This Earth Day, NC Survival School showed up, and so did Carrboro. On April 22nd, Anita Cunningham and I spent the day tabling at Carrboro Earth Day, surrounded by neighbors, families, and community members who came out to celebrate the planet and connect with local organizations doing the work. The energy was amazing, the kids were curious, and the conversations reminded us of exactly why we do what we do.
Lily Roth & Anita Cunningham at Carrboro Earth Day; Credit: Lily Roth
We were especially excited to share our table with Dogwood Alliance, a Southern forest protection nonprofit working to defend forests and frontline communities from harmful industries. We partnered with their North Carolina State Manager, Paige Polk, whose background spans climate advocacy, tech, government, and Emmy award-winning storytelling. Having them alongside us was a reminder that disaster preparedness and environmental protection are deeply connected, and you cannot separate the resilience of people from the resilience of the land they live on.
Lily Roth & Anita Cunningham with Paige Polk from Dogood Alliance at Carrboro Earth Day; Credit: Lily Roth
Throughout the day, we got to meet community members of all ages including many children who had big questions and even bigger energy. We talked about what it means to be ready not just for yourself, but for your household and your neighbors.
Anita Cunningham tabling at Carrboro Earth Day; Credit: Lily Roth
We handed out our Disaster Preparedness Checklist, walking people through the essentials:
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day, at least 3 days’ worth stored
- Cash and cards set aside and accessible
- A go-bag ready to grab in under 5 minutes
- Knowing your evacuation route — and which neighbors might need help
- A stocked first aid kit and any needed prescription medications
- Knowing how to shut off your gas and water in an emergency
- A battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
These aren’t just logistics. They’re acts of care for yourself and your community.
To cap off the day, we raffled off two fully stocked go-bags. Watching people light up when they won — and seeing the genuine curiosity from those who didn’t — confirmed what we already believe: people want to be prepared. They just need the tools, the information, and someone to meet them where they are.
Caption: Lily Roth tabling at Carrboro Earth Day; Credit: Lily Roth
Carrboro Earth Day was exactly that kind of meeting place. We’ll be back.
