Kids learn about Earth Day at MCPL

The tables in the Children’s Program Room at Monroe County Public Library were strewn with markers, glue and recycled materials on Friday.

Presenter Janet Lambert helped about 30 participants make posters in honor of Earth Day.

The purpose of the event was to “make awareness for the kids that they can make a difference for the Earth,” Lambert said.

Nine-year-old Avery Njau and her mom worked on a collage made of old magazine pictures.

“Since it’s Earth Day, I wanted to show all the animals in their natural habits,” Avery said. “It’s a day people can recognize they should help the natural Earth. People shouldn’t build cities and cut into animals’ habitats.”

Avery has also helped to protect the environment at Fairview Elementary. A few weeks ago, Avery and a few friends started a group called Kids Go Green and have been picking up garbage in the schoolyard.

Other participants were just getting started with their environmental activism.

Five-year-old Emilee Templeton said her mom hadn’t told her about Earth Day yet, but she enjoys planting flowers. She enthusiastically slathered a poster with glue and stuck on paper cut-outs, old CD’s, toilet paper tube pieces and bottle caps.

“This is a merry-go-round,” she said as she spun her finger in a circular motion over a group of bottle caps. “It goes whirrrrr.”

Bloomington resident Sandra Dillman said she and her son, Chauncey, recycle more than they throw away at home.

“We care about our Earth,” she said as she watched Chauncey glue blue and green crepe paper scraps into the shape of the Earth.

“That’s where the iceberg is,” Chauncey said as he gestured to a spot he left blank.
Lambert explained she has helped MCPL present Earth Day-themed events for the last few years.

In the past she has set up different stations, but this year she enjoyed the hands-on craft.

She said the kids made a lot of cute comments about helping the environment.

“One little girl said the Earth would be better if we all planted flowers,” Lambert said.
Tilly Robinson, 9, explained she participated in the event because people need to help the planet.

“I’m doing a picture of a cat and it says ‘animals matter’ because I want people to know we are not the only ones on Earth,” she said. “I am going to do ‘plants matter’ over here.”

As the posters were finished, Lambert helped the children to hang them on the library wall.

“Happy Earth Day,” “The Earth is beautiful,” “The Earth needs Flowers!” they read.

“People really need to try to help the Earth,” Tilly said.