Area residents enjoyed two parties in one, if they attended both aspects of the city’s Party for the Planet on Saturday.
Earth Day activities started at the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center, including information stations organized by a host of event partners. PAROC Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Daphne Mayes says Party for the Planet shows the need for conservation through education.
ESU biology professor Rachel Bowes says an underlying goal, regardless of the location, was to show people how easy it is to connect to nature — and how easy it is to conserve.
Activities then went to the David Traylor Zoo, where Director Lisa Keith said the local Earth Day event factors into a worldwide mission.
Outreach Coordinator Kelli Proehl says conservation has local and worldwide benefits.
One of the key focal points at PAROC was watershed health, which connects to ongoing efforts on riparian restoration as part of the facility’s regular schedule. Zoo activities, meanwhile, included animal enrichment stations, a plant swap, tree giveaway, creation of toad abodes and more.
