Make every day Earth Day
The Macon-Bibb County community will soon be having our annual Earth Day celebration. On April 20, community groups, businesses and others involved with the conservation and sustainability of natural resources will come together in Tattnall Square Park.
This free event focused on the environment should have something for everyone.
The roots for the celebration that has eventually become Earth Day started with former Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson in 1962. The lack of emphasis on environmental issues in national politics troubled him and he began to devise a plan.
President John F. Kennedy led a five-day, 11-state conservation tour in September 1963. Although the tour didn't garner the attention on the national political agenda he had hoped for, Nelson pushed forward.
For years, the evidence of environmental degradation was apparent. The public seemed to be taking notice, while the policy-makers did not. In 1969, as Nelson toured the West spreading his conservation message, he decided to harness the energy of the peaceful anti-war protests by organizing a grassroots protest about the environment.
When the event was announced, by today's standards, we'd consider it "viral." Word spread and support quickly mounted. The response and interest was far more than Nelson ever imagined.
Twenty million demonstrators in thousands of schools and communities participated in the first Earth Day in 1970.
Even today, hearing the term "Earth Day," evokes the sense of taking care of the greater good. I think about the bigger picture and how my daily life, habits and routine impact my children's future. In Middle Georgia, we can celebrate our victories while realizing there is still much work to do.
As I mentioned, the local community will have our chance to celebrate the progress we've made on April 20. The festivities will coincide with the weekly Mulberry Market, which is organized by Community Health Works, and happens from 3-6 p.m. at Tattnall Square Park. There will be a variety of animals -- everything from miniature horses to rescue dogs to alpacas -- and even the return of the popular rescue show. Bibb County 4-H and Mercer University are partnering to offer a kid's zone full of activities to educate and entertain children.
There will be a variety of vendors from both the private and public sector who will be sharing information about recycling, energy conservation, trees, gardening, fitness and nutrition, the Ocmulgee River, fall-line geology and more. Raffles, music, demonstrations and other activities will keep the whole family engaged.
For more information about Macon-Bibb Earth Day 2016, search "Earth Day Macon" on Facebook. For more information about Earth Day including lesson plans, tips for green living and regulations, visit www.earthday.org or www.epa.gov/earthday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Master Gardener Spring Home and Garden Show: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. April 8 and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 9 in the Miller, Murphy, Howard Building at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry. Vendors from throughout the Southeast will have plants, garden tools, pottery, home accents and outdoor living accessories. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and free educational children's activities will be offered. Tickets are $5 at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free. Visit www.mgcg.org for more information.
Contact county Extension agent Karol Kelly at karolk@uga.edu.
This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Make every day Earth Day ."