Is that really a pink flamingo in one of the ponds at Audubon Community Nature Center? Those interested can discover more by checking out Audubon's "50 Years of Earth Day Challenge" on Facebook and learn how to celebrate this important anniversary while practicing social distancing.

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time — took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for the planet.

That first Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis: oil spills, smog, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire. It launched a wave of action, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of landmark environmental laws – the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts.

To help honor and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, the Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) has created a “50 Years of Earth Day Challenge” on Facebook.

Through Wednesday, April 22, every few days Audubon is posting a challenge that helps area residents recognize their relationship with planet Earth. It may be to spot a wildflower or take a walk along a creek, or find a pink flamingo on the nature center grounds. Those who take a picture of themselves engaging in a challenge and posting it on Facebook it will be combined with others for an Earth Day video.

Those who on Facebook can participate in the challenges and share the opportunity with friends. Visit Audubon Community Nature Center’s Events page on Facebook, click on the “Apr 22 Wed 12 AM” box, watch the video, then scroll down and click on Discussion to learn the challenges.

Those interested can also celebrate Earth Day 2020 and support the Audubon Community Nature Center by making a donation that will help keep Audubon’s trails open and safely maintained.

Visit AudubonCNC.org and click on the Donate Now button to make a donation of $19.70. If you would like to donate more, you can go to AudubonCNC.org/Donate.

In the meantime, if a lot of “staying at home” is making a family restless, Audubon has some ideas for activities at AudubonCNC.org/volunteer: planting and fostering milkweed seeds, collecting fairy house and fairy garden materials, making dragon eggs, and spring cleaning around the house.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, just east of Route 62 between Warren and Jamestown. While the Nature Center building is closed until further notice due to COVID-19 and state recommendations, visitors are welcome to walk the trails and view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, from dawn to dusk daily.