WORCESTER, Mass. - Planting seeds to help protect the environment and keep it clean. It’s what some families were up to at the EcoTarium to celebrate Earth Day.

On Friday, the EcoTarium hosted activities, including seed planting. It taught children how to use less electricity and protect their climate.

Evan Rice came with his mom and little brother and he learned about how he can affect the environment. 

“You’re helping the planet on Earth Day. You’re helping the plants survive harsh winters and conditions that are hard to survive and making like new houses for animals, helping them out,” Rice, of Medway, said.

Oxford’s Matthew McKeon also planted seeds, but another Earth Day event had him even more excited: a chance to take part in a keeper chat for the EcoTarium’s mountain lions.

The science and nature museum said it hadn’t been able to host a keeper chat in over a year. 

“They haven’t woke up in a while,” McKeon said about the mountain lions. “I hope they might bring them down and I can see them.”

For EcoTarium public programs coordinator, Rachel Quimby, Friday’s events were about empowering youth with the tools necessary to keep their environment clean for years to come.

“Because those are the people who will hold positions of power in just a few years. We’re so delighted to be part of their development hoping that early on they will understand and they’ll fall in love with the earth and with the climate and trying to protect it,” Quimby said. “So, that when they grow up, they will be that kind of leader that we need in charge.”

And for some of these families, it sounds like they’ll be celebrating Earth Day throughout the weekend, starting with re-planting the seeds they took home from Friday’s class.