The mission of Earth Day is simple –To build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and planet. The execution is far more difficult.
Yet everything Earth Day has accomplished is truly amazing when you consider that the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, over a decade before the internet was even a concept, a handful of grassroots activists inspired a bipartisan movement of 20 million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — to take to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. According to the Earth Day website, “Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment.”
In 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage and paved the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
At the state level Catherine McCabe, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner shared, “I’m so excited to tell you that in celebration of New Jersey DEP 50th birthday and the 50th anniversary of America’s first Earth Day, we will be giving the gift of a Salem oak seedling to each of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities.”
With an eye toward the future, McCabe added, “In 50 years these trees will have removed over two million pounds of carbon dioxide from our air. They will conserve over 143 years’ worth of households electricity, and they will reduce the damaging effects of over 27 million gallons of stormwater and so much more.”
Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) will be partnering with Hopewell Valley municipalities to plant the special Salem Oak seedling at properties meaningful to each.
The adage, ‘Think Globally, Act Locally,’ suggests that positive changes we initiate in our own communities can ripple throughout the world.
Joe Lawver, Mayor of Pennington Borough said, “Earth Day reminds us that now is the time for us to individually and collectively take action to reduce our impact on our one and only home planet.”
In addition to the new Salem Oak seedling, Pennington Borough has big plans for more trees including the restoration of Howe’s Arboretum and a partnership with Tollgate Grammar to enhance outdoor learning.
As part of their ongoing beautification plans, Hopewell Township will plant their Salem Oak seedling in Woolsey Park. Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space has been maintaining the Woolsey trails. FoHVOS administered and The Watershed Institute sponsored the new Community Conservation meadow near the Public Works building.
“We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful valley with people who also value our open spaces, clean air, clean water and the many trails and parks which give us the opportunity to get outside to connect to nature,” said Kristin McLaughlin, Mayor of Hopewell Township, “We are also fortunate to have environmental partners like FOHVOS to help us steward these lands so our grandchildren can continue to enjoy them into the future. Take time on this 50th anniversary of Earth Day to get outside!”
Another earth-friendly activity that Hopewell Township and FoHVOS share is Clean Communities. On April 18th, individuals and groups meet at Public Works and are assigned areas throughout Hopewell Valley to clean. Time spent is rewarded by not only supporting a cleaner community, but also is compensated with money for a nonprofit organization on their choice. (They also receive a cool t-shirt.)
Hopewell Boro will plant their Salem Oak at Boro Park.
“Borough residents will not only be recognizing Earth Day but will be in the first day of the new plastic bag free Hopewell,” A great new beginning for our environment on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day” stated Paul Anzano, Mayor of Hopewell Borough.
In addition, on April 25th the Borough continues the celebration by inviting the community out to meet by the gazebo to celebrate with local nonprofit and community organizations. Hopewell Borough Councilman Ryan Kennedy, reminds visitors to do their part. “Please join me in thanking our many shops, antique stores, artisans and restaurants for their leadership by bringing your own reusable bag when you shop downtown Hopewell.”
No Earth Day celebration would be complete without participation from our youth. The students have helped plant trees and meadows at all schools and Tollgators will experience the Salem Oak seedlings first hand.
In addition, Superintendent of School Dr. Thomas Smith, shared, “I am really encouraged by interest our students have taken in environment and particularly by what we are doing in our schools. We have Green Teams in every school with agendas driven by our students. The decrease in waste in our cafeterias and classrooms is attributable to our students asking us to change our practices. On the high school level, our students are raising awareness about food packaging and the plastic flatware that is used by our food service provider.
More than ever young people are interested and concerned about the environment and their own carbon footprint. I am hopeful that they will continue to push us to make the world a better place.”
An excerpt of this article appears in April’s Hopewell Valley Neighbors magazine.