Earth Day 2025 - 55th Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day, April 22, 2025
“The earth is what we all have in common.”—Wendell Barry
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd by more than a billion people around the world, marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement. For that first Earth Day in 1970, back in the days of student anti-war protests and growing public awareness of environmental degradation, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin came up with the idea of organizing student teach-ins to raise consciousness about air and water pollution. Thousands of colleges and universities responded with organized protests against the deteriorating environment.
The impact of that first Earth Day is almost unbelievable. By the end of 1970 it led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as environmental laws such as the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Clean Air Act. Soon after, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act were enacted. The relevance of Earth Day becomes more pronounced as the years go by.
Ten Ways to participate in Earth Day throughout the year! The Old Farmers Almanac (www.almanac.com) suggests ways you can make a difference.
1. Support our pollinators: Bring native bees and butterflies to your garden.
2. Clean up plastic in the neighborhood: Join a trash pick-up group to clean up Betsey Kerrison Parkway.
3. Go to a Park Today: It’s good for your body and mind.
4. Plant a Tree: One oak tree brings in more insect and bird species than an entire yard of plants.
5. Use wildflowers and native plants: they attract beneficial insects that improve pest control and pollination, resulting in bigger flowers.
6. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in the Garden: Buy in bulk; reuse, recycle or return plastic pots; use biodegradable pots.
7. Stop using chemicals in the garden: Focus on the health of the soil and plants will thrive.
8. Conserve water: Water wisely at soil level and use rain barrels.
9. Think about your diet: one third of food produced goes to waste.
10. Get kids involved: Pass down a love of nature and plants to the next generation.
