Preparations for Big Mamma Earth Day Celebrations Begin

Throughout Collier County - from Marco Island to Naples and out to the Everglades - people began creative works to honor the earth early this April.

Earth Day is a worldwide celebration on Tuesday, April 22, that began in 1970. This year, local environmental enthusiasts and organizations have begun preparations. 

"Earth day is my favorite day of the year, ‘cause more folks collectively are thinking about where they come from - Big Mamma,” said Garrett Stuart of Ochopee. 

Stuart is a biologist with an educational nonprofit and provides airboat tours through the Everglades at Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours. Stuart goes by Captain Planet for his environmental stewardship, as the founder of Eco Preservation Project, Inc, established to connect youth to the outdoors.

“It doesn’t matter what day you celebrate it on, heck, to me, every day is Earth Day,” said Stuart. 

“But pick yourself a day and give back to Nature,” he said. “Whether it’s by yourself picking up trash or with your family planting a tree, there’s always a way to help,” Stuart said. 

“You can even do a digital cleanup and delete old emails you’re never going to need. They take up unnecessary energy,” he added.

Stuart collaborated to create the first Big Mamma Day at the Miccosukee Village a couple years ago.

International Big Mamma Day

This year, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida again hosts the annual International Big Mamma Day at the Miccosukee Village, located in the midst of Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, near the reservation, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturday, April 19. 

Tribal members and friends began gearing up for the event, making handmade arts and crafts weeks in advance, and in some cases sooner.

Craft vendors, such as those knowledgeable of bees, honey, and pollination, along with jewelry makers and others will be present. The event includes live demonstrations alligators and Indigenous foods. Music includes swamp rock from the Jack Shealy Band, native flute by Samuel Tommie, Jah Steve and the Counteract Crew’s reggae music, Aztec dance from Ameyal Cultural Organization, and DJs Naqeeb and Brandon. Activities for all ages will be incorporated into the free event on U.S. 41. Visitors often enjoy purchasing handmade items, from clothes to jewelry and art.

Marco Island Earth Day Cleanup

Rene Ford, Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime member, invited people to attend the fourth annual island-wide Earth Day cleanup hosted by Rotary Noontime and the YMCA of Collier County, beginning 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 22 at the YMCA of Collier County, South Campus, 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island.

People will start at the Y and hear from guest speakers, followed by a deep clean of the YMCA as a thank you, said Ford. 

“Then, I invite people to go back to their businesses, homes and condos, and take personal responsibility of picking up litter responsibly,” said Ford. 

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida hosts an Earth Day Festival 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Saturday, April 12, with exhibits, activities, games, and vendors at 1495 Smith Preserve Way in Naples. 

Activities include a puppet show, a guided walk, a science show, and alligator, gopher tortoise, and snake presentations, among others. Approximately 50 organizations participate in the event, which has no cost to enter. Balloons, confetti, glitter, and artificial flowers are not permitted as part of a celebration that is meant to be safe for the Earth and all its inhabitants.