Learn About Earth Day
Earth Day was created promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. It was founded by former US Senator Gaylord Nelson, of Wisconsin, in April 1970, and modeled on the 60s-era teach-ins, which were meant to be practical, participatory and oriented toward action. In its first two decades, Earth Day was observed only in the US, but beginning in 1990, it went international, with events held in more than 140 different countries around the world. Observed annually on April 22, approximately 175 countries currently celebrate the environmental event, planning a myriad of cleanups, educational seminars, and eco-friendly community events. Check out 10 easy ways to celebrate Earth Day, courtesy of Keep America Beautiful.
KTB affiliates all across the state are rallying their community members to observe Earth Day. Below is just a sampling of events that occurred in 2011:
A Keep Austin Beautiful grant winner, Hostelling International, hosted an Earth Day event in partnership with KAB on April 22. The all-day event included lake side and trail trash pick-up, planting a spring/summer garden, community art project, kid’s activities, food, and more.
Keep Brazos Beautiful hosted an Earth Day event on April 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The family-friendly event featured dozens of local vendors offering an array of green services, along with a kid’s zone, free refreshments and more!
Fort Hood opened their gates once again for its 2011 Earth Fest on April 29. The event is an annual favorite and Keep Killeen Beautiful was on hand to educate local citizens on their organization. The event featured an array of events, including live music, nearly 40 different environmental exhibits, arts and crafts, games, food and a petting zoo.
The city of Plano, in conjuction with Keep Plano Beautiful, hosted its annual Live Green Expo on April 16, a free family event. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the event featured an eco-fashion show, green art swap, a variety of environmental demonstrations, such as urban gardening and water conservation, educational sessions and exhibits, children’s activities and a DIY demonstration room, among other things.
Keep Arlington Beautiful supported a variety of park and creek cleanups all over the city, and hundreds of volunteers from The University of Texas at Arlington were on hand. In addition, the River Legacy Foundation hosted EARTH DAY 2011 at the city’s River Legacy Park, which featured guest speakers from Master Composters and Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation, EnviroScape demonstrations, eco-friendly displays and a variety of children’s activities. The Friends of O.S. Gray Natural Area also hosted another trailblazing day.
Keep Moulton Beautiful sponsored Moulton Elementary School students as they participated in the Earth Day Grocery Bag Project, an environmental awareness project in which students decorate paper grocery bags with environmental messages for Earth Day. The decorated grocery bags were judged and distributed to local stores for use in bagging consumer purchases. Winners of each grade won a $10 gift certificate to Moulton Grocery & Market.
Keep Allen Beautiful had a full calendar throughout much of April. On April 2, the group participated in EarthFest 2011, a locally organized event. More than 600 people enjoyed a spring outing at the Connemara Conservancy, which features hiking trails and a expansive meadow. Attendees visited booths manned by non-profit organizations that encourage outdoor activities, including: Olson Elementary Ecoliteracy Club, The Mad Scientist, Norton Ecoliteracy Club, Allen Garden Club, Water Conservation Division, Recreation E. Inc, the WilderWild Boyz, The Heard Museum and the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Moreover, Texas Master Naturalists conducted walks through the meadow, educating the participants on the ecosystem of the forest and meadow. KAB sponsored Earthfest this year, along with a creek cleanup along the banks of Rowlett Creek; 50 volunteers turned out to collect litter, filling 30 large trash bags and collecting everything from a 55-gallon drum to a myriad of automobile parts.
On April 30, KAB and the city of Allen held its Great American Cleanup event, Collin County’s largest trash off and recycle event. The city accepted electronics, appliances, clothing and shoes, furniture, cell phones, eyeglasses, and much more, all of which was recycled and diverted from landfills. Paper shredding and medication disposal services were also be available.
Earth Day was created promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. It was founded by former US Senator Gaylord Nelson, of Wisconsin, in April 1970, and modeled on the 60s-era teach-ins, which were meant to be practical, participatory and oriented toward action. In its first two decades, Earth Day was observed only in the US, but beginning in 1990, it went international, with events held in more than 140 different countries around the world. Observed annually on April 22, approximately 175 countries currently celebrate the environmental event, planning a myriad of cleanups, educational seminars, and eco-friendly community events. Check out 10 easy ways to celebrate Earth Day, courtesy of Keep America Beautiful.KTB affiliates all across the state are rallying their community members to observe Earth Day. Below is just a sampling of events that occurred in 2011:
A Keep Austin Beautiful grant winner, Hostelling International, hosted an Earth Day event in partnership with KAB on April 22. The all-day event included lake side and trail trash pick-up, planting a spring/summer garden, community art project, kid’s activities, food, and more.
Keep Brazos Beautiful hosted an Earth Day event on April 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The family-friendly event featured dozens of local vendors offering an array of green services, along with a kid’s zone, free refreshments and more!
Fort Hood opened their gates once again for its 2011 Earth Fest on April 29. The event is an annual favorite and Keep Killeen Beautiful was on hand to educate local citizens on their organization. The event featured an array of events, including live music, nearly 40 different environmental exhibits, arts and crafts, games, food and a petting zoo.
The city of Plano, in conjuction with Keep Plano Beautiful, hosted its annual Live Green Expo on April 16, a free family event. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the event featured an eco-fashion show, green art swap, a variety of environmental demonstrations, such as urban gardening and water conservation, educational sessions and exhibits, children’s activities and a DIY demonstration room, among other things.
Keep Arlington Beautiful supported a variety of park and creek cleanups all over the city, and hundreds of volunteers from The University of Texas at Arlington were on hand. In addition, the River Legacy Foundation hosted EARTH DAY 2011 at the city’s River Legacy Park, which featured guest speakers from Master Composters and Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation, EnviroScape demonstrations, eco-friendly displays and a variety of children’s activities. The Friends of O.S. Gray Natural Area also hosted another trailblazing day.
Keep Moulton Beautiful sponsored Moulton Elementary School students as they participated in the Earth Day Grocery Bag Project, an environmental awareness project in which students decorate paper grocery bags with environmental messages for Earth Day. The decorated grocery bags were judged and distributed to local stores for use in bagging consumer purchases. Winners of each grade won a $10 gift certificate to Moulton Grocery & Market.
Keep Allen Beautiful had a full calendar throughout much of April. On April 2, the group participated in EarthFest 2011, a locally organized event. More than 600 people enjoyed a spring outing at the Connemara Conservancy, which features hiking trails and a expansive meadow. Attendees visited booths manned by non-profit organizations that encourage outdoor activities, including: Olson Elementary Ecoliteracy Club, The Mad Scientist, Norton Ecoliteracy Club, Allen Garden Club, Water Conservation Division, Recreation E. Inc, the WilderWild Boyz, The Heard Museum and the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. Moreover, Texas Master Naturalists conducted walks through the meadow, educating the participants on the ecosystem of the forest and meadow. KAB sponsored Earthfest this year, along with a creek cleanup along the banks of Rowlett Creek; 50 volunteers turned out to collect litter, filling 30 large trash bags and collecting everything from a 55-gallon drum to a myriad of automobile parts.
On April 30, KAB and the city of Allen held its Great American Cleanup event, Collin County’s largest trash off and recycle event. The city accepted electronics, appliances, clothing and shoes, furniture, cell phones, eyeglasses, and much more, all of which was recycled and diverted from landfills. Paper shredding and medication disposal services were also be available.
