Attention all Earth lovers and eco-friendly commuters: The Oregon Safe Routes to School is calling on students, their families, and school communities to mark Earth Month by walking or rolling their way to school. With the whole month of April 2024 dedicated to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprints, this initiative aims to celebrate the planet in a very literal, step-by-step manner.

But here's the twist – no swag will be littering the streets here, as organizers are ditching physical rewards for participation and instead are pushing for a collective burst of creativity. From painting murals that honor Mother Nature to writing heartfelt notes of gratitude to our planet, students are encouraged to showcase their love for Earth in personal and artful ways. The hallmark event on April 22, Earth Day itself, is promising to be a showcase of these eco-centric endeavors, sure, kids will be planting seeds not just ideas, making posters not just statements, and let's not forget the art – it's about to get green up in here in the most innovative of ways.

For those who need a nudge or two, an Earth Month toolkit is available online, brimming with resources and tips on how to get involved and plan activities that will have a lasting impact, and not just on our calves and quads. Want to know how to start a 'walk and roll' phenomenon at your school? No problem. The city's website has your back, detailed with guidelines and a friendly offer to answer questions via email. They've rolled out the green carpet, and now it's up to you to walk it – or bike it, or scooter it, whatever rolls your socks up and your carbon emissions down.

The move away from material incentives is not just a nod to the need for sustainability, but it's a straight-up embrace, with organizers putting their money (or lack thereof) where their mouth is, and quite frankly, it's about time. We talk the eco-talk, but it's moves like these that have us walking the walk – quite literally. So, whether you're strapping on your walking shoes or pumping the bike tires, get ready to join the Earth Month Walk + Roll. It's not just about getting from A to B; it's about taking strides for the planet, and this April, those strides are going to echo throughout Oregon.