The smell of dirt is intoxicating. It is said to be a natural antidepressant. It’s spring, and it’s Earth Month — the perfect time to get dirty. The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District is hosting a lineup of community activities that benefit both the earth and the people in the community during the month of April — Earth Month.  

Ally Cuomo, the engagement coordinator, and Jessica Cullinan, a board member at the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, are helping to organize these events to encourage people to get involved in community activities this Earth Month. According to Cuomo, the reason is simple. She said, “Because it’s cool to be in the community and outdoors.” 

Another smell associated with spring is the smell of rain. Spring is known for rain, and rain can be useful in many ways. Learning how to collect and use it can be a fun community experience. On April 5, the first rain barrel event of Earth Month will take place in Barrington. There will be four rain barrel events in total, extending beyond Earth Month into May. 

_{Two kids paint a rain barrel at a rain barrel event at the Bristol Parks & Recreation Building; the paint darkens the barrel and prevents algae from forming in the water.}

At these events, homeowners can purchase a rain barrel, and when they pick it up, someone from the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District will drill holes in it, if desired. Attendees can also enjoy sanding and painting the barrels at the event. 

There are several reasons a homeowner might want to collect rainwater. According to Cuomo, one use of a rain barrel is to divert rainwater from the roof and keep it out of the yard. She shared, “A rain barrel can reduce stormwater runoff, which ultimately helps the earth by preventing rainwater from picking up pollutants like salt from salted roads, oil from cars, or excess nutrients in the ground.”

She also noted that the collected water can be saved and used during times of drought, or used specifically for gardening.

Native gardens come alive this spring

Both Cuomo and Cullinan receive a lot of questions on the topic of gardening. Most often they receive questions from homeowners wanting to create useful native gardens in their backyards. 

Cullinan shared, “We get questions like, ‘How can I increase the deer I see in my yard?’ ” Cullinan explained, “Many people inquire about native plants because they want to see an increase in wildlife, like deer, or because they want to create a pollinator garden and see more butterflies.” She went on to say, “Cutting down some invasive species and adding native plants are great ways to attract more wildlife to your backyard.”

This year’s seedling sale is focused on increasing native plant varieties — only native plant seeds will be available for sale. Cuomo shared, “We used the native plant list from the University of Rhode Island and confirmed their selections with the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.” They are selling small shrub trees, larger perennial flowers, and white turtlehead — a plant highly recommended and approved by the Wild Plant Society, according to Cuomo.

To make gardens more useful, they’re also selling edible plants like the American hazelnut and elderberry plant. They also sell native flowering plants. Cuomo shared, “Some people want their yards to have pretty flowers, and these plants serve a dual purpose — they’re great for pollinators, and they also look nice.” She went on to discuss how, in some cases, they’re perfect for swampy or water-pooling areas as they can help with drainage. 

Both Cuomo and Cullinan are invested in sharing tips with people who have questions about rain collection, gardening, and anything else that has to do with the environment. At local farmer’s markets they bring more than just seeds and dirt; they bring information in the form of their own tips and physical plant guides that people can take home.

Plogging adventures in the East Bay

_{Two volunteers from last year’s Newport plogging event at the Rhode Races Newport Marathon smile big at their accomplishment of picking up the trash along the course.}

Plogging is a relatively new term. Cullinan shared the history of the word and the activity associated with it, as another way to get involved in making a difference in the community — especially during Earth Month. Cullinan explained, “The word ‘plogging’ is a combination of the Swedish phrase ‘plocka upp,’ which means ‘to pick up’ and the English word ‘jogging.’ ” It is a fairly new term, originating in Sweden in the year 2016. Plogging is when people in the community gather together, go for a jog, and pick up trash along the way.

Cuomo said, “Small actions, like picking up trash, conserving water, and growing native gardens, can feel empowering to people who often feel helpless when it comes to protecting the Earth. She said, “When you might feel helpless, in efforts at helping protect wildlife and the Earth, removing trash from the environment, participating in these efforts together, makes a difference.”

The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District is hosting several plogging events during Earth Month. Check the ERICD website for more information. These plogging events are free volunteer activities that are open to everyone.