With the arrival of spring, Earth Month follows closely behind! Earth Month is a time to celebrate all that nature does for us — and take action to protect it. From raising awareness of environmental issues to promoting actions that protect the planet, individuals, organizations, and communities can work together to secure a greener future. 

One Tree Planted celebrated Earth Month this year by — you guessed it — planting trees! Every tree we planted this Earth Month tells a story of hope that will last for generations. 

Clean drinking water is a human right. In an effort to ensure its citizens are afforded this right, the US has introduced a new limit on toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water across the nation. 

Known as forever chemicals, PFAS are persistent in the environment, lasting for thousands of years. They were invented in the 1930s to repel oil and resist heat and are commonly used in nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and moisture and stain-resistant clothing. The new limit on these chemicals will help provide cleaner drinking water, reducing PFA exposure for approximately 100 million people. 

Conservation efforts around the world are helping endangered species by protecting nature now and in the future. The recent birth of a Sumatran elephant calf at Way Kambas National Park in Indonesia marks important progress in conserving this critically endangered species. 

Sumatran elephants are considered to be on the brink of extinction, and the global population is estimated to be between 2,400 and 2,800 today. Way Kambas National Park in Indonesia is working hard to ensure these majestic animals can continue to exist. 

Like trees, plants offer many benefits to the environment and people alike! Not only do they help provide a peaceful and beautiful environment, but they also help improve air quality, modulate temperatures, and provide shade. 

Around the world, well-chosen and well-placed plants are being planted in urban environments to develop vegetation barriers — an important element of green infrastructure. In a world where 68% of the world’s population – more than 6.5 billion people – will live in urban areas by 2050, this has powerful implications.

In West Africa, the Gola rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot –– home to more than 400 species of wildlife, including endemic and threatened species. Through the years, this rainforest has been subjected to logging, mining, and even poaching, driving high rates of deforestation and habitat loss. 

This has prompted a volunteer program to grow shade-grown cacao plantations that provide wildlife sanctuary and generate income for many cacao farmers. This program has helped wildlife and communities alike, and studies have shown that it has helped slow deforestation across this rainforest. 

On April 14, National Gardening Day was celebrated, encouraging people to get outside and plant. Gardening is a great form of exercise and has also been linked to vitamin D and serotonin increases. 

This holiday also highlights the importance of including native plants in gardens across the country. Native plants, which occur naturally in a given region, provide the surrounding ecosystem with many benefits. And because they occur naturally in a specific region, these plants adapt more easily to local conditions and require less water than non-native plants. They can also provide familiar habitats for local species. 

This spring, find some native plants in your area and start planting the garden of your dreams!