It's hard to accept that it's been 26 years since the first Earth Day in 1970. I was a student then at the University at Albany (New York), preparing an exhibit on saving the endangered Albany Pine Bush with my friends John Wolcott, Lou Ismay, Ann Dizard, and others. We were all young and idealistic, and while the years since have left their battlemarks, the level of consciousness about our planet has been raised, many problems solved, and we are moving forward in solving many of our current environmental problems.
Earth Day is a day to reflect as well as celebrate. Locally we celebrate with more than 2000 acres of endangered Pine Bush under protection. Almost every community has their success stories too.
If you want to participate in this year's activities, you can find out what is going on in your community by checking some of the sites listed below, or contacting your local environmental organization, or State department of environmental conservation.
Earth Day Central
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/earthday/earthday.htm
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, this page has an Earth Day calendar of events throughout the state; you can add your own as well. You can download a classroom certificate and Earth Day Pledge, ideas for Earth Day activities, and more.
Earth Day 96
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/EarthDay/edhome.html
This page links you to Earth Day Network (below), as well as Earthwatch 96, and other Earth Day pages (that appear to be 1995 links though).
Earth Day Network
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/EarthDay/ednethome.html
Carolyn Chase has been distributing material all year about Earth Day, and her site contains a wealth of material. Announcements, news, alerts, a newsletter, list of downloadable files, state-by-state events, and more are available. You can even find out where to get posters and other Earth Day products.
History of Earth Day
http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/edn/GNelson.html
For you younger readers, this is a history of Earth Day from Gaylord Nelson, former Senator, and originator of the First Earth Day.
1996 Earth Day State by State
http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/EarthDay/events/newevent2.html
This is a state-by-state listing of Earth Day activities, and is produced by the Earth Day Network. International events are also listed.
Earth Day Hawaii '96
http://www.aloha.net/~edh/
If you happen to be in Hawaii during Earth Day, check out this site for a calendar of events in Hawaii. Also on this page are links to other Earth Day sites on the mainland, including links to Dallas, New York, Michigan, Canada, California, and more.
Earth Day Organizers Guide
http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/edn/EDOG.html
If you want to organize your own event, check out this page. Gives event and activity ideas, how to work with volunteers and the media, how to raise money, and more.
Happy Birthday Earth!
© 1996 Don Rittner