Earth Day 2012 will be observed on April 22.  Every year this holiday reminds us that we need to take care of this great planet that we all share.

Here are some ideas for how you can get involved with the Earth Day activities happening in Bucks County:

April 20th

Earth Day Festival: Biodiversity Bonanza
Churchville Nature Center, 5001 Churchville Lane, Churchville, PA
11:00am – 4:00pm

All-day event featuring displays with information on biodiversity, visits from the Insectarium and Ark foundation, live music, crafts, and games, and a bluebird workshop. Admission $1. For more information, please contact Peg Mongillo at (215) 357-4005 or at pamongillo@co.bucks.pa.us.

Earth Day at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Visitor Center, 1635 River Road, New Hope
9:00am- 12:30pm

Volunteer to help with a variety of activities, including removing invasive plants, transplanting and weeding in the nursery, and planting on the grounds. Free hot lunch will be served at 12:30 for all volunteers. Pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, contact Gabrielle Sivitz at (215) 862-2924.

ACME Screening Room in Lambertville kicks off the Earth Day Film Festival
25 South Union Street, Lambertville, NJ
Showing Queen of the Sun, So Right So Smart, A Fierce Green Fire, and Between 2 Worlds at several showings throughout the weekend. $5 suggested donation per film.

April 21st

2012 Earth Day Work Days
Silver Lake Nature Center's Visitors' Building, 1306 Bath Rd, Bristol
9:00am – 2:00pm (also occurring on April 22nd from 9:00am – 2:00pm)

Silver Lake Nature Center, in conjunction with G.O.A.L. (Greenbelt Overhaul Alliance of Levittown), Keep PA Beautiful, Heritage Conservancy, and Department of Environmental Protection’s Coastal Zone Management Program invites the Community to come out to celebrate the Earth by helping to clean her up. Those who volunteer four consecutive hours of time and service during one or both of our Earth Day Work Days, will be provided a free lunch. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes, clothes that they do not mind getting wet and muddy, and to also bring a refillable water bottle. For more information and/or to register for one or both Earth Day Work Days, please visit our website at www.silverlakenaturecenter.org or contact Jenn Bilger at the Nature Center at 215-785-1177 EXT 14 or jlbilger@co.bucks.pa.us.

Earth Day Activities and Work Day!
Peace Valley Nature Center, 170 North Chapman Road  Doylestown, PA 18901
April 21, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Join us in working toward a better and more sustainable habitat at Peace Valley. We will have service projects available for all ages. Helping the environment is an admirable cause at any age. Any time during the day would be appreciated. We will begin at 10:00 am to work on the play area, trails, etc. Bring your work gloves and dress according to the weather, it may be muddy. Lunch will be provided! The afternoon will be more work with some educational walks and activities. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Rain cancels the event! If you are planning on coming, please let us know. 215-345-7860 or e-mail us at mlisewski@co.bucks.pa.us.

April 22nd

Bucks County Children's Museum Earth Day!
500 Union Square, New Hope
12:00pm – 5:00pm

Come plant a flower and take it home to watch it grow! Admission is $7 for ages 1 and up.

Earth Day Celebration at Bucks Country Gardens
1057 N. Easton Rd., Doylestown, PA 18902
10:00am – 4:00pm

Set within the beautiful, natural environment of the garden center will be a showcase of local providers of green products and services. Be amongst the first 200 to visit each booth and receive your eco-goodie bag full of samples and surprises. The day includes food and beverage sampling, speakers, door-prizes, and eco-activities for all ages.

Annual Earth & Arbor Day Celebration
Falls Twp. Community Park Phase 2 Pavilion, Falls Township
1:00pm – 3:00pm

Join the Parks and Recreation Board as we give back to the community and environment. During the afternoon we will plant flowers and mulch our garden. We will also clean up our Falls Township Dog Park. And nature inspired arts & craft project will entertain children– please bring a recyclable object and turn it into a wonderful work of art. This event is free to everyone. The event runs from 1pm to 3pm at the Falls Twp. Community Park Phase 2 Pavilion (by the lake).

Of course, we should always be thinking of new ways to help keep the world in good shape. Here are some simple, eco-friendly things you can do to help our planet:

1. Got a few errands to places that are close together? Try walking instead of driving from place to place.

2. Do you use the treadmill every single day? Try walking or jogging outside every once in a while. You'll use less electricity and save some money at the same time!

3. Do you have a garden? You may want to consider composting. Click here to see how you can start composting.

4. Instead of throwing away all the plastic water bottles you may use, consider re-using them or investing in sturdy water bottle that you can keep refilling! You can even find water bottles that have their own filters so you can fill it up almost anywhere. And why stop at water bottles? Bring your own travel mug to your favorite coffee shop for your morning cup of joe.

5. Re-useable grocery bags are the biggest way you can help the environment. It helps keep plastic bags from ending up in the dump. Re-useable bags are also much sturdier than plastic bags, so less of your items getting broken on the way home.