Did you know that Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, is the largest secular observance in the world? What began as a day of environmental preservation and education in the U.S. is now a global commitment to pledge support for environmental protection around the world!
On April 22, 1970, the United States celebrated the first Earth Day. Earth Day 1970 gave a voice to an emerging public consciousness about the state of our planet. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on the first Earth Day, rallies were held in Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and most other American cities. During this time, only a small fraction of the American population was aware of the effects of environmental threats facing our planet and its inhabitants.
It may be hard to believe, but before Earth Day 1970, no substantial legal or regulatory systems existed to protect our environment. The EPA was founded on December 2, 1970. Shortly after we began to see the creation of these systems such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.
Year after year, this day inspires us to not only continue raising awareness about the state of our planet but to act to protect it for future for generations to come.
This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, and there is no shortage of ways to celebrate. Here are just a few:
April 17, 2021, 4 pm – 5:45 pm (online)
Denver Permaculture Guild is hosting a workshop featuring Michael Alcazar, who explores the shifting patterns and adaptations to climate change from an indigenous permaculturalist perspective.
April 17 & 24, 2021 (in-person)
Tree-Plenish is working with ten schools throughout Denver and beyond to host tree-planting events. Student eco-clubs are coordinating the events, which plant trees at homes in their communities. Contact the individual school to volunteer to help plant trees on April 17 or April 24. Can’t volunteer? Donate $5 to help plant a tree.
April 17-24, 2021 (online)
Green Team Academy invites one and all to the 3rd Annual Earth Week Summit. Get in on live workshops to show you how to turn your idea for an eco-initiative into action in 90 days. Join happy hours and a month-long pop-up group for networking and collaboration. Help meet the 1000-tree goal with Mabinju Power House Youth Group in Kenya.
April 22, 2021, 9 am – sunset (in-person)
Visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary to help Mother Earth, and the animals and humans that inhabit this wonderful planet! Plan to celebrate your “Wild Earth Day” with more than 520 of the wildest friends you could ever have! The sanctuary and its supporters care for rescued wildlife by giving them a place to be wild again. Bring a tree for free admission.
Earth Week April 17 - April 25 The Alliance Center is offering a cornucopia of workshops, celebrations, screenings, and resources throughout Earth Week. There will be documentaries about waste diversion, political calls to action, conversations about climate change, discussions about food systems and agriculture, arts and culture activities, crafts, cooking projects, and more. Head to the Alliance Center website for a day-by-day breakdown of both entertaining and educational opportunities.
April 30 – May 9 (online)
Join the 2021 City Nature Challenge and compete against more than 250 cities around the world to see which can document the most wild nature in only 4 days! This challenge is organized locally by Denver Audubon, Denver Botanic Gardens, Metro Denver Nature Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and the WILD Foundation.
Priscilla Zavala | Director of Administration & Special Projects
Priscilla received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning & Public Affairs from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has more than nine years’ experience working with non-profit organizations in the U.S. and abroad focusing on community development and social and environmental change in Costa Rica.