Creating Connections Through Nature & Sustainability
Written by Kylee Crist, 577 Program Assistant
Even though Earth Month has come to an end for 2026, caring for the Earth is something we can continue to think about all year long. Over the past few weeks, 577 has celebrated that connection through events like Go Green Day and our Annual Plant Sale, both centered around sustainability, nature, creativity, and community. While those seasonal events are wrapping up, the ideas behind them continue throughout the year in the classes, experiences, and everyday practices woven into life at 577.
At 577, we strive to incorporate sustainability, curiosity, and appreciation for nature into the classes and programs we offer year-round. From reusing materials when possible and reducing single-use plastics, to encouraging people to step outside and connect with the natural world around them, caring for the Earth is part of our everyday mindset.
Looking ahead, we continue to offer a variety of classes centered around nature, sustainability, and more intentional ways of living. Some of our May classes still have open spots available, and registration for June classes is now open. Some classes invite participants to learn more about the environment and deepen their connection to nature, while others focus on simple ways to make everyday life a little greener at home.
Some upcoming classes we recommend checking out for May include:
- Introduction to Birdwatching (May 14 & May 18)
- Native Plants 101 (May 21)
- DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies (May 22)
- Color: A Powerful Garden Tool (May 26)
- Herbal Remedies for Summer (May 30)
- Crafting Herbal-Infused Drinks (May 30)
Registration is also now open for several June classes, including:
- All About Flower Essences (June 6)
- Identifying Medicinal Herbs (June 6)
- DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies (June 12)
- Creating an Illustrated Field Journal (June 12)
In addition to the classes we offer, we still have a small selection of leftover plants available for purchase in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop following our Annual Plant Sale. If you’ve been wanting to start gardening, grow your own food, or simply add more plants to your outdoor space, this is a great way to get started while a few plants are still available.
We also have seed packets available for purchase, including zinnias, cosmos, foxglove, goldenrod, and more. These seeds have been collected from the 577 grounds and are herbicide- and pesticide-free.
While visiting the Curiosity Shop, you can also pick up a copy of our Foraging Guide, created by 577 Organic Garden Horticulturist Samantha Day. Tailored specifically to the Northwest Ohio region, the guide highlights plants and natural finds that you may even discover in your own backyard.
How Can I Help the Earth at Home?
There are many small, everyday choices that can make a positive impact on the environment. Here are a few simple ways to get started:
Support Pollinators
Planting native wildflowers, even in small backyard patches or containers, helps provide pollinators with important food sources and essential host plants. Looking for more native plant sales this month? Here are a few great local options to explore:
- Wild Toledo at the Toledo Zoo: Saturdays now through May 30, 9am–2pm
- Wild Ones Blue Week Native Plant Sale: May 16 & 17, 11am–2pm at Blue Creek Metropark
- Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District Plant Sale: Friday, May 22, 3pm–6pm
Reduce Waste
Using reusable grocery bags, shopping second-hand, and cutting back on single-use plastics are all simple ways to reduce everyday waste.
Recycle Thoughtfully
Learning your local recycling guidelines can help reduce contamination in recycling bins, and you may even discover you can recycle more items than you expected.
Compost
Composting helps reduce food waste going to landfills and can lower methane emissions. It can be as simple as using a small countertop compost bin and bringing scraps to a local compost drop-off site.
Leave the Leaves
In the fall and spring, leaving some fallen leaves behind can provide important habitat for wildlife and overwintering insects, including fireflies. Leaves can also help suppress weeds and naturally enrich the soil as they break down. If you need to tidy your yard, consider using leaves as natural mulch around plants and garden beds instead.
Earth Month reminds us to care for the Earth, its creatures, and ourselves, but those efforts do not need to end when April does. Protecting the environment often begins with small, thoughtful steps and everyday choices. Take time throughout the rest of the year to connect with nature, learn something new, and be part of the collective effort to care for the world around us.
Have an idea for an environmentally friendly class you would like to see offered or teach at 577? We would love to hear from you. Click HERE to complete the form.
