Conservation education at the forefront of Love Our Earth Day

LACONIA — Eighteen environmental organizations from around the state will come together to help Lakes Region residents learn about local conservation efforts. The inaugural Love Our Earth Day, a free outdoor event, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, on the Congregational Church of Laconia lawn.

Participants will be set up with activities, presentations and handouts. Martha Kruse, a member of the Lakes Region Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, organized the event. Kruse volunteered to take it on after being asked by chapter Chair Wharton Sinkler.

“I've always looked for something to do on Earth Day,” she said. “I just can't let Earth Day go by and feel like I didn't do anything.”

With so many participating organizations, Kruse said attendees will be able to learn a lot. Each offering will be something unique.

“I would liken it to a farmers market where, oh, they've got cantaloupe. I really want some cantaloupe. I think I'll go over to that table and stand under their canopy, out of the sun,” she said. “Just visit according to what your tastes are.”

Kruse is a member of the Congregational Church of Laconia, and asked church leadership if they would be willing to host the event. Jean Clarke, co-chair of the Education Ministries Committee, said because the church is located downtown, the message of the event aligns with the church’s values.

“By loving the Earth, we're showing each other that we not only need to take care of people, but all of creation,” she said.

One participant is Belknap County Conservation District. In addition to educational handouts, those manning their station will offer a children’s activity. The activity is about the water cycle, and helping children understand the journey water goes through, using colored beads to create a bracelet. Coordinator Lisa Morin explained how a hands-on activity will help children connect with the water cycle.

“The other key element that we try to impress upon them is that there is no new water on Earth,” Morin said. “All water, it's been around for millions of years, and it just keeps getting recycled.”

The Laconia School District Office of Extended Learning will engaging attendees at five stations. Woodland Heights Elementary School's Project EXTRA will host a table to hand out herb seedlings with plant-based recipes. Pleasant Street School’s Project EXTRA will have something called a “flower bomb”: a ball of dirt, clay and wildflower seeds that if put on the ground, will grow wildflowers. Laconia Middle School will have a potato energy demonstration to power a light bulb. Laconia High School, which created the logo for Love Our Earth Day, will have a button-making machine, so people can have their own “Love Our Earth Day” buttons.

The last station will host the administrative office for the extended learning program. In a collaboration with the city, staff will hand out pumpkin seeds to promote the city’s Pumpkinfest, and district Food Service Director Michael Llavina will make pumpkin dip for attendees to sample.

OEL Program Coordinator Kerri Kowe explained events like these allow students to see what’s going on outside the classroom. As the school district asks a lot from the community, she feels it's only right for the community to get something in return.

“Laconia school district is part of a bigger community, and that's the Laconia community,” Howe said. “And the more our kids are invested in their community, the better it does for their education.”

In addition to learning stations, there will be presentations about perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called PFAS or forever chemicals, and a presentation on environmental impacts of various “green” initiatives.

There will also be refreshments. All drinks will be served in compostable cups donated by Hannaford.

Kruse hopes a lot of people come to see what the first Love Our Earth Day event has to offer.

“All of these people have made all of this effort to come and to share their expertise and their experience and their desires with the community,” Kruse said. “We need the community to come and take advantage of that.”