bike path, up at Tehachapi Mountain Park, or some other road or path that appeals to you.

Another Earth Day tradition has been plantings of all different kinds: trees, shrubs, perennials, etc. This week is also the California Native Plant Society’s annual California Native Plant Week, so consider planting a California native plant on April 22. Colorful native flowers that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators are a wonderful choice. Mountain Gardens Nursery on the corner of Curry and C Streets always has selections of native flowers and trees, and owner Rick Gillies is a great source of information on good local plant choices. James Burns and the JDB Nursery in Cummings Valley is also a premium source of information and great plant stock.

Planting your own seeds is another fun way to mark Earth Day, and when the plants get bigger it will be easy to remember what day you planted them. Native plants, herbs, vegetables, flowers. . . planting any of them is rewarding and in keeping with the Restore Our Earth theme.

Another good idea is to provide some habitat improvement for wildlife, like creating a little water source for birds and other animals to drink, putting up a hummingbird feeder or other bird feeders, a bird or bat house, etc.

We live in the internet age, so of course there are many Earth Day ideas and connections to be found online. Ultimately though, I think it’s good to spend some Earth Day time outside away from devices, simply enjoying the outdoors in our little part of America the Beautiful.

However you may choose to mark Earth Day, please reflect on how lucky we are to have this beautiful planet as both our inheritance from the past, and our legacy to the future.

Have a good week.