This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, SCC’s Sustainability Action Council invites employees and students to think about how to serve our planet.
Whether it be cleaning up litter on your daily neighborhood walk, planting a tree, or simply enjoying companionship with nature, we have come up with some ideas you can do while practicing social distancing.
Read About Our Current Environment
There are numerous articles online about and how you can make a difference and stay informed. Learning the science behind how our planet functions will help us all better take care of it. This article published by USA Today, “Fact Check on the Impact of Social Distancing on the Environment,” notes informative and helpful insights on current conditions.
Watch A Movie Or Documentary
Now presents a good opportunity time to catch up on movies and documentaries. We compiled a list of videos about the natural world to get you started.
- Our Planet
- Chasing Ice
- River of No Return
- Virunga
- Mission Blue
- Vanishing Bees
- DamNation
- A Fierce Green Fire
- Watermark
- Pump
- 180 Degrees South
- The Great Invisible
Use Apps To Explore The Great Outdoors
As residents of Arizona, we are fortunate to live in a climate which allows daily outdoor activity. Take advantage of the beautiful weather with these activities.
According to Google Earth, EarthCache is a special geological location we can visit to learn about a unique feature of the world. EarthCache websites provide a set of educational notes about a location and coordinate points. The Geo Society provides information on how to find EarthCache locations and observe their details. Sign up for free at geocache.com. Below are a few valley area EarthCache sites.
- Papago Buttes: N 33° 27.776 W 111° 57.228
- South Mountain Metamorphic Core Complex: N 33° 20.692 W 112° 03.529
- Holey Tafoni: N 33° 27.387 W 111° 56.711
- Unconforming Camel: N 33° 31.223 W 111° 58.174
Plant And Animal Watch With Your Smartphone
There are several apps available for smartphones that identify unknown plants, birds, and wildlife you may encounter during your time outdoors. The app PlantSnap provides information about vegetation and plants when you snap and upload a photo. Check out these identifying apps and online resources.
- FlowerChecker
- PlantSnap
- LeafSnap
- Audubon Bird Guide North America
- Audubon.org App
- eBird
- Song Sleuth
- MyNatureAnimalTracks
Take A Virtual Meditation
Living with the awareness of a pandemic circulating can be stressful. We find it helpful to relax by taking virtual walks. You can listen to or watch these videos while walking on your treadmill, walking a path, or sitting. Here are a few you might enjoy.
- Redwood National Park4K Virtual Hike
- Rain Falls in Virginia
- Sunset Beach Walk
- Beautiful Flower Garden path in Canada
Try Making DIY Cleaning Products
Who is ready to make soap and hand sanitizer? Try making herbal soap bars, non-toxic hand sanitizer, or natural homemade citrus cleaner.
Go On A Virtual Tour
We certainly are not in a position to travel to the beautiful sites of our amazing planet. However, did you know that we can go sightseeing from the comfort of our living room? Here are just a few virtual tours you may enjoy.