Earth Day: Invest in Our Planet

 

For the first time in its history, we are continuing the important theme for a second year. Invest In Our Planet. 

This year, we rally behind the theme “Invest In Our Planet”, which highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path toward a prosperous future. When we Invest In Our Planet together, we are supporting healthy, happy, and wealthy communities worldwide. Visit EARTHDAY.ORG to learn more and sign up for updates on our work.

Today Is Earth Day 2023

 

Everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable,

#InvestInOurPlanet. 

The Earth Day 2023 theme is focused on engaging the more than 1 billion people, governments, institutions, and businesses who participate in Earth Day to recognize our collective responsibility and help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous green economy for all. We are focused on reframing the conversation, accelerating action, and bringing everyone together to understand that this is within our reach if we work together.  

Whether you are taking action virtually or in person - you can join the largest environmental movement on Earth!

For more information on Earth Day 2023, the official theme, updates, and how to get involved, please visit: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/

Earth Day 2023 Is April 22

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2023 is Invest In Our Planet.

For information on things you can do this year, see earthday.org/earth-day-2023

RESOURCES
How To Do Earth Day 2023 Toolkit 
The Great Global Cleanup Toolkit

Some ways to celebrate Earth Day 2023 with events shared by the NJ Sierra Club.

Check their calendar for events this month and into the future.

April 19- Barnegat Bay Blitz Land Cleanup (Ocean Co.) 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
This is the 9th year that the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club is participating in the "Blitz" cleanup. We'll meet Lauren Keltos, NJDEP Team Captain Barnegat Township, at the Barnegat public launch area. From there we'll travel to areas identified in need of cleanup in the area. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

April 22- Earth Day Cleanup at Mercer County Park (Mercer Co.)
We will walk trails along Lake Mercer and the woods and fields. Today is the 53rd Anniversary of Earth Day. Join the NJ Sierra Club and enjoy the outdoors as we clean up litter. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Leashed dogs are welcome. There are facilities.

April 22- Earth Day Fair in Sparta
The Sparta Township Environmental Commission and Green Team will host an Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 22 at the Municipal Building located at 65 Main Street, Sparta, NJ. The fair will run from 11am to 3pm. The Skylands Group members will have a table at the event.

April 24- Raritan Valley & Central Jersey Spring hike, Davidson's Mill Pond Park
3-4 miles, easy pace. We begin at the yellow trail, a grassy/rocky section that includes narrow boardwalks over swampy areas. The forested blue trail has elevations, exposed roots to step over, and large stones for steps in some sections. 

April 29- Cattus Island County Park Nature Festival and Hike 10 a.m.
The park is celebrating 43 years of Connecting Community with Nature. The festival will have nature walks, kayak trips, live animal talks, music, and food vendors. We'll walk Pinelands woods trails, and the sandy trails around marshes, and along Silver Bays beaches while looking for Osprey in nesting platforms. Leashed dogs are welcome.

May 7- Raritan Valley Group Earth Day
Join the Raritan Valley Group for Earth Day celebrations, Sunday, May 7 from 11am - 3pm at North 3rd Avenue, between Raritan Avenue & Denison Street - The Earth Day event will be happening on one arm (N.3rd Ave) of the HP Street Fair.

April 22- Drive Electric Day Montclair 2023
See EVs, talk with EV drivers, hear about their experiences, and hear all the benefits of EVs. We'll have a variety of electric cars on display, as well as e-bikes, and even an electric school bus. We'll be just down the street from the Northeast Earth Coalition Earth Day celebration in Crane Park.

And on April 29- Drive Electric Earth Day Event at the Sussex County Mall on Hampton Road in Newton, NJ between 11am and 4pm to examine a display of electric vehicles (EVs). We are adjacent to the Newton Classic Car Show. EV owners and dealers will share their experiences with you in collaboration with the Central Jersey Electric Auto Association in order to highlight electric vehicles during Earth Week. Your host, Skylands Group, Sierra Club NJ Chapter will have information and handouts available.

April 23- Surfrider Jersey Shore Earth Day Celebration
Meet our staff, Anjuli, Taylor, and Jackie, who will be tabling with a membership raffle, Sierra Club merchandise, and trivia! The celebration will be held at the Whitechapel Projects at 15 2nd Ave. Long Branch NJ 07740.  There will be a beach cleanup from 10AM-12PM and then the celebration will begin at 1-5PM where there will be music, food, and beverages. Family friendly.

NJDEP's 50+2 Anniversary and Earth Day Celebration

 

Dept of Environmental Protection's 50+2 Anniversary

& Earth Day Celebration
by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

 Free event! Fun for the whole family.

Sat, April 23, 2022     10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EDT
Location: Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal 
1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

🌮 Food Trucks

🏸Lawn Games

🎤Education Programs

🎨 Face painting

🏃🏾‍♀️Slide/Obstacle Course

🏆 Giveaways

🐻 Smokey Bear

Register at www.eventbrite.com 

Native Tree Giveaway

 

UPDATE

The plant giveaway scheduled for April 22 and April 23 at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center had an overwhelming turnout on its first day and all plants were given away, and so the event for April 23 is canceled.

You can still find sapling giveaways throughout the state listed by counties at
njparksandforests.org/forest/...

Thanks to everyone who supported this event to improve our environment.

Happy Earth Day!

In celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Week, the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife is giving away native tree saplings to residents interested in supporting local flora and fauna in their yards. 

Pick up your saplings at the Route 46 parking lot at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center on Thursday and Friday, April 22 & April 23 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

They are offering up to 20 saplings per household. Saplings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each variety will be pre-packed in clusters of five. You may choose one pack of up to three varieties. Plants are for pick-up only. 

The Pequest Trout Hatchery is located at 605 Pequest Road, Oxford NJ 07863. Please come to the Route 46 entrance. 

Bring your own bags and please wear a mask. No alternate pick-up times will be available. For more information contact Liz at hofnod@dep.nj.gov 

Earth Day 2020 Is Earth Day #50

Today is Earth Day #50. I recall the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. I was a high school student and one of the 20 million Americans (10% of the U.S. population at the time) who took to the streets, met on school campuses and in hundreds of cities held events to demand a new way forward for our planet.

That first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.

The events this year will certainly be different because of the global pandemic and, sadly, because I just don't sense as great a concern for Earth day as in the past. 

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. Action on climate change is seen as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary and the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world.habitable.

There are some efforts to make Earth Day into a time for digital activities and education and that is good in his time of students learning digitally and at home. But for real change, we need to get out and make changes locally and think and act as best we can globally.

earthday.org/earth-day-2020

Earth Day 2020 Is Going Digital

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the National Park Service (NPS) will be highlighting earth sciences and stewardship of natural resources throughout April. National Park Week is April 18-26 this year.

With the Earth and its people ravaged by the COVID-19 virus pandemic this month and for an unknown amount of time in the future, the annual global celebration is going digital this year.

NPS parks, programs, and partners will be featuring online resources and things to do in your home or community. 

Check out the website at nps.gov/...npscelebrates/earth-day 

Earth Day is normally celebrated outdoors with big events, but this year education and celebrations may be in a backyard, neighborhood green space, or a big or small park.

Kids: Become a Junior Ranger

At this time, the NPS is taking extraordinary steps to implement the latest guidance from state and local authorities, which support the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's efforts to promote social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Find the latest information on the NPS response to COVID-19.

If you do choose to visit a park, check individual park websites for alerts and changes in operations and remember to follow CDC guidelines for social distancing and other ways to protect yourself and others. 

On social media, share your favorite national park photos, moments, or online resources such as Junior Ranger books or virtual ranger tours using #EarthDay and #FindYourPark

10 Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day

Image via www.bmwatlanticcity.com

Earth Day 2018

Next Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day 2018 and this year the day is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.

From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet.

If you have ever walked a beach in almost any part of the world, including our beloved Jersey Shore, you have seen evidence of plastic pollution.

I have written here about pollution in the air and water and on the ground, and plastic pollution actually affects all three area although its presence in water gets the most attention.

To look at it locally, consider micro-beads which cannot be filtered from household waste water by sewage treatment plants. Eventually, these very small pieces of plastic end up in the ocean.

Take this globally and you can look at the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" and the North Atlantic Garbage Patch (trash vortex). These two areas (and there are other areas too) are made primarily up of trash fragments ranging from a millimeter to the size of a pencil’s eraser.

The highest concentrations of plastic were found roughly from the latitude of Virginia to the latitude of Cuba. Scientists have gathered data from 22 years of surface net tows to map the North Atlantic garbage patch, which lies to the east of Bermuda. It is estimated that the average concentration of plastic in this area is about 4,000 pieces per square mile, though it is as high as 250,000 pieces per square mile in some places.

The size of the Atlantic trash vortex compares in size to the area of France. This micro/fine trash, poisons fish and marine mammal and kills seabirds.

We know that balloons and plastic bags and larger pieces of plastic are also floating out there and are a danger, but the micro-beads are easily swallows along with other food and water and clog the guts of creatures with indigestible beads that make them unable to eat and so they starve to death.

The Great Pacific garbage patch (also described as the Pacific trash vortex) is a gyre of marine debris particles in the central North Pacific Ocean discovered between 1985 and 1988. The patch extends over an indeterminate area of widely varying range depending on the degree of plastic concentration used to define the affected area.

These patches include concentrations of plastic, chemical sludge, and other debris that have been trapped by the currents of the North Pacific Gyre. It has a low density and so it can't really be detected by satellite imagery, or even by casual boaters or divers in the area. The suspended, often microscopic, particles are in the upper water column.

But that probably sounds far away from you and your daily life.

The EarthDay.org website offers three paths to get involved in the pollution that exists in your neighborhood.

1. Individual: learn and act to End Plastic Pollution for yourself and your close communities.
2. Organization: organize for Earth Day and beyond.
3. Educator: resources to teach and help others organize to End Plastic Pollution in your school or university.

Earth Day 2017 and the March for Science

Tomorrow, APRIL 22, is Earth Day.

2020 will mark the 50th Anniversary of this annual event that was first celebrated in 1970. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world through education, public policy, and consumer campaigns.

I recall the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. I was in high school and the events I saw had a "hippie" feel, but 20 million Americans from all walks of life participated and the day is viewed as launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.

In 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage.

Some of the Trump Administration's objectives and views are certainly part of the reason that this year Earth Day will also be the March for Science, a rally and teach-in on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Science isn’t Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative. Indeed, threats to science are pervasive throughout governments around the world.

There will also be local events for Earth Day and the March for Science. The New Jersey March for Science is a satellite march that will meet outside the Trenton War Memorial in Trenton, on April 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. The march will be approximately a half mile to the State House Annex where a short list of speakers will give a call to action.

In the nation's capital, the day’s program will include speeches and trainings with scientists and civic organizers, musical performances, and a march through the streets of Washington, D.C. The crowd will gather at 8:00am, and the teach-in will begin at 09:00am.

Science serves all of us and its ties to the Earth and environment are many. Science is how we protect our air and water, preserve our planet, save lives with medical treatments, create new industries, puts food on our tables, educate the next generation, and safeguard our future.

Celebrating Earth Day in New Jersey

Earth Day - Friday, April 22 - is a great way to show appreciation for the Earth. This one special day is more important than ever because learning about the environmental dangers that face our home is ever increasingly crucial to the planet's and our own well being.

Via freeholddodge.net we get these 6 suggestions for ways to celebrate Earth Day around Monmouth County, NJ.

What's happening in your area?  Add a comment to this post!

The Bayshore Waterfront Park at Port Monmouth is a great way to learn about marine life and beach restoration. You and your family can tour the park and witness the wildlife that dwells on the beach. You can even participate in an interactive show and tell program.

Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown offers a beautiful landscape of vast gardens that you can walk through and enjoy. It's here that you can learn the tricks of the trade so that you can improve your home garden, and make your thumb a little greener. For family fun, Deep Cut Gardens offers scavenger hunts on its 54 acres.

Huber Woods Environmental Center in Locust offers a variety of activities that would be perfect for Earth Day. Your little ones can learn more about the Lenape tribe, the natives who used to dwell in the area before it was settled by European colonists. They can play Native American instruments, try basket weaving and participate in the maize game.

The Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, located in Howell, is hosting an event called "Celebrate Earth Hour" on March 19th at 8 p.m. This no-flashlight event offers games, night hikes, crafts and treats for you and your whole family. At the end of this event, participants are encouraged to enjoy the vast sky that will be better observed because of the lack of light pollution.

Thompson Park in Lincroft encourages getting dirty. What they mean is that children should run around outside and enjoy the flora and fauna. This 667 acre park offers various activities that are perfect for you and your family including tennis courts and winding paths that are great for hikes.

Turkey Swamp Park, located in Freehold, is a great place to take the family for the weekend. This park features a 2,261 acre wooded park that is perfect for camping. Build a fire, go fishing and enjoy the beautiful sight of nature with your family. You can even go swimming in the 17-acre lake.

Earth Day 2013

 Monday, April 22 is Earth Day. This year, Earth Day's theme is The Face of Climate Change.

The first Earth Day was on April 22 in 1970. That day got 20 million Americans thinking about doing something to help the Earth and launched the modern environmental movement.

The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.

Growing out of the first Earth Day, the Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Climate change can seem like a remote problem for our leaders, but the fact is that it's already impacting real people, animals, and beloved places. These Faces of Climate Change are multiplying every day. Fortunately, other Faces of Climate Change are multiplying too: those stepping up to do something about it. Help us personalize the massive challenge climate change presents by taking a photo and telling your story. How has climate change impacted you? What are you doing to be part of the solution?

Happy Earth Day

Today is Earth Day!

Celebrated since 1970, the Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

This year's Earth Day's theme is A Billion Acts of Green, a people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio +20.

Earth Day 2011

This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. This year, Earth Day's theme is A Billion Acts of Green, a people-powered campaign to generate a billion acts of environmental service and advocacy before Rio +20.

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.

Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

PBS Teacher Materials for Earth Day

PBS IN EDUCATION has teacher materials to help celebrate Earth Day.

PBS Teachers offers an Earth Day Activity Pack http://www.pbs.org/teachers/activitypacks/science/earthday/ for educators to use in the classroom or to post on their classroom, school or favorite social networking Web sites.

The Activity Pack is designed for multiple grade levels and contains links to Earth Day-themed education resources and activities from PBS to support environmental awareness.

Also check out the PBS Teachers STEM Education Resource Center http://www.pbs.org/teachers/stem/, which contains science, technology, engineering and math educator resources including an online video collection that explores some of their iconic STEM related content for preK-12 educators.

Earth Day #40 is April 22

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. Will
2010 be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs?

The Earth Day Network is trying to galvanize millions to make personal commitments to sustainability.

Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy.

You can join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day. Your actions don't have to be big or gobal or political.

Some personal pledges on the Earth day website include simple things like:

• I will collect plastic bottles when I see them on the ground and recyle them.
• Stop using plastic water bottles and get your water from the tap and carry it in a reusable bottle.
• Go out on your own or with friends & family and pick up garbage around your community for 3 hours.

If you think it's time to stop protecting polluters and enact comprehensive climate legislation that will create American jobs, cap carbon emissions and secure our nation’s future, then look at next Sunday, April 25, when Earth Day Network will organize a massive climate rally on The National Mall to demand Congress pass strong legislation.

The Climate Rally will include notable speakers Reverend Jesse Jackson, film director, James Cameron, AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, Olympic gold medalist, Billy Demong, producer, Trudie Styler, author, Margaret Atwood, NFL player and television personality, Dhani Jones, environmental photographer Sebastian Copeland and many more.

The Climate Rally will also feature live music from Sting, John Legend, The Roots, Jimmy Cliff, Passion Pit, Bob Weir, Willie Colón, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, Patrick Stump, Mavis Staples, Booker T, Honor Society and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger.

The first Earth Day was a success because 20 million Americans demonstrated their outrage for the state of the environment. Climate change is only one of about a dozen core issues that Earth Day hopes to address, including conservation and biodiversity, clean water, green schools and environmental education.

FOR YOUNG READERS

It's Earth Day! (Little Critter)
Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
Earth Day: An Alphabet Book
Biscuit's Earth Day Celebration
Fancy Nancy: Every Day Is Earth Day (I Can Read Book 1)
Earth Day (Ready-to-Read. Level 1)
Dora Celebrates Earth Day!: Little Green Nickelodeon (Dora the Explorer)