LEXINGTON, Ky. — Bluegrass Greensource released guidance for Earth Day 2024, encouraging residents to adopt small environmental practices that can have significant impacts around their homes.

Bluegrass Greensource, a nonprofit organization serving a 20-county region in central Kentucky, operates under the motto "Small changes, big impact," according to Executive Director Amy Sohner. The organization provides education and resources to help residents, businesses, schools and local governments transition toward more sustainable practices.

The Earth Day initiative reflects broader sustainability efforts underway across Lexington. The City of Lexington and University of Kentucky celebrate April as Earth Month, hosting various environmental stewardship programs and opportunities for residents to engage with local natural areas. Recent Earth Day celebrations in the city included volunteer cleanups at locations like McConnell Springs and Raven Run, where participants removed invasive species and litter from greenspaces.

"Earth Day is a catalyst for getting people more engaged in their parks," said Paul Hooper with Lexington Public Parks. "It also inspires people to go to their neighborhood park and maybe pick up some litter and trash."

Beyond volunteer work, educational initiatives have made sustainability accessible to families. Local organizations hosted workshops and craft activities focused on conservation, with events like the Kentucky Children's Garden Earth Day celebration featuring STEAM activities designed to engage young people in environmental stewardship.

Sohner emphasized that sustainability requires collective action. "Whatever it is you're doing collectively, we make a really big difference," she said, noting that Bluegrass Greensource works with organizations of all sizes to identify practical solutions from waste reduction to energy efficiency.