Happy Earth Day!

Hard to believe but true - it's been more than half a century since the very first Earth Day. Originally announced on April 22, 1970, this day of environmental awareness and action has grown from a speech delivered by a United States senator in Denver, Colorado to an annual global event, encompassing more than 190 countries and over 1 billion individuals. With the purpose of educating people, communities, corporations, and governments to take positive steps to promote, protect and preserve the planet's natural resources, Earth Day draws attention to issues such as conservation, pollution, climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. 

Environmental challenges have changed since 1970 as more people have become aware of environmental issues and taken action. Ozone layer recovery and acid rain reduction, for example, are two areas that have shown marked improvements. Incentives to develop solar and wind power, plastics recycling, and innovative waste management techniques are other ways governments and industries have taken action to help combat climate change.

Perhaps, the greatest change is the growing awareness by individuals and communities, not only of the scale of the environmental issues we all are facing, but that everyone and anyone can contribute to solutions. That's where Earth Day comes in.

This Earth Day, in celebration of its 55th anniversary, resolve to learn the facts, spread awareness, and take one positive step to help the planet be a better place to live. This participation can take many forms, from planting a tree to talking to a friend or neighbor about food waste. Other ways to become involved:

Attend a local event

• Earth Day Service Opportunity: 10 am to noon Tuesday, April 22 at Pacific Park in Vancouver. Register in advance.

• 2025 Watershed Alliance Film Series: Water for Life: 4:30 to 7 pm Tuesday, April 22 at Vancouver Community Library.

• Protecting Our Pollinators from the Effects of Climate Change Workshop: Noon Tuesday, April 22 at the Port of Camas-Washougal.
• Volunteer Stewardship at Salmon Creek: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Thursday, April 24 at Salmon Creek Greenway. Register in advance. 

• Home and Garden Idea Fair: 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27 at the Clark County Fairgrounds.
• Earth Day Celebration: 1 to 3 pm Saturday, April 26 at the Vancouver Mall. 
• Earth Day Rummage Re-sale: 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, April 26 at Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church
• City Nature Challenge, Burnt Bridge Creek Exploration: 10 am to noon Saturday, April 26 at Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway. Register in advance. 
• City Nature Challenge, Water Center Nature Trails: 2 to 4 pm Saturday, April 26 at the Water Resources Education Center. Register in advance. 
• Ivy Pull at Abrams Park: 9 am to noon Saturday, April 26 in Ridgefield.  

Small changes can have a big impact

 Educate yourself and learn the facts. The foundational organizer of Earth Day and the Earth Day movement has a number of informative fact sheets and reports about plastic pollution, conservation and biodiversity, and food and agriculture. 

Consider adding small changes which can make a big difference:

• Try out a better way to dispose of food waste by using a We Compost community hub.
• Learn to recycle responsibly by checking out the A-Z Directory.
• Donate or reuse old clothes rather than throwing them in the landfill.
• Switch to a plant-based meal once a week.
• Swap plastic water bottles for reusable ones.

• Take a reusable cup to your local coffee shop.

• Bike or walk to work, the store, the post office, or the library.
• Sign up for the Green Neighbors newsletter to find out more about what Clark County is doing every day to reduce, recycle, and reuse.

Be part of the solution. Make every day Earth Day.

By: Linda Frederiksen

Compost Recycler Class of 2025