History of Earth Day

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson conceived the idea of Earth Day. Nelson was troubled that the state of our environment was not an issue in the politics of our country. As Nelson read about the teach-ins on college campuses to protest the Vietnam War, he wondered if a national teach-in on the environment would be an effective way to heighten awareness. That was the origin of Earth Day.

In September 1969 at a speech in Seattle, he announced there would be a national environmental teach-in during the spring of 1970. The response was dramatic. On April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million people participated in peaceful demonstration.

Nelson achieved his goal. The nationwide demonstration was so large that it forced the environment to permanently be placed on the national political agenda.

In 1990, Earth Day activities were held all over the world to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth Day.

How to Plan an Earth Day Activity

Why Should You Plan An Earth Day Activity?

Because it’s FUN! And, it’s good for the environment.

How and What Do I Do?

The main thing is you do something!

• First, think about what you want to do.
• If you don’t have any ideas, talk to other people.
• Collect all the ideas, write them down and choose the one(s) you would like to do.
• Make a flyer advertising your activities. Include a date so others can volunteer, participate or see your final product.

In Need of Some Ideas? How About…

• Start a compost pile. Here’s a simple recipe to get your compost pile started:
  
  

  Starting your very own compost pile: 3 Parts Brown 2 Parts Green A Dash of Soil 1) Mix ingredients into bin or pile 2) Keep moist but not wet 3) Stir ingredients occasionally Browns – Carbon Source Dry leaves, sawdust Chipped brush, twigs Dry gras Greens – Nitrogen Source Fresh grass clippings Garden and shrubbery trimmings Young weeds If pile does not warm up within one week, add additional green materials; mix thoroughly and re-moisten. If undesirable odors occur, add more brown materials and mix thoroughly. Apply finished compost to garden soil. (This recipe courtesy of West Central Solid Waste District http://www.westcentralswd.com/.)

  
  
• Plant some trees. http://www.arborday.org/trees/NineNum8.html
• Plant a garden.
• Plant a butterfly garden. http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef006.htm
• Clean up graffiti. Contact your local home or lumber store to learn of the best ways for removing graffiti from specific surfaces.
• Build an outdoor environmental lab and take the classroom outside. Collaborate with an area park department or nature center to provide optimal environmental education. Include a wet lab and let students study specimens they collect from the outdoors.
• Conduct an environmental audit of your school. Click here to get a copy of an On-Site Assessment form to help complete your audit.
• Implement a recycling program at your school. Click here to get a Top Ten List for starting your school’s program.
• Establish an Environmental Pledge for your school.
• Design a brochure to take home to parents on energy efficiency, composting, household hazardous waste, recycling or endangered species.
• Adopt a highway. Contact your state’s Department of Transportation to learn more.
• Join in a river sweep. Contact your state’s Department of Natural Resources to find river sweep events in your area.
• Plan an Earth Day carnival. If you’re wondering what kind of activities you could have at an Earth Day Carnival, check out the following:
  
  

  How about arts and crafts? Click on the crafts below to get detailed instructions on how to make. Also, visit our Trash to Treasure section under Fun N’ Games for more craft ideas. Birdfeeders Money Bank Potato Prints Mr. Hairy – the Grasshead Gift Bags Gift Tags Leaf Printing How about Games? These games can be made with a few simple household products. If you don’t have the exact items listed here, don’t worry. You can make game materials a number of different ways … just use your creativity and imagination. Bowling - Use any ordinary ball. Two-liter bottles filled with some kitty litter or sand can be used as bowling pins. Miniature Golf - Create a miniature golf course. Use small balls, recycled cans for the holes, and egg cartons, boxes and paint to set your course’s theme. Twister® - Make your own Twister game with a drop cloth, some paint and paper cards made into a spinning dial. Beanbag Toss - Use existing beanbags or create your own cloth bags filled with beans. Use cardboard and paint to create your own style of playing board.

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