Earth Day's 40th Anniversary

This April 22nd will mark the 40th Earth Day celebration. Browse the web and you'll find many pages commemorating the anniversary, such as this one which tells the story of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who proposed the original idea. From the beginning, however, Earth Day was a widespread grassroots movement. Today, events are held all over the world to celebrate the Earth and it's ecosystems and to promote action on environmental issues from "old school" issues such as water and air pollution to 21st century efforts to reduce (or eliminate) our "carbon footprint." 


Michigan's largest Earth Day event will take place April 23-25 in Rochester, Michigan. According to event organizers, "The MI Earth Day Fest  will welcome to downtown Rochester an anticipated audience of 100,000 people from around Michigan, eager to learn about green and healthy living, and seeking earth-friendly alternatives in food, energy, transportation, clothing, wellness, career, home, garden, finances and more."

Closer to home, Chippewa Nature Center will be holding an Earth Day Hike from 5:30-7:00pm with Naturalist Karen Breternitz. This free program will get you outdoors into the woods to take in the sights, sounds and smells of spring. Along the way, Karen will talk about the trees, wildflowers and fungi that are getting ready for their busy season.


However you choose to celebrate Earth Day this year, we hope you spend some time to reflect on our connection to all living things on the planet we call home. Though it seems big sometimes, we're reminded every day how each insect, plant, animal, air and water molecule are all interconnected. We can all do something to care for the Earth. What will you do this year?