Earth Day for Everyone
The idea for Earth Day in the United States originated with Gaylord Nelson, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, in 1969. Senator Nelson envisioned a day which would become an "environmental teach-in" to promote human health and to safeguard the natural environment.
About 20 million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This was an era before many of the environmental controls we enjoy today were in place. Rivers caught fire, Lake Erie was "dead" and DDT was poisoning wildlife. Also in 1970, President Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Air Act was strengthened. In 1972, the EPA banned DDT, the Clean Water Act was passed and the U.S. and Canada pledged together to clean up the Great Lakes.
While we've come a long way since then, old and new threats to our environment are still evident everywhere. On the first Earth Day, no one had ever heard the phrase "Global Warming" and Emerald Ash Borers, Zebra Mussels and many other invasive species still hadn't invaded our ecosystems.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems facing our world. At the same time, it's very important to remember that we live on an amazing planet, filled with grace and beauty! In that spirit, take time out this Earth Day to enjoy the natural wonders around you. Sit in your yard, go for a walk around the block or come to Chippewa Nature Center!
This year, you can enjoy a special Earth Day Hike in the woods to take in the sights, sounds and smells of spring. Naturalist Karen Breternitz will lead this 1½ hour hike and talk about the trees, wildflowers and fungi that are getting ready for their busy season. For information about this and other Nature Center programs, just check out our website.
Happy Earth Day!
The idea for Earth Day in the United States originated with Gaylord Nelson, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, in 1969. Senator Nelson envisioned a day which would become an "environmental teach-in" to promote human health and to safeguard the natural environment.
About 20 million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. This was an era before many of the environmental controls we enjoy today were in place. Rivers caught fire, Lake Erie was "dead" and DDT was poisoning wildlife. Also in 1970, President Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Air Act was strengthened. In 1972, the EPA banned DDT, the Clean Water Act was passed and the U.S. and Canada pledged together to clean up the Great Lakes.
While we've come a long way since then, old and new threats to our environment are still evident everywhere. On the first Earth Day, no one had ever heard the phrase "Global Warming" and Emerald Ash Borers, Zebra Mussels and many other invasive species still hadn't invaded our ecosystems.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems facing our world. At the same time, it's very important to remember that we live on an amazing planet, filled with grace and beauty! In that spirit, take time out this Earth Day to enjoy the natural wonders around you. Sit in your yard, go for a walk around the block or come to Chippewa Nature Center!
This year, you can enjoy a special Earth Day Hike in the woods to take in the sights, sounds and smells of spring. Naturalist Karen Breternitz will lead this 1½ hour hike and talk about the trees, wildflowers and fungi that are getting ready for their busy season. For information about this and other Nature Center programs, just check out our website.
Happy Earth Day!
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