Earth Week Celebration & Exploration of Plants, Animals & Insects for All Ages

Posted on March 16, 2022 at 6:00 am

by Gwendolyn Haley

Earth Week is the perfect time to get outside and explore while also learning about the importance of conservation and biodiversity.

We’ve planned a week of activities for you!

BioBlitz 2022

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species of plants, animals, and insects as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. During the event, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get snapshots of an area’s biodiversity.

A BioBlitz can happen in most any geography—urban, rural, or suburban—and in areas as small as a backyard or as large as a whole country.

Do you wonder about the types of trees you see in your neighborhood? How about those interesting bugs you see in the grass?

You can become a citizen scientist and help record the amazing diversity of Spokane County with us by participating in BioBlitz 2022 all week long!

You can use the iNaturalist website and/or the iNaturalist app to take pictures of plants, animals, and insects, share them to our project, and then a community of people will help you identify them.

During our Earth Week BioBlitz, you can flex your scientific muscles by finding and identifying as many as you can.

This program requires a smartphone or digital camera, and you’ll need to sign up on iNaturalist and join the library’s project.

BioBlitz 2022: Explore Nature’s Plants & Creatures
For all ages
OUTDOORS & ONLINE
Observation Days: April 17–23
No registration needed—explore where you are & share!

Nature’s Recyclers

Did you know that mealworms are superstar plastic recyclers?

West Valley Outdoor Learning Center educators present a fascinating online program that introduces you to Nature’s Recyclers—mealworms. Registration is required, so sign up to see and learn about these amazing creatures.

Nature’s Recyclers: Mealworms
For all ages
Presented by West Valley Outdoor Learning Center
ONLINE
Tuesday, April 19, 4–5pm | REGISTER

Nature Hike

Take a guided hike around Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve with the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy. This easy to moderate hike is about 3 miles round trip.

Bring your camera to document all the different species of plants and animals you see. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon.

NOTE: A Discover Pass is required to park at the Waikiki Springs Trailhead. A limited supply of Discover Passes are available through library catalog.

Waikiki Springs Nature Hike
For adults
Led by Inland Northwest Land Conservancy
WAIKIKI SPRINGS TRAILHEAD
Wednesday, April 20, 2–5pm | REGISTER

Outdoor BioBlitz Celebration

We’re finishing out the week with an outdoor celebration at Mirabeau Meadows in Spokane Valley. Partnering with Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation, we’re providing a self-guided and marked geology walk, scavenger hunts, and field guides to help you explore.

You can use our microscopes to get a really close look at any of the plants and insects you discover. And of course, you can bring your own smartphone or borrow a library iPad to take some pictures to post to iNaturalist to finish the weeklong BioBlitz.

Bring the whole family for outdoor exploration and discovery!

Outdoor BioBlitz Celebration at Mirabeau Meadows
For all ages
MIRABEAU MEADOWS, MIRABEAU POINT PARK
13500 Mirabeau Pkwy (Spokane Valley)
Saturday, April 23, 10am–2pm
No registration needed—drop by & explore with us!

Earth & Environment Exploration Resources

Want to learn more about Earth Day, the environment, and biodiversity?

Check out these online resources found in our Digital Library and available on our computers in our libraries:

• World Book – The entire encyclopedia plus maps, audio, videos, and interactive tools
• Gale in Context: Science – Explore articles, experiments, biographies, images, videos, and more on scientific topics

Delve deeper into the world of science on OverDrive with eBooks and audiobooks for all ages on the curated booklist: Be a Citizen Scientist!

Tags: adults, animals, BioBlitz, Earth Day, Earth Week, hike, insects, kids, nature, outdoors, parents, plants, science, STEM, teens, tweens