Before you conduct your search, Google the kinds of trees that are common to your area and get a sense of how tall they can grow. Then, gather your search party, a long piece of string, a tape measure, your phone, and a notebook. Travel to three or four locations where a local species of tree likely grows, such as parks or fields, and have everyone search for the biggest tree of this species. When you find large trees, measure  their circumference with the string and tape measure, and record your findings in the notebook. When you find a tree with the largest circumference, take a picture of everyone standing around it,  and make plans to visit it again next year!

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This year, make your efforts fun by throwing an Earth Day Bash. Start by gathering your friends and family at a nearby park or field to pick up trash. Supply the crew with garbage bags and rubber gloves and set a timer for thirty minutes to an hour of clean-up. Be sure to separate recyclables from waste and dispose of everything properly.

Afterwards, offer each member of your clean-up crew a dollop of hand sanitizer and invite everyone to reconvene at your home for an Earth Day potluck. Ask your guests to bring items that are ethically and sustainably sourced, such as produce grown organically by local farmers and dishes that don’t require using a lot of electricity to prepare. Think salads, delicious dips, hummus, and zucchini “noodles.” 

After the meal, invite your guests to adopt one or two eco-friendly practices and commit to them for a whole year. Examples include carrying your groceries home in reusable bags and making your own non-toxic cleaning solutions out of white vinegar and essential oils. 

Once everyone has selected one or two eco-friendly practices to adopt, have guests take a moment to pull up the calendar app on their phones and enter reminders such as “place a reusable bag in the car” or “add tea tree oil to Sunday’s shopping list.” 

Finally, schedule a follow-up to the Earth Day Bash, so that everyone can share new eco-friendly ideas, report the results of their efforts, and enjoy another clean-up and potluck.

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• 2 packets active dry yeast
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 6 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 Tbsp water

Directions

Combine the yeast, warm water, and white sugar in a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Cut in 3/4 cup butter with a knife. In a small saucepan, boil the milk and a half cup of brown sugar. Add the yeast mixtures to the flour, along with the eggs, and mix to form a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface and allow it to rise in a covered bowl for 2 hours. Roll the dough into a square and brush with the melted butter. Sprinkle with the cinnamon, remaining brown sugar, and raisins. Roll up the dough to form a log and cut into 1-inch slices. Place the slices on a greased baking pan and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 F / 190 C for 25 minutes.

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