April 22 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a national holiday that recognizes the need to respond to the global climate crisis.

Fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, protesting on college campuses and in cities across the country to demand an end to pollution.

This first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day to sign the historic Paris Agreement on climate change.

This year, Earth Day will look a bit different. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many in-person Earth Day events have been canceled. That doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate at home, however. Below is a list of ideas from local environmental organizations about how you can celebrate Earth Day while still following the governor’s stay-at-home order.

Plant a native tree or shrub

The Friends of the Trees organization in Port Hadlock is providing native trees and shrubs for people to plant on Earth Day. They can be hand-delivered and left at your doorstep with a safe, clean packaging and delivery system. To order, email Michael Pilarski at friendsofthetrees@yahoo.com. Specify if you prefer Oregon white oak, russet buffaloberry, oceanspray, golden currant, Oregon grape or chokecherry. Orders will be filled while supplies last.

Plant a garden

Start small if you have never gardened before: Lettuces, kales, spinach, radishes and summer squash are all fairly easy to grow. Plant tomato plants in individual pots you can situate in the warmest place on your property, perhaps against a south-facing wall. Seeds can be purchased online from local farmers, such as Seed Dreams, by emailing gowantoseed@yahoo.com or Uprising Seeds at uprisingorganics.com.

Organize a neighborhood community food garden

Community gardens are collectively planted and harvested. The total skills needed can be drawn from the talents of the entire group of participants. Find available land space and invite neighbors who are interested. See the Local 20/20 website for information on how to get one going: l2020.org/local-food/community-gardens/

Stay Home, Stay Healthy and Play Salmon Bingo

The Northwest Salmon Coalition has created an online “bingo” game anyone can play. Cross off items on the bingo board, such as “Make a spring bouquet,” or “Draw a salmon and label all the fins.” The bingo board also has environmental actions you can take part in, such as “Remove an invasive plant from your yard,” or “Check your local sewer drain to make sure it is labelled ‘Drains to Puget Sound.’” To access this virtual bingo board, go to nosc.org and click “Stay Home, stay healthy and play bingo.”

Join a virtual Earth Day Musical

Finnriver Farm & Cidery will host an online Earth Day musical for the whole family from noon to 1 p.m. on April 22. The event will feature live music, highlighting Ella Bella Bee & the Pollinators, a two-bees musical that informs and engages adults and children about bees and other pollinators. To join, check out Finnriver’s virtual gathering space, called the InCider Space at their Facebook: facebook.com/finnriver.

Donate to a local organization

There are many local groups working to protect air, water, land, plants or animals. Locally, contribute to Jefferson County Land Trust, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Friends of Fort Worden, North Olympic Salmon Coalition, Friends of the Trees Society, Native Plant Society, North Olympic Audubon Society or others.

Participate in an Earth Day EcoChallenge

Earth Day Ecochallenge is a month-long virtual event in April in which participants can learn about different environmental actions they can take to benefit the environment. Daily actions include simple things, such as using a reusable water bottle, learning how to save water when washing the dishes or learning about eco-friendly gardening. Go to earthday.ecochallenge.org to participate in a daily challenge.

Join the BioBlitz

The third annual “iNaturalist BioBlitz” through the Port Townsend Marine Science Center next month is a good way to get outdoors while also following social-distancing guidelines.

Participants submit photos of living organisms they find in Fort Worden State Park through a digital app, iNaturalist, which are then evaluated and identified in real time by PTMSC.

The goal is to record as many unique species as possible in one 24-hour window beginning May 9 at 10 a.m. and ending the next day. Photos can be of plants, animals, fungi or any other living organism.

The photos must be taken in Fort Worden, but people can still participate from home by watching other entries being submitted digitally.

Those interested must sign up for a free iNaturalist account online or through a digital smartphone app.

Join Fungi Day

The makers of the Fantastic Fungi film will hold a virtual event, called Fungi Day, on April 21 featuring live-streamed conversations with researchers, educators and solutionaries about our planet’s most pressing environmental and global challenges. Paul Stamets, Louie Schwartzberg, Suzanne Simard and Jason Silva will speak in a panel available to watch for free on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Learn more at fantasticfungi.com.

Send Encouraging Messages for Healing

Honor the Earth Day by contributing to a sound art piece. Submit your inspiring audio recorded messages or sounds for the Earth and all beings to be included in a collective soundscape. The intention is to celebrate the Earth and convey our compassion by weaving sounds and words (poems, wishes, praise) together. Send sound contributions to Adrianna@l2020.com by April 20th. This Earth Day celebration soundtrack will be available on the Local 2020 website starting April 22nd.