Sustainability is Simple at Earth Day Savannah
Written by Kelsey Vickers. Photo by Kelsey Vickers.
On Friday, April 24, Savannahians gathered in Daffin Park to do what they do best: educate through connection and creative expression. This year marked the 26th Annual Earth Day Savannah, an event that informs the people of coastal Georgia about the environment in a digestible and fun manner. From 4-7 p.m., local non-profit organizations and businesses filled the park and shared their love of mother Earth.
Tents circled the park. A handful of them offered free activities involving one of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, and the attendees came prepared. Litefoot and Green Drinks provided a dropoff for hard-to-recycle items such as batteries, sneakers, medicine bottles, and printer cartridges. Old containers found new life at the succulent planting station. Broken appliances and lamps were given a second chance at the “Fix-It Fair,” where volunteers repaired items for free. Two stations supplied a no-waste closet refresh. Visitors revitalized bland or stained clothes with indigo dye or southern life-inspired block prints by Little Tiger Studio. The newly blue and printed fabrics decorated the tents as they dried while their owners explored.
The majority of the tents were occupied by non-profit representatives eager to explain ways individuals can make a change. Coastal Communities United advocated for the local wetlands and its animals as they are threatened by the North Bryan Surface Water Extension Project. They explained, “They’re building surface water infrastructure, which is good in a way, because we need an answer for not giving industry all of our groundwater. At the same time, when you’re going through 14,000 feet of wetlands to put pipes in, you need the right permits to do it.” They didn’t stop there; they even provided comment letters for anyone interested in taking action.
The Georgia Conservation Voters helped voters become climate justice-informed with ease. The non-profit attends local events to educate people about how their vote impacts the environment. They even offer a resource to easily access candidates’ values, including their stances on environmental matters. “Oftentimes, we hear all the slogans, we get all the mail, we hear the commercials, but we don’t know who these people are,” said the Democracy For All Campaign Manager. “We make sure they’re aware of what’s on their ballot, so that when they do go and vote, they’re informed, they’re empowered, and they have a plan.”
Vendors also sold eco-friendly products for anyone looking to make the switch. Products spanned from all-natural, zero-waste detergents to sustainable HVAC systems. 2nd Class Fanny sold bags, jackets, fanny packs, keychain wallets, and more–made entirely out of upcycled materials. The company was born from a white water rafting trip gone wrong. The owner’s inner tube deflated, and she couldn’t let all that material go to waste. Now, she works with any material she finds. This weekend, she also gave out free postcards with floral scrap fabric sewn on the back.
The circle of tents closed with the Electric Vehicle Car Show. Various electric and hybrid vehicles lined the parked lot, and local dealers and owners shared the benefits of owning an electric vehicle. Those who filled out a survey were rewarded with a voucher for a free item at one of the delectable food trucks, Latin Chicks.
Every year, Earth Day Savannah connects sustainability to Savannah’s creative and charitable community, showing how environmentally-friendly habits don’t have to be a burden. Mark your calendars for next April to have an evening of connection to the city and Earth at large, or just to drop off the batteries you’ve been hoarding.
