Earth Day 2021

In collaboration with two local non-profits (aZul for Better Living and Sea Turtle Adventures), twelve trees around the City have been “dressed up” in sustainable recycled fabrics with floral patterns. This innovative tree wrapping program provided an opportunity for adults with special needs (called Creatives) to express their artistic talents while bringing awareness to nature and the trees. Community members are invited to take photos of the dressed trees and share them through social media – throughout April, those that share and hashtag the photos with #GoGreenBoynton will be entered for a chance to win a $20 gift card to one of the City’s eight Go Green Business program participants in and around #DowntownBoynton. Trees are located:
•    Along E. Ocean Ave. from City Hall to Federal Hwy. (9 trees)  
•    In the playground behind the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum (1 Oak tree)
•    Outside the Ezell Hester Jr. Community Center, 1901 N Seacrest Blvd. (2 Oak trees)

Join Mayor Grant in reducing water consumption and energy usage throughout the month of April—and help Boynton Beach win the title of the “Most Water Wise” in the nation!

Visit mywaterpledge.com, pledge your commitment to conserve water and energy, and enter to win prizes such as $3,000 toward your Home Utility Bills, home improvement store gift cards, Hobie Surf Gift Cards, Toro Smart Irrigation Controllers, and more. You can even help a local charity win a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to help serve the community. The residents in the cities that have the most participation are eligible to win.

It’s free and only takes a minute. Take the pledge now and spread the word to all of your friends!

In addition to the Drive-Thru Earth Day Celebration on April 17, we are hosting events and activities throughout the month of April. 

The Sustainability Office is partnering with the Boynton Beach City Library to offer Earth Day Programs for all ages. 

Adults and Family Library 

•  April 14, 5:30-7 p.m. - Register to attend Virtual Program: What the Climate Crisis Means for Florida
Presented by Kira Lichtenfeld, a high school student who is passionate about climate change mitigation and ocean conservation. She is a trained Climate Reality Leader, CLEO Institute Certified Climate Speaker and President of the Marine Conservation Club at her high school.

•  April 19, 5:30-7 p.m. - Register to attend Virtual Program: Get in Touch With Nature In Your Neighborhood & Beyond
Led by Chris Lockhart, lead instructor with the Florida Master Naturalist Program. In this virtual experience, learn how to get in touch with nature in your own back yard or neighborhood, including how to make observations and draw conclusions about nature from what you see and hear.

•  April 22, 5:00-7:30 p.m. - Register to attend Virtual Program: Lionfish Virtual Dissection and Discussion
Presented by the Marine Environmental Education Center at Nova Southeastern University. Watch a LIVE virtual lionfish dissection to examine the external and internal anatomy of this invasive species. Participants will also learn about the history of the invasion and what adaptations allow these fish to thrive in the Atlantic Ocean, wreaking havoc on the marine ecosystem.

•  April 12-23 - Visit the Adult Library to browse our Earth Day book display and a grab ’n’ go coloring sheet table with floral, animal, and other nature-themed coloring sheets to take home and enjoy

Youth Library 

•  April 5–19 - Test your knowledge of your own backyard by matching clues to Florida wildlife! Can you tell which skulls, footprints, shells, and chrysalises belong to which creature? Complete your sheet to win a (reusable!) prize. 

• April 19–30 - Craft a “seed bomb” packed with sunflower seeds to grow at home! Next, search our shelves on a scavenger hunt to learn more about native plants and pollinators. 

Teen Library

• April 5–30 - Teen Seed Exchange and Seedling Take Home Activity
Bring heirloom fruit, vegetable, and flower seedlings to the Youth Library. If you don’t have seeds to swap, no problem—there will be a selection of seedlings for you to take home. It’s free! All you need is a library card!

• April 19–30 – Make and Take Craft: Recycled Plastic Bottle Planter
Turn your used plastic water bottles into beautiful flower garden!

Earth Day Quizzes

Test your knowledge about the Earth – these short, multiple choice quizzes are fun for the whole family! Quiz yourself. 

Fun Solar Activities (for you & your kids)

Solar United Neighborhoods brings you fun easy at-home activities families can do together to learn more about solar! Check out printable coloring books, craft ideas, and more!

