Earth Day events have rich local history

In the 1960s, Americans were seeing environmental photos that sent a mixed message. The Apollo 8 astronauts took a now iconic photo of the Earth rising above the surface of the moon. The photo, now titled “Earth Rise” showed our beautiful blue and white planet in the black expanses of space contrasted with the lifeless grey surface of the moon.

On the other hand, photos down on Earth’s surface showed that we had some big environmental problems.

The public saw photos of smog and air pollution that blanketed some cities, oil spills that fowled beaches, and fish kills that extended for miles in some polluted rivers. But the most memorable photo was of a river on fire! People wondered, “Were we caring for our spaceship Earth?”

South Dakota had its own pollution stories in the 1960s. East River, the Big Sioux made Time Magazine’s “polluted rivers list,” and West River, mine drainage rendered Whitewood Creek lifeless.

History of Earth Day
The cliché goes “When the people lead, the leaders follow.” That cliché came true in 1970. A nationwide, peaceful demonstration for a cleaner environment was called Earth Day. Twenty million Americans used that day as a forum to express concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air.

In the turbulent 60s, colleges and universities held “teach-ins” instead of protests and demonstrations.

Earth Day was supposed to be a day when teachers talked to their students about conservation. However, the idea really grew legs.
Earth Day was a spontaneous response at the grassroots level, and soon the politicians got the message and approved a national environmental policy for the first time.

Yes, the words of the NEPA are idealistic but this was the first time that our Nation was moved to declare a goal of “harmony between man and the environment.” In the ensuing years, we would learn that the “devil is in the details,” but today, most people (even skeptics) say that the environmental regulations and policies did some good.

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The USA Earth day idea has gone global. This year, Earth Day will be observed in 192 countries and with over one billion people expected to participate. https://www.earthday.org/.

Earth Day Sunday
Eco-theologian Thomas Berry used the Earth Rise photo to craft an analogy. He said “If humans were to live on the moon, with its barren, lifeless, and dusty surface, our “imagination” would become similarly barren. In contrast, Earth is a “magic planet” and a “communion of subjects,” which stimulates creativity through its rich, chaotic ecological variety.”

In the years after the first Earth Day, natural resource conservation programs waxed and waned as politics, education and industry had their say. But, there was one great institution that was not at the environmental table. Religious groups were absent, despite the fact that their teachings had a lot to say about our responsibilities for tending what they called “God’s Garden.” Clergy began to link environmental issues with decadence and with justice.

The National Council of Churches’ Eco-Justice Program has been cheerleading for Earth Day Sunday for a decade or so (http://www.nccecojustice.org/earthday/). Earth Day Sunday is a small example of the “greening of religion.”

All religions have some sort of earth stewardship teaching, and most denominations have made statements supporting “Creation Care.” http://greenfaith.org/religious-teachings

In Brookings County
Brookings has had Earth Day observances that were truly grand, and some years not so much.

Actually, the whole month of April is a busy month for conservation events. This year, out at Oakwood State Park on Earth Day, the Park will host a 1.5-mile hike and litter pick-up from 6 – 7 PM, starting at the Welcome Center. Park Rangers say “leave our natural spaces cleaner than we found them.” Door Prizes will follow the hike.

Oakwood and Poinsett State Parks are hosting Run for the Trees — Happy Little 5K (recall artist Bob Ross and his happy little trees?) on April 18th to walk/run a 5K while supporting tree planting and forest protection. Register ($36) online runsignup.com/happylittletrees. Entrants get a T-shirt, sticker, commemorative bib number and finisher’s medal.

The Brookings Wildlife Federation reminded people about National Wildlife Week, April 6-12 as a time to step outside and be mindful of Nature’s wonders. National Wildlife Week was founded in 1938 by the National Wildlife Federation, and is the longest-running conservation education program in the U.S. (https://www.nwf.org/)

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Arbor Day is often mixed with Earth Day, just two days apart. The Prairie Striders Running Club are known for their Arbor Day 5K, this year co-sponsored by Dakota Nature Park and the Brookings Arbor Day Committee The run