How to appreciate nature with Earth Day 50 on the horizon

Break quarantine with a bike ride to see the city and help the environment
Bicycle shops are now considered an essential service during the pandemic and one local shop is thriving in Center City.

Trek Center City features a contact-less system set up for service and repair and the shop is offering free delivery on new bikes with a 30-day test drive period.

Trek Center City | Website
1923 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-568-6002

Circuit Trails | Website

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia | Cycling Map

It's baby season for endangered species at the Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo has been a leader in animal conservation in the United States. As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we recognize the Zoo's work protecting and preserving endangered species.

The Zoo is also welcoming a number of new animals from parents considered endangered speices. One such animal is th enew sloth bear club, and you can help the Zoo name it in an online contest. The link to vote on some of the suggested names is below.
Even though the doors are closed for now the zoo staff is still working hard. Without any guests visiting they are trying to raise money to keep all the animals healthy and safe. If you'd like to help you can support their Spring Back Fund.

Philadelphia Zoo | Facebook | Instagram | Donate to the Spring Back Fund
3400 W. Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104

PHS Community Gardens growing food for those in need
With the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a surge in people looking to grow their own food. Through a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and Temple University, PHS is helping folks grow their food.

The PHS Community Gardening program supports hundreds of neighborhood gardens that grow items for local food pantries.

Fishtown's Urban Exchange Project specializes in retail UPcycling
This Eco-friendly shop is a no-waste, fashion recycling store with a whole lot of creativity.

Inside the Fishtown and Roxborough locations, you can find jewelry, sunglasses, hats, purses and clothing for all occasions.

Urban Exchange Project | Facebook | Instagram
2050 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125


Veteran meditator offering virtual relaxation courses for free
Coping with things in the world or Coronavirus pandemic is understandably stressful, to say the least. Meditation is said to bring relaxation, so Karen Rogers tried out a session to see how it helps.

Jessie Amitrano is a 20-year practitioner, who is sharing her sessions with 'virtually' everyone. And during the current stay at home orders, she is making her videos free so you can log on to her YouTube channel and try them anytime at home.
Jessie Amitrano om YouTube

Follow Karen Rogers on Social Media | Stream Virtual Workouts at Home

Three Philly restaurants serving healthcare heroes
One of the most uplifting parts of the COVID-19 crisis is how many people are finding ways to help out their fellow human beings.

The Sixers' Milton Shake teamed up with HipCityVeg to donate $5,000 for lunch bags filled with his favorite vegan fast food items to donate to medical workers. Within two days, fans had doubled the donation.
Dig Philly, a New York-based, vegetable-focused restaurant that opened in Rittenhouse Square in early January started a bowl for bowl program, donating a bowl for every bowl bought. But the need from hospitals and homeless shelters grew so quickly, the restaurant launched Dig Feeds, inviting customers to contribute as well.

And at Performance Meal Prep, a $10 donation buys a meal for a healthcare worker on the front line, and the home delivery company is matching every donation, providing two meals for every $10 donated.

HipCityVeg | Give Shake an Assist | Venmo Donations | Locations |Menu
open for pickup and free home delivery
214 S 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
267) 244-4342
Dig Philly | Dig Feeds Online Donations
To donate a meal, people may text "GIVEDIG" to 80519. Those in need of meals can text "DIG FEEDS" to 80519.
open for pickup and delivery
1616 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-344-8440

Performance Meal Prep |To Donate to a Healthcare Hero


PAFA goes online for convos and classes
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the nation's first museum and school is making its numerous offerings available online amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With their new program 'PAFA From Home: Inspiration Everywhere, Anywhere', you can see from your couch everything that you can do online, from classes to art history happy hours!

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts | Donate To 'PAFA Strong'
PAFA From Home: Inspiration Everywhere, Anywhere | PAFA YouTube Channel

PAWS puts in OT to meet increase foster requests during COVID-19
Rescues around the country are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of people looking to foster a pet.

We check in with PAWS to see how they are going above and beyond to fill the demand and continue to treat animals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PAWS | Operations amid COVID-19 | PAWS Emergency Fund
2900 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146
215-298-9680

It's Tulip Time: Dalton Farms remains a flowery escape

UPDATE: After this story aired on FYI, Dalton Farms cancelled its drive-through tours. A statement on its Facebook page says it was ordered to close by the State of New Jersey. The farm is now doing online sales and curbside pickup.

Dalton Farm | Facebook | Instagram
660 Oak Grove Road, Swedesboro, NJ 08085

goPuff: Delivering Food & Support for Healthcare Workers
goPuff is a Philadelphia delivery store. Basically, a grocery store on wheels delivering essential household items anywhere within 30 minutes of the city. It was started by two Drexel University students in Philadelphia in 2013 and has now grown to more than 170 cities across the country. During the COVID 19 pandemic they have not only been tool for many who cannot leave their house they have also contributed more than a million dollars in donations for healthcare workers.

goPuff | Facebook | Instagram