Measure your carbon footprint

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. The average annual carbon footprint for a person in the United States is approximately 15 tons, one of the highest rates in the world. Globally, the average is closer to 4 tons per year. To have the best chance of avoiding a 2℃ rise in global temperatures, the average person’s carbon footprint needs to drop to less than 2 tons per year by 2050. 

Here are two different calculators you can use to estimate your carbon footprint and identify ways to lower it: 

#1 Carbon Footprint’s Calculator 

#2 The Nature Conservancy’s Calculator

The City created an Earth Day playlist to celebrate nature, peace, and being “green!” Do you have a favorite song to add? Contact us.

We will play the Earth Day playlist live at the Earth Day Celebration on April 17.

Here are a few of our picks:

• One Love - Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Mother Nature’s Son - The Beatles
• Where is the Love? - Black Eyed Peas
• Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows

•    Support local restaurants who participate in the City’s Green Business Recognition Program:
Driftwood | 561-733-4782 | 2005 Federal Hwy
Offering fresh local fare, hand-crafted cocktails, craft beers & relaxed atmosphere. Open for dinner through Delivery Dudes and take-out services.

Del Sol Bakery | 561-806-6726 | 1600 N Federal Hwy #15
A small, family-owned bakery specializing in a variety of delicious treats, handmade breads, assorted pastries and much more. Open Tuesdays and Saturdays for take-out and delivery.

Bond Street Ale and Coffee | 561-877-2462 | 1626 S Federal Hwy
European-style baked goods, egg dishes, quiches and sandwiches on signature breads, sultan hats filed with brie and caramelized onion and eggplant cheesecake, different flavored croissants and scones. View their "Socially Distant Supper Club Special" menu and "Bond at Home". 

Organic Kitchen & Mercantile | 561-292-3222 | 640 E. Ocean Ave., Suite 6 
Weekly delivered organic chef made meals. Made by seasoned local private chefs & delivered to your door. 

Anzo Mediterranean Kitchen – 561-877-8310 – 970 N. Congress Ave.
Healthy, fresh, and quick Mediterranean food at a reasonable price.

Guaca Go – 561-375-9885 – 510 E. Ocean Ave., Unit 106
Healthy and fresh build-your-own guacamole bowls, wraps, salads, smoothies, and more.

The Butcher & The Bar – 561-903-7630 – 510 E. Ocean Ave., Unit 101
Full-service retail butcher shop, premium bar, and dining venue featuring regionally sourced and clean meats and food.

Learn more about the City's Green Business Recognition Program  
 

Boynton Beach Utilities provides free conservation kits to residents of the Utilities Service Area while supplies last. The kit includes a low-flow showerhead, LED light bulb, replacement toilet flapper, and leak detector dye tablets.

Pick up your conservation kit at one of these locations:

• City Hall at the Customer Service window, 100 E. Ocean Ave., Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm
• Utilities Administration Building, 124 E. Woolbright Rd., Monday – Friday 8am to 4:30pm

Utilities Service Area residents are also eligible to apply for FREE rain barrels while supplies last. Please visit our water conservation page to learn more.

Are you planning any improvements to your home or small business? If you own property within the Boynton Beach city limits, the Energy Edge Rebate Program provides rebates for eligible energy-efficiency improvements including central HVAC, insulation, doors and windows, reflective roofs, water heaters, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and electric vehicle supply equipment. Rebates are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until all allocated funds are awarded. Learn more here.

Have you ever thought about putting solar panels on your roof? This is a great time to do it! The City of Boynton Beach is teaming up with nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to bring you the Palm Beach County Solar Co-op.

The solar co-op will help area homeowners and small business owners learn about solar together and purchase solar panels at a group rate from a single installer. Joining the co-op is free and does *not* obligate members to purchase solar panels! Members will receive:

• A free review of your roof to see if solar panels will work for you
• One-on-one support for all your questions about going solar
• An individualized proposal for solar at a bulk rate 

The co-op is open to new members until May 15, 2021. Learn more and sign up at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/PalmBeach.