USPS Publication Number 16300
T h i s C om mu n it y Ne w s p a p e r i s a p u bl i c a t ion of E s c a m b i a-S a nt a Ro s a B a r A s s o c i a t ion
Se r v i ng t he Fi r st Jud icia l Ci rcu it Section A, Page 1
Vol. 22, No. 16
V isit T he S ummation W eekly O nline : SummationWeekly.com
April 20, 2022
1 Section, 8 Pages
MAKE EVERY DAY E ARTH DAY LOCAL WAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT YEAR-ROUND
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by Morgan Cole
ince the first Earth Day was celebrated in the United States in 1970, it has grown to become the world’s largest environmental movement and is observed in more than 200 countries across the globe. With Earth Day just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to show some appreciation for mother earth and commit to making changes, no matter how big or small, to help protect the planet and its valuable resources for ourselves and generations to come. Although we encourage you to participate in the many Earth Day festivities occurring throughout the city, we’ve also rounded up some other ways for you to make a hands-on difference right here in our local community not just on Earth Day, but year-round. Convert to Solar Energy
Consider converting to a clean energy source by going solar! The up-front cost associated with converting to solar energy often deters individuals from taking advantage of its many benefits. Thankfully non-profit organization Solar United, has recently launched a solar co-op program to help offset the cost for those wanting to go solar. The co-op is free to join and allows groups of property owners to purchase the equipment and use solar power at discounted group rate. Visit coops.solarunitedneighbors.org to learn more about the benefits of going solar and for details on joining the new co-op program by attending one of the community information sessions. Visit Your Neighborhood Farmers Market
On an individual level, you can help support both our local environment and economy by shopping at your neighborhood farmer’s market or grocery co-op. Check out the Palafox Market in downtown Pensacola. Held weekly on Saturdays, this neighborhood farmers market features numerous local vendors selling a variety of products from fresh produce, live plants and natural beauty products to baked goods, fine art and more. Bailey’s Produce and Nursery and The Farm Pensacola Produce Nursery also offer up delicious farm-fresh and organic goods, along with a variety of daily specials, so be sure to follow them on social media. Both are open daily. Participate in a Local Cleanup
There are numerous local organizations that host monthly cleanups at various locations throughout the community. Ocean Hour Florida hosts local beach and waterway cleanups on Saturdays each week and is always seeking volunteers. For information and to sign up for
one of their upcoming beach cleanups, visit oceanhourfl.com. The City of Pensacola also partners with local environmental groups and organizations to host a variety of community cleanup events throughout the year. Through partnership with the Scenic Highway Foundation, Ocean Hour and Earth Ethics, the City hosts a series of community cleanups at the Bay Bluffs and Chimney Park (Scenic Hwy.) in Pensacola on the second Saturday of each month. The City also partners with Keep Pensacola Beautiful and Ocean Hour to host clean up days along the shores of Bruce Beach in downtown Pensacola on the last Saturday of each month. Visit cityofpensacola.com/calendar, or cityofpensacola.com/570/ Volunteer to check out the full calendar of upcoming cleanups dates. Other cleanup opportunities are available through the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program and Healthy Gulf. Check out each of their websites or follow them on social media for more information and to find out how to get involved. Try Going Zero(ish) Waste
Check out Pensacola’s first zero waste store, Ziro Supply Co., located on Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. Ziro Supply is a zero waste and refill shop offering sustainable alternatives to everyday goods that are healthy for you and for our planet. The concept is simple— weigh, f ill and pay. Bring your own sanitized container, purchase one of their recyclable containers or use one of the available upcycled jars for free. Choose the product you’d like to fill up on and then, have your filled container weighed at the counter and voila, you’re ready to check out. Ziro Supply also offers an assortment of ecofriendly household products in eco-friendly packaging such as toilet paper, paper towels and
laundry powder. For more information, visit zirosupply.com or check them out on Facebook @ZiroSupply. Join a Local Green Committee
Initiate or become a member of a group dedicated to taking action on environmental issues important to our community. There are a number of environmental-based activist groups to get involved with right here in Pensacola. One local group is 850eco, an environmentallyconscious community group that’s dedicated to co-creating a greener Pensacola through education, political action, volunteering and outdoor recreation. The group hosts various eco-centered activities and events throughout the year for like-minded individuals to connect, discuss, share ideas, learn and take action on environmental issues affecting our community. Follow @850eco on Instagram for more information and to view their full calendar of upcoming meeting dates. Another group to check out is 350 Pensacola, which is the local affiliate of 350.org, one of the largest nonprofit organizations fighting climate change both globally and locally. 350 Pensacola is dedicated to educating the public on the need to take action to reduce carbon emissions and to influence local governments to adopt and implement policies to reduce their own carbon emissions, while also encouraging and supporting local citizens in their efforts to do the same. To learn more about 350 Pensacola and how to get involved, visit world.350.org/pensacola. Order Takeout From a Local Restaurant That Supports the Eco-To-Go Program
Launched by Keep Pensacola Beautiful, Eco-To-Go is a local restaurant sustainability program. The program is designed to unite Pensacola restaurants against
the threat of litter, waste and single-use plastics through the implementation of eco-friendly take out containers. Pensacola’s tourism economy is dependent on the environment we cultivate. As a result of COVID-19, there has been an influx of to-go materials being used by restaurants, which has led to a spike in waste. Through the Eco-To-Go program, KPB hopes to encourage the community to think greener and strives to help make using sustainable materials a common practice. Local restaurants currently participating in the Eco-To-Go program include Perfect Plain, East Hill Market and Restaurant, Cafe Single Fin, The Daily Squeeze and more. Visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org/eco-to-go/ for complete program details and the list of participating restaurants. Volunteer Your Time with Keep Pensacola Beautiful
This local non-profit organization is dedicated to providing education and resources for sustained community improvement through educational outreach programs, volunteer opportunities throughout Escambia County. In addition to hosting annual fundraisers, special events, beach and neighborhood cleanups, recycling programs and more, Keep Pensacola Beautiful (KPB) is also a participant of the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup (GAC). Held annually, the GAC is a national cleanup event that takes place in more than 600 communities each spring, from March through May. Engaging more than five million volunteers each year across the nation, the
GAC is the largest community improvement program in America. You can get involved with the Great American Cleanup throughout the month of April by recycling your plastic bags at one of the many Bag Swap events taking place at different locations throughout the city. From cleanup events to assisting with their annual fundraisers, KPB offers a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The organization will also provide you and your group with the resources and necessary supplies to organize and conduct your very own beach cleanup. Visit keeppensacolabeautiful.org for more information on programs, upcoming events and ways to get involved. “Take a Plant, Leaf a Plant” at a Plant Library or Attend a Plant Swap
Although plant swap groups have existed through social media platforms like Facebook for years, plant libraries have become a relatively new concept in our community. Pensacola and its surrounding communities are home to the Emerald Coast Plant Libraries, which consists of more than 30 plant libraries. When visiting a plant library, the rule of thumb is to take a plant and leave a plant. This concept was launched by Angela Blake, a local who was inspired by plant libraries she had seen in other cities. Plant libraries now exist in neighborhoods ranging from Fort Walton Beach all the way to Pensacola. Follow @EmeraldCoastPlantLibraries on Facebook for more on starting your own plant library and for the complete list of plant library locations. •
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