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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 20, 2020) -- With all that's happening in the world, wildlife sightings have been on the rise, and so have talks about continued sustainability and conservation efforts through these times and post- COVID-19. Here is a list of things you can do to show appreciation, celebrate the wonders of nature and help us safeguard our natural resources for years to come. Whether you are a local or past visitor, celebrate this Earth Day all while feeling good, staying productive and caring for the Palm Beach County community or your own with these actionable tips.

Greenify Your Space

Whether you have a side table with a little extra room for a plant, a small balcony, petite patio or large backyard, there's a way for you to boost the fresh air and greenspace around you. Multiple area gardens have resources to help you learn best practices and virtually discover what grows best in the Southeast Florida climate. Mounts Botanical Garden, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens are just a few to inspire you to achieve your garden-goals with virtual tours. We encourage you to pick up your plants from local garden stores and mom-and-pop landscaping nurseries offering curbside pick- up, such as The Garden Shoppe, located at Rosemary Square.

Although the garden gates are temporarily closed at Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, this local garden continues to offer virtual visitors sanctuary for reflection, inspiration and peace, through free online programs for all ages including their 4th Annual Earth Day ' Celebrating 50 years of Earth Day.' On April 22, they will partner with environmental organizations across The Palm Beaches such as Florida Crystals, Friends of Palm Beach, the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium, Manatee Lagoon – an FPL Eco-Discovery Center and more to virtually unite students across the county through virtual lessons, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

Buy from Local Farmers

Supporting local agricultural businesses not only helps you incorporate garden-fresh items into your daily meals, but also stimulates our economy, and helps ensure our restaurants as well as grocers receive the freshest produce possible. The Palm Beaches are lucky to have agriculture as the #1 industry right in our backyard. With local farmers growing radishes, sugarcane, lettuce, cauliflower and more, it's very accessible to get items straight from the source. Check out Swank Specialty Produce for their Swank Sacks, and wild flower bouquets which are offering pick-up service; You Farm, which is offering corn crates via drive-through; Holman's Harvest for their Community Supportive Agriculture (CSA), offering fresh vegetables and eggs, Oli's Fashion Cuisine, a local restaurant that has teamed up with TKM Farms to offer fresh market items during this time for pick -up and delivery or Celis Produce who is also offering a fresh produce through delivery service. Bedner's Farm Fresh Market is another local market with fresh produce available.   

Support Local Animal Sanctuaries

We are fortunate to have many wild animals living in The Palm Beaches too, from the Native Floridian wildlife that can be seen at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and the sea turtle patients at Loggerhead Marinelife Center to the animal conservation efforts at Lion Country Safari and the Palm Beach Zoo, there are several organizations to show your support to during this time. And support ranges from engaging with them on social media, to leaving reviews, checking out their virtual offerings to monetary donations and memberships.

This Earth Day, we also encourage you to participate, if you can, in Loggerhead Marinelife Center's Earth Day contest, where online visitors can submit a name for one of their sea turtle patients for a $5 donation. Submissions will be narrowed down to the top five on April 15, and a winner or the winning name will be announced on Earth Day – Wednesday, April 22. All donations go toward the continued care of patients and LMC's study of the green, loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles on over 9 miles of shoreline within The Palm Beaches. Also, tune in for a live painting party with Lilly Pulitzer and their sea turtle patient, Citrus!

Get Outside, Responsibly

Though county parks and beaches may currently be closed, there are still ways to enjoy the fresh air around us. Grab your bike, rollerblades, skateboard or simply go for a walk/jog around your neighborhood. Spring is in the air, and blue jay and butterfly sightings can be prominent. Just a few minutes outside can make a big difference in your mood, concentration, creativity and most importantly your health.

In appreciation of Earth Day, Visit Palm Beach has announced a new monthly Intracoastal Waterway Coastal Cleanup that will kick off on May 30, 2020. Free kayaks will be provided, as will paddles, life vests, garbage pick-up sticks, disposable gloves, disposable garbage containers and or clean re-useable buckets for this initiative, as well as several sanitizing stations at the launch location. Interested participants are invited to reserve their spot/kayak now via Visit Palm Beach's website. Participants are encouraged to wear masks, but will be responsible for providing their own. Intracoastal Coastal Clean ups will be available on the last Saturday of each month through Summer 2020, from 9 to 10 a.m., departing from the Visit Palm Beach's West Palm Beach Waterfront Activity Station at the City of West Palm Beach's Public Center Dock.

Other Tips for this Earth Day (and every day)

• Dispose of your trash properly. If an immediate trash bins aren't accessible consider keeping a plastic bag in your car or take the item back home with you to throw away property. This includes gloves and masks.
  
  
• Don't feed wildlife. Though it can be tempting, please don't feed wildlife especially wildlife that you are spotting or encountering during your time outdoors. Feeding them can disrupt their natural behavior and change their eating and social habits with people.
  
  
• Minimize use of disposable products, especially when at home. Though this can be hard to manage through takeout and delivery options during COVID-19, there are still ways you can minimize disposable use in your home by using washable cups, plates, and dishes whenever possible. Also consider ditching plastic water bottles for more sustainable bottles during this time (and beyond).

About Discover The Palm Beaches
Discover The Palm Beaches, formerly the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the official 501(c)(6) not-for-profit, accredited tourism marketing organization that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns commonly referred to as “The Palm Beaches,” which spans more than 2,300 square miles and 47 miles of pristine, golden beaches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta. Tourism is among Palm Beach County's major industries, generating $5.06 billion in direct visitor spending and supporting 70,000 jobs with an economic impact of more than $7.7 billion. Once recognized as a tropical escape for elite travelers in the late 1800s, America's First Resort Destination® is making its resurgence as The Best Way To Experience Florida®, welcoming a record-breaking 8.22 million people in 2019. The Palm Beaches are home to more than 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from historic resorts to boutique inns. The destination features more than 100 family-friendly attractions, world-class luxury and antique shopping experiences, 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, 160 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf Stream current, 160 golf courses, award-winning restaurants and a thriving entertainment scene boasting more than 200 art and culture organizations.

Situated along I-95, The Palm Beaches are also home to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), with more than 200 daily direct flights to 27 domestic and international destinations in the United States and Canada. The Palm Beaches are also conveniently located next to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International airports, each one only an hour away. In addition, Brightline, soon to transition to Virgin Trains USA, transportation into The Palm Beaches from Fort Lauderdale and Miami is even faster and more convenient – with an additional connection to Orlando coming soon.

For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com and connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PalmBeachesFL, YouTube at Discover The Palm Beaches and the hashtag #ThePalmBeaches. Tune-in to The Palm Beaches TV for 24/7 streaming content of the destination's hotels, attractions, restaurants and experiences. 

Media Contact:

Discover The Palm Beaches' Public Relations Team
PR@ThePalmBeaches.com