The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970. It was the brainchild of a Wisconsin senator named Gaylord Nelson inspired both by the impacts of a 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara, California, and by the potency of the student anti-war movement.
On that day in 1970, millions of Americans and thousands of colleges joined together to participate in what is now considered by many historians to be the beginning of the modern environmentalism movement. Many believe that the public passion for Earth Day paved the way for the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Thirty-two years later, the concept still has the power to inspire youth.
“We’ve come a long ways in passing environmental regulations and doing things better since the first Earth Day. But we currently have seven billion people on the planet and more consuming more and more stuff every day,” said Aaron Miller, a Healdsburg High School junior. “We’re on an unsustainable path, and we need to celebrate Earth Day to bring this to the attention of the public.”
Miller is a member of the HHS Progressive Club, which sponsors an annual Earth Day celebration on the Healdsburg plaza. But the club members hope that the Earth Day message will reach across party lines to those who don’t necessarily label themselves ‘progressive’ — just as it did on that first Earth Day, when a Republican senator and a Democratic senator joined together to co-chair the event, paving the way for members of both parties to support the cause.
“As part of the Progressive Club, I don’t agree with all the encompassing views. But I believe that everyone should care about conserving the earth, across the political spectrium. So that’s why I think we should celebrate Earth Day,” said sophomore Esther Unti.
“I think it’s a valid issue, and it’s a fun thing to celebrate Earth Day. And not only is it fun, but it’s a great opportunity to learn about all these organizations that are not necessarily overt in our society.”
But it’s not just students who still believe in the power of Earth Day. Local governments and non-profits do, too. The Town of Windsor will be celebrating Earth Day on the Town Green for the fifth year.
“The whole idea is we see ourselves as being cutting edge in some of the trends in local government and communities. We are being green and looking at the environment, and how we can sustain water conservation, energy conservation, and how can we build buildings green — we have a whole green building ordinance,” said Donna Legge, Parks & Recreation Director for the Town of Windsor.
“I think it was two years ago we introduced the wellness portion of it. Because what’s the point of sustaining yourself if you don’t sustain yourself as an individual? We’re very excited because it’s an opportunity for education and a resource for residents of Windsor to learn more about what they can be doing to sustain the earth and sustain themselves too.”
Whether you are an environmental activist, someone interested in improving your own health, or just want to use Earth Day as a reason to get out and enjoy nature, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate and enjoy the earth this weekend. Landpaths, Sonoma County Parks, Sonoma Land Trust, the Town of Windsor, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, and the Healdsburg High School Progressive Club are all hosting events to inspire your inner earthling.
Enjoy the Earth
Earth Day festivities and nature hikes
Saturday, April 21
Healdsburg’s 10th Annual Earth Day Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the plaza
Presented by Healdsburg High School’s Progressive Club, the festival will include music, face painting, speakers, and local community, environmental and social justice groups. Expect to enjoy Hoytus and One Heart, Happy Accident, Hannah & Sky, The Hopheads, Tricky Dick & the Hooligans, Attila Nagy, Misael Chavez, Stare at the Sun, and the HHS Jazz Hounds. As well as popular music, the American Indian Movement’s Native Resistance Drum Group, Danza Azteca Xantotl, and Yo Yo Man will perform.
Earth Day & Birthday Part at the Environmental Discovery Center at Spring Lake Regional Park: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It’s the Discovery Center’s tenth birthday and Earth Day, and the center plans to celebrate in style. Guests will include some feathered and furry friends from local rescue groups. A marine scientist from UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory will help locals explore a tide pool full of live, touchable sea creatures. A professional storyteller will spin tales about natural wonders in the storytelling cavern. Naturalists will lead all-ages hikes to Spring Lake and Annadel State Park. Kids can get creative with eco-crafts and face painting. A food truck or two will stop by for lunch, or locals can bring a picnic and enjoy the park. See sonoma-county.org/parks/edc.htm for details.
Wildflower Walk, Steelhead Beach Regional Park, Forestville: 10 a.m. – noon.
Participants will explore the unique plants of this riparian park. The Earth Day appropriate topic of human activity and how it altered the plant mix at the park will be discussed. This is an easier hike in terms of elevation and distance covered, and it is free and open to the public. Parking is $6 or free with Regional Parks membership. For more information visit sonomacountyparks.org or call (707) 565-2041.
Tour of Plants and Wildflowers of Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Coast State Beach: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Participants will hike and explore the Pomo Trail and learn to identify wildflowers and coastal plants with Michelle Cooper of the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory. Registration and more details online. $5 for Stewards members, $15 for non-members. For more information visit stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org or call (707) 869-9177.
Sunday, April 22
Windsor’s 5th Annual Earth Day and Wellness Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Town of Windsor will celebrate Earth Day with free live music and entertainment, from the international sounds of Kazamoze and the acoustic music trio “Youkali,” to the Pomo Youth Dance Group. There will be children’s games and crafts, health and wellness information, a spring plant sale sponsored by the Windsor Garden Club, and free valet bicycle parking. The Earth Day celebration will also mark the first Windsor Farmers Market of the year.
Earth Day at Bayer Farm, Santa Rosa: 9 a.m. to noon.
Participants will work on seasonal garden and farm projects at Bayer Farm in honor of Earth Day. Perfect for those who need to complete community service, want to learn about gardening, or are just looking for a healthy outdoor activity. For more information visit landpaths.org or call (707) 544-7284, ext. 11.
Earth Day Wildflower Hike at Sonoma Land Trust’s Sears Point Ranch: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Participants will celebrate Earth Day with a wildflower hike led by Sonoma Land Trust’s Baylands program manager Julian Meisler. Hikers will identify flowers and learn about restoration plans for this 2,327-acre property bordering San Pablo Bay. Some sections of the off-trail route are especially rough with uneven footing, so participants are encouraged to wear sturdy hiking boots. This hike will move at a slower pace, but is not for inexperienced hikers. Pre-registration required at sonomalandtrust.org. For more information call (707) 544-5614, ext. 6.
