Earth Day Every Day!

​April 22, 2020 (50th anniversary of Earth Day)

Don't let the COVID-19 virus stop you from celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! 

Although Friends of Main Street is disappointed that an "organized" Mad River Clean-Up is not practical or advisable this year, we encourage you to take action during this special anniversary with your families.

First, let us take a moment to celebrate the Mad River along Main Street. For years Friends of Main Street has organized its cleanups with volunteers bringing their own tools trimming — or hacking — away at years' worth of weeds and undergrowth and trash. Over the past few years, the Board of Selectmen and town management have, for the public's safety, had the overgrowth that was not safe for volunteers to reach carefully cleared.  Today we can now enjoy the beauty of this river, the walking path, bridge, and historic mill buildings. 

Let's continue to honor and support this natural watercourse by keeping its banks pristine.

How you will celebrate Earth Day this year may be different, but there's no shortage of fun and educational activities that are good for your health and environment that will keep you safe during a pandemic.

• Join Winsted Trails. Learn about the trails under development, become a volunteer trail master, make a tax-deductible donation to help fund marking our trail network. Winsted Trails recently shared an article that suggested hugging a tree if you can't hug someone now due to the pandemic!
• Plant a tree or start a garden.  Why not plant a tree and dedicate it to a family member? How about starting a garden — from seed?  My fondest memories of spring were watching seedlings grow and then planting them in a garden with my parents.
• Take a walk or a hike. Stay active, immerse yourself in nature while hiking or on a walk with a pet. Get out and enjoy nature safely and bring a bag to pick up trash (or poop) on your street and around the community.
• Go paperless. Change how you receive your bills and pay them online. 
• Bird watching.  How many birds (or animals) can you and your children identify that visit your property — daily, weekly, monthly?  Take pictures too!
• Get educated and go virtual. There are so many documentaries available online to watch — here are a few to check out: "Our Planet" on Netflix, "This Changes Everything" on Amazon Prime, "Trashed" on iTunes, "VICELAND, Rise and "Voice of the Amazon" on YouTube.