Together for the Planet: An Earth Day Message & Everyday Actions

Sustainable Stillwater MN
Apr 22
2 min read

This Earth Day, we at Sustainable Stillwater MN are reflecting on the power of community. As our Executive Director, Andi Arnold, so beautifully puts it:

"On this Earth Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate you—the heart of our mission and the driving force behind every step we take toward a more sustainable Stillwater."

Your dedication to protecting the environment, supporting our neighbors, and fostering a resilient local economy is what fuels our mission. The work we do may be local, but the impact we make—together—ripples far beyond our community.

In honor of Earth Day, we want to share a few simple but powerful tips inspired by NPR that you can put into action right now to help build a more sustainable future:

🐟 Choose Sustainable Seafood

Next time you’re buying fish or ordering at a restaurant, ask:

Is this fish pole- or line-caught?
Is it caught in the U.S.?

These small questions help support responsible fishing practices and protect our oceans.

👚 Ditch Fast Fashion

Before you buy that trendy top, ask yourself: “Will I wear this at least 30 times?”

Fast fashion contributes significantly to landfill waste and water usage. Consider taking the No-Buy Challenge or committing to secondhand and long-lasting clothing.

❄️ Freeze & Compost Your Produce

Reduce food waste by freezing fruits and veggies you won’t use right away—this locks in nutrients and flavor. And when it’s time to toss scraps? Freeze them until you can compost, keeping your kitchen clean and contributing to healthy soil.

🚫 Audit Your Plastic Use

Feeling overwhelmed by plastic? Start with a simple home audit. Go room by room and track what plastics you use most—and why. Then make a plan to cut back one step at a time.

🌱 Eat Less Meat

You don’t have to go vegan to make a difference. Even small reductions in meat consumption can lower your carbon footprint and help fight deforestation and methane emissions.

🌍 Upgrade to Climate-Friendly Appliances

When it’s time to replace home appliances, consider energy-efficient options like induction stoves, Energy Star dryers, or heat pump water heaters. These changes reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help you save energy.

⚡️ Switch to Clean Energy

Call your utility provider and ask about opting for 100% clean electricity. Whether you rent or own, this one phone call can have a big impact.

🗳️ Use Your Voice and Vote

Let your elected officials know the environment matters to you. And when it comes time to vote, keep climate in mind. Big change starts with speaking up—and showing up.

As Andi reminds us:

"Now more than ever, we must stay strong, stay connected, and keep showing up—for each other and for the planet."

Let’s keep moving forward—together. Join us this weekend at the Valley Eco Fair to celebrate Earth Day, connect with our community, and discover more ways to live sustainably.