Earth Day

 

How did Earth Day begin?

 

Founded by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day began its climb to the national forefront during the turbulent and revolutionary 1960’s. Although President Kennedy toured selected states in 1963 to spotlight national conservation, he was unable to place it on the national political agenda.

 

Senator Nelson did not give up on his cause, however, and neither did the American public.  Inspired by anti-Vietnam protest methods, Nelson and Earth Day co-founder Dennis Hayes publicized a national “environmental teach-in” to raise awareness and demonstrate collective activism. 

 

On April 22, 1970, twenty million concerned citizens sent a resounding message that grassroots efforts can effect change.  In fact, this first Earth Day demonstration led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.  

 

Thirty-eight years later, it is estimated that a billion people worldwide recognize Earth Day.  From Washington D.C. to the Galapagos Islands, motivated crowds gather to educate, brainstorm and inspire even more people to reduce, reuse, and recycle every day of the year.

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14th Annual Earth Day - 2010

Not Another Earth Day Article

Jane C. Martin

Given that there are at least one hundred and six national holidays on our calendar, it’s not surprising that Earth Day might get lost in the shuffle. Haven’t I always appreciated the environment? As a highly motivated South Georgia girl scout, I spent many formative years bogging in-- and floating around—Savannah’s “muddy” rivers, as well as trailblazing the neighborhood forests in search of pirates, U.F.O.’s or woods people who, might, with any luck, be observed burying my seventh grade report card (No such luck).

This appreciation allowed me to befriend boxer turtles and caterpillars. It also led me to discover many important truths about nature, such as one should not crush pine bark into your father’s tobacco paper and smoke it. Neither should anyone EVER ignite dry palm fronds to warm the wetlands. It’s just not that cold, folks.

Clearly, I may have needed an older brother; nonetheless, these memories are part of why the environment still holds the wonder and appeal it still does for me. I certainly never imagined those resources or environs could diminish, much less disappear. The focus in those days was more on appreciation and use, rather than on preservation and sustainability. Even then, however, the conservation movement had made strides. Now I recognize, with the rest of the nation, the official Earth Day--April 22-- as a day meant to celebrate and contemplate a world we all better understand.

Walking through Forsyth Park Saturday, I recalled the environment from which I sprang: a seemingly endless reserve of resources. I felt comforted walking among a group of people dedicated to the wide range of issues that go hand in hand with protecting, cleaning and conserving our planet. Hope grows alongside groups like YFACE (Youth For A Cleaner Environment), Girl Scouts, and Savannah High’s Greenhouse students.

Live music at the new Visitor’s Center made 2010’s Earth Day celebration even better for Downtowners. Plenty of great bicycles were on display, overshadowed, maybe, only by the dogs. What a great day for dogs and dog walkers and hoola-hoopers and sunbathers and shade nappers and organic food eaters and bike riders and recyclers and gardeners alike. It was surely a great day for me. Emerson says, “Nothing in nature is exhausted in its first use.” Does that mean I can use this article again next year?!


Suggested reading: Barnes & Noble at Oglethorpe Mall has these titles on display:
Organic Manifesto—How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, & Keep Us Safe, by Maria Rodale
Green Goes With Everything—Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and A Cleaner Planet, by Sloan Barnett
Do One Green Thing, by Mindy Pennybacker
The Story of Stuff—How Our Obsession With Stuff Is Trashing The Planet, Our Communities, And Our Health—And A Vision for Change, by Annie Leonard
What We Leave Behind—Historical analysis & prose--The root of sustainability: one being’s waste must always become another being’s food, by Derrick Jensen

Check out www.Earthday.org for answers to environmental questions you may not have known to ask even Al Gore!

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13th Annual Earth Day Festival largest in Georgia - 2009

Thousands of environmentally conscious citizens gathered in Forsyth Park on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day 2009. The weekend festival, held before the official Earth Day observance on April 22nd, was the largest community Earth Day event in Georgia.

The Earth Day Festival RecycleRama provided a recycling opportunity for many problematic items, such as paint. Participating citizens helped keep over 60,000 lbs of waste out of the landfill. Through a partnership with Ashland Chemicals, more than 5400 gallons of paint were diverted from our landfills and disposed of properly, an increase of 1200 gallons from last year. The City of Savannah's Recycling Department also collected 49lbs of recyclable waste from the event. But Earth Day can be every day--in addition to the City's curbside collection of standard recyclables, citizens who have more of these hard-to-recycle items can use the Web site www.Earth911.com to search for drop-off locations for specific materials.

Totals from RecycleRama are as follows: Ashland's paint recycling: 5460 gallons Lion's Club eye glass collection: 40 pairs of glasses and 30 cases Batteries Plus: 90 car batteries and 250 lbs of consumer batteries Hands on Savannah cell phones: 80 cell phones (20 phone increase) Keep Savannah Beautiful tire collection: 1200 tires (100 tire increase) Coastal Refining oil recycling: 250 gallons of used oil Structured Green furniture recycling: 1 pick-up load of furniture Goodwill: 1 ½ trucks of electronics

Working with the theme "be green, save green", 85 exhibitors demonstrated how even inexpensive changes, like the type of light bulb you use, can help the environment, while bigger investments in earth-friendly technology, like solar power, can save you money over time. The festival also highlighted wildlife and habitat conservation, waste recycling, water quality protection, and many other environmental efforts taking place throughout Chatham County. Free workshops taught attendees how to compost with worms, build a rain barrel, and make environmentalism a part of parenting.

Many exhibitors held raffles and the winners include: Shelly Lamont, UsBourne Books $50 gift certificate Gretchen Bateski, Norseman Plastics Systern Rain Barrel Charles Davis, Norseman Plastics Earth Machine Composter Jessica Farthing, Guy Boyd Plumbing and Sandpiper Supplies TOTO Dual-Flush Toilet Liz Hayes, Palm Key Resort kayak trip Mary Landers, Palm Key Resort kayak trip Richard Noble, City of Savannah worm composting bin & 1 lb of composting worms

Successful community events like this would not be possible without the enthusiastic support of the volunteers, attendees, and sponsors. The Earth Day Committee greatly appreciates the participation and hard work at this year's Earth Day Festival.

For more information, contact Environmental Affairs Administrator Laura Walker at 912-651-2221 or Environmental Planner Sarah Barlow at 912-651-6943.

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12th Annual Earth Day - 2008

View 2008 Photos

Savannah celebrated its 12th annual Earth Day on April 19, 2008 under cloudless skies at beautiful Forsyth Park. The theme for 2008, Local Action, Global Impact, reflects a growing trend in Savannah towards personal and professional eco-friendly choices.  

Area businesses, nonprofit groups and exhibitors were on hand to promote environmental services and nourish, entertain and provide information on everything from vermiculture (composting with worms) to bicycle consciousness.  Some of the participating organizations like The Humane Society and sponsors like GreenLifeSpace distributed environ-friendly tote bags, and Fortune Recycling Company gave away free t-shirts.  The City of Savannah Water and Sewer Bureau not only provided staff and funding for the festival, but also brought a water tank and dispensed water bottles to refill with the “award winning best tasting water in Georgia, 2006 and 2007.” Weyerhaeuser, a leader in the forest products industry, demonstrated the paper-making process and provided saplings for tree enthusiasts to take home.  Organic farm owner Michael Maddox of Southeastern Sustainable Community Project sold fresh greens to eager crowds strolling about the park.  (Visit official Savannah government Web site for full sponsorship list and more details)

 

Highlights of 2008 festivities:

 

RecycleRama—Door to door collection of recycled materials.

 

5K Run—Morning fun-run to support Chatham County 4-H.

 

Cajun Music—Vibrant Louisiana band Feufollet provided musical excitement.

 

Green Bistro—Local food vendors provided wide range of nourishment

 

Live Oak Exhibition Alley—Activities for children and giveaways to promote a greener lifestyle.

 

Live Reptile and Bird Exhibit

 

Farmer’s Market—Regional produce from area farms

 

Coast Guard Helicopter

 

Free Classes on kitchen composting

 

Savannah Wheelie Earth Day Inaugural Bike Ride--Leisurely bike ride with CoastalGeorgiaGreenway folks, Mayor Otis Johnson, Pete Liakakis and local enthusiasts.

 

Great sponsors, community activists, local offerings and a terrific turnout made Earth Day 2008 a fun and informative day for all.