This year, April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—when people around the globe come together to give back to their local communities in an effort to celebrate and honor our planet. There are many opportunities near your 1213 Walnut apartment to get out and enjoy the green space Philadelphia provides; there were also a number of formal events meant to celebrate the day, but they were largely canceled because of the current health crisis.

So, in lieu of participating in a special event, here are a few ways you can do your part to support the earth this year:

Clean up a local park: Because of the many recent business closures, local parks have become a haven for Philadelphians, which may be one of the few silver linings in recent events. As you’ve likely found, there are lots of parks near your 1213 Walnut apartment, from Rittenhouse Square Park to Washington Square Park. So on Earth Day, take a (social distance!) stroll to get some exercise in one of the local parks, and bring along a few bags to pick up trash while you’re at it! If you’ve got a green thumb, help pull up some weeds and collect leaves to make the park ready to welcome back visitors.

Support a local organization: Nonprofit organizations have taken a hard hit from the recent closures, so if you want to observe Earth Day this year, why not make a contribution to a local group that supports sustainability? Organizations like the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society host events and programming year-round to promote caring for our community and its green spaces, while other groups give back through community gardening, agricultural education and animal welfare. So this Earth Day, pick your favorite local organization and help support its future—and the future of our commnunity!