Let's Keep Earth Day Rolling
For all of us at the ERC, every day is Earth Day. Each year Earth Day, April 22, empowers us to remember why we do our work. It always so encouraging to see how the community rallies around this important day. It's now our job to carry on the spirit of Earth Day for the next 364 days - we hope you will join us!

We received many wonderful photos from community members who chose to do various stewardship activities in their neighborhoods on Earth Day including  Jones & Grover - Engel & Volkers Sun Valley,    Sturtevants , WOW: The Generosity Project, and students and teachers from Hemingway STEAM School,  Sun Valley Community School, and  Wood River High School, in addition to many individuals and families! Thank YOU! 

The Haven ran a two-day sale on earth-friendly wines and has pledged to donate a portion of the profits to the ERC! The Haven is currently operating for take-out and delivery. It's delicious, support them today! 

As soon as it's appropriate for us to begin offering programs again, we will. We are working on brainstorming new ways to work together yet apart so we can continue to be here for our environment. Stewardship doesn't stop, it just gets creative. 
  
~ Alisa McGowan, ERC Program Director  




Spring Science Series 

This week of the Spring Science Series we are featuring Zoo Idaho. Zoo Idaho is located in Pocatello and  started in 1932. During the mid-70s the zoo committed to exhibiting only indigenous species of the Intermountain West. As the zoo transitioned, it developed a strong relationship with the Idaho Fish and Game and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire animals that could no longer thrive within the wild. They have two series that are coming up in May. 
 
The first series is Science Talks. Local scientists will be presenting about various topics via Zoom and then participants will have time to ask questions about their presentations. This series is Thursday evenings at 5:30pm in May. The second is Zoom Zoo Series, Wednesdays at 1:00pm in May. These are geared toward elementary students and include live animal encounters. These will also be conducted via Zoom. The topics are Reptile Tales, Adaptation Adventures, Raptor Zone, and Turtles vs. Tortoises.  
 
Questions? Want to join in but not sure how to use Zoom? Contact alisa@ercsv.org for more information. We'd love to help get you connected! 
Youth Climate Conversation

Are you a high school or college student?  Join the Hailey Climate Action Coalition tonight for this youth run climate conversation. Non students welcome to observe the student discussion and learn from the next generation of environmental leaders. More details available here. 
The Lorax
 
I heard the story The Lorax by Dr. Seuss the first time in my "adult" life when beginning my initial environmental science course in high school. This course and teacher truly were the beginning of my decisions to pursue environmental work. 

Every year I like to get myself in the spirit of Earth Day by reading or following along to this reading of  The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. 

"Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." How do you care for the environment?
Get to Know Your Yard

Stewardship starts at home. Make friends with your yard. Introduce yourself, do you know all of the plants and animals that inhabit it? Do you know what they need, what treatments are used, if the treatments are the safest option for the whole environment? Do you know what a plant is before it flowers? This can help you get ahead of weeds. Now is the time to learn!

Here a re some of our favorite resources to get to know our yards. Use the  Beyond Pesticides Gateway website for information about the products used on your yard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Merlin Bird ID app to identify the birds, Idaho Wildflower Search app to search flowers, and the Arbor Day Foundation What Tree is That online step-by-step guide.

National Poetry Month

Did you know that in addition to Earth Week, it's also National Poetry Month?

The Community Library is hosting a Weekly Poetry Challenge, where you can submit a poem you write. Additionally, we were honored to be a part of their weekly Community Poetry Project this week through a reading of Mary Oliver's poem The Summer Day. 

What's your favorite environmental poem?

Environmental Resource Center
PO Box 819
Ketchum ID 83340

Visit us at:
471 Washington Avenue
Ketchum ID 83340

208.726.4333
Facebook and Instagram: @ERCSunValley