Earth Day events in the Fox Valley
When Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for Earth Day, first held on April 22, 1970, was he worried about global warming? Did he think about recycling?
According to the Web site earthday.environlink.org, Nelson, who died in 2005, began pushing this idea back in 1962, as a way to get politicians to address environmental issues.
"Forty years ago was the height of American consumerism," said Pam Otto, nature programs manager at the St. Charles Park District. "A lot was done at the expense of the environment."
By 1970, due to unregulated industrial practices, rivers were catching on fire, forests were being leveled, pesticide use was rampant and unchecked, and more. The inaugural Earth Day observance certainly focused on combating pollution and destruction of the environment.
During his years as Senator (1963 - 1981), Nelson said he "continued to speak on environmental issues to a variety of audiences in some twenty-five states. All across the country, evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The environmental issue simply was not to be found on the nation's political agenda. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not."
Since Nelson's efforts got the ball rolling, many changes have been enacted: eight months after the first Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was created; the Clean Air Act was expanded in 1970 and again in 1977; the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 and 1980; and Congress established Superfund to clean up hazardous waste.
"There was a lot of push; a lot of focus, back then," Otto said. "Earth Day should be every day, but this annual event helps remind people this is our only planet, and we have to take care of it."
People are still concerned, and since the first official Earth Day celebration, grass-roots efforts have blossomed all across the country, in an effort to educate us and get us involved in helping not only our planet, but ourselves as well.
On the 40th annual Earth Day (coincidentally on April 22, once again) there are many events and activities in your communities. Take an opportunity to learn, share ideas, have fun, and whether it's on a local or a global level, help the planet.
Aurora and ElginThe Sierra Club will hold a Fox River Cleanup in two locations on April 24.Bring a refillable water bottle, and we suggest a hat, sturdy shoes and sunscreen. The club will provide gloves, bags, water and snacks. All participants will need to sign a waiver, and participants 17 and younger need a parent's signature.bull; Aurora: Meet at 9 a.m. at the Aurora Township parking lot at 80 North Broadway (Route 25) in Aurora. bull; Elgin: Meet at 9 a.m. in the Trout Park north parking lot, Duncan Avenue just below the I-90 bridge in Elgin. To register, e-mail Fran (fran.caffee@sierraclub.org), Cindy (cindy.skrukrud@sierraclub.org), or Marty (marty.mccormack@gmail.com). Walk-ups are welcome, too.Crystal LakeThe Environmental Defenders of McHenry County have partnered with McHenry County Conservation District for an Earth Day Celebration. This year is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and of the Defenders. The event will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at the Prairieview Education Center, 21112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake.The event is held both indoors and out and will take place rain or shine. The schedule includes:bull; Special performance by Green E - The Environmental Elvis at 1:30 p.m.bull; Live musicbull; Puppet shows at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.bull; Guided nature hikes at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.bull; Hands-on games, crafts and storytellingbull; Over 20 environmental exhibitors, including food and beverage vendors bull; Household recycling: A variety of items will be accepted for recycling including athletic shoes, batteries and computer monitors. Visit mcdef.org for details.ElburnSet foot along the winding paths through Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Naturalists will guide visitors of all ages through the woods and talk about connections with the natural world during a hike through what became the first Kane County Forest Preserve, back in 1926. "Earth Day is every day at the Forest Preserve District; that's what we're all about," said naturalist Valerie Blaine. "Every day of the year we are working to make the earth a better place. We are enhancing people's connections to the natural world." This free event is open to the public. Johnson's Mound is at 41W600 Hughes Road, Elburn. Reservations are requested; call (847) 741-8350.ElginWhat could be a more fitting than celebrating the opening of a new forest preserve on Earth Day? The public is invited to Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve, Kane County Forest Preserve District's newest addition. A grand opening celebration will take place from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 24 on the northwest side of the preserve, and then everyone can dig in the dirt as they help plant 6,000 oak trees. Fitchie Creek, a 373-acre property, has several entrances and parking lots. The main entrance is at 39W933 Russell Road, Elgin, and parking is also recommended at the adjacent Prairie View Grade School, 10N360 Nesler Road. Complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides will be on hand to shuttle visitors from one side of the preserve to the other on opening day.GenevaGeneva will host an Earth Day event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 17 in the parking lot of the Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. (Third and James). Everyone is invited to clean out the clutter and drop off paperwork, including confidential papers, to be shredded on-site at no charge. You may also bring electronics (computers, CDs and DVDs, televisions, radios, cameras, answering machines, and more) for recycling. A fee will be charged solely for television recycling. Local merchants will also be on hand with related information and products, "giving away things," said Stephanie Dawkins, assistant city administrator.North AuroraAt Red Oak Nature Preserve, located on Route 25, one mile north of Butterfield Road, participants of all ages will learn some creative ways to recycle an old classic and have fun at the same time. The event takes place 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 17."It will be kind of like a school fun fair," said preserve manager Jim Kenney. "We're asking everyone who comes to bring (up to) 12 rinsed aluminum cans." What will those cans be used for? How about a game of aluminum can bowling, or aluminum can stacking, or aluminum can minefield? There will even be an "unnature hike," where participants can stroll through the woods and find objects that don't belong there. "We're trying to be a little bit different," Kenney said. This event is free, open to the public, and no registration is required. It will be held rain or shine.Looking ahead to Arbor DayWhat better way to observe Arbor Day than to watch a professional tree climbing demonstration? Come to Lincoln Park in St. Charles at 4 p.m. Friday, April 30, for the annual Arbor Day program hosted by the City Tree Commission. Ben Deutsch, an arborist for the City of St. Charles, said the afternoon's celebration will include the Presenting of Colors, the presentation of awards to the City, free plants, and more. Children and adults will also receive awards for winning entries in this year's essay contest: "My Favorite Tree," and for winning the annual Earth Day coloring contest. Live music will be performed in the park, during the afternoon's event. Lincoln Park is at Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, on the west side of St. Charles. J. Sterling Morton (father of Morton Arboretum founder Joy Morton) came up for the idea of Arbor Day, which was first observed in 1872, in the treeless Nebraska prairie.True20001360Members of the Fox Valley Drum Circle including Jim Camasto of Naperville, Emily and Adam Mullen of Aurora, and Sam and Lissa Melton of Aurora collaborate inviting everyone to join and play any instrument at a 2008 Earth Day event at Campton Hills Park.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer, 208True