Happy spring! It's time to celebrate Earth Day! Officially observed on April 22nd, Earth Day's "mission" is to call attention to the environment -- to educate and remind us to be kind to Mother Earth for our own sake as well as that of future generations. The first Earth Day in America took place in 1970 and had the support of former Sen. Gaylord Nelson as its co-founder. On an international level, Earth Day is recognized by the ringing of the United Nations peace bell and then followed by a minute of silence. So what's the buzz for local opportunities? Take a look:
- Ogden Nature Center: "tons of earth-friendly ideas, booths, workshops, and activities."
http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/component/content/article/44/135-earth-...
- A Billion Acts of Green -- sponsored by the Earth Day Network:
http://act.earthday.org/events/search/distance/36114
Recent acts include riding a bike vs. driving, using solar panels and eating more locally grown food.
- Official Site of U.S. Air Force -- Earth Day News and Information
http://www.af.mil/earthday.asp
- Recycling Coalition of Utah: All About Recycling -- Where Can I Recycle? -- Electronic Waste
Materials that end up in the gutter can enter the storm drain system, not the sewer system. The water from the storm water system is not treated and goes directly into our rivers, streams and lakes.
http://www.co.davis.ut.us/public_works/storm_water_coalition/default.cfm
- Hill Air Force Base is celebrating its 19th consecutive year as a designated member of the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program. The Air Force is one of the nation's top purchasers of green power and its use of renewable energy ranks No. 1 in the Department of Defense, No. 2 in the federal government, and No. 15 among 1,300 Green Power Partners. Here at Hill we can all give ourselves a big round of kudos for winning the 2011 "best in the Air Force" with the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental awards for Restoration and Sustainability which according to Col Sarah Zabel, 75th Air Base Wing commander, demonstrates that "every day is Earth Day at Hill AFB!"
- Elementary school outreach events will include archeology crafts and activities, an entomology presentation -- sort of a "bug's eye view," and an energy exhibit. Natural Resources personnel will spearhead a Pond 3 volunteer clean-up project which will address the wind storm damage from last December by planting trees and removing debris as well as routine trail maintenance. So, mark your calendars to come participate in Hill AFB's Earth Day events scheduled for May 10 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Pond 3 and the Tree City USA ceremony with Col. Zabel May 14 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Centennial Park. For questions regarding Earth Day activities, please contact Jo Proctor at jo.proctor@hill.af.mil.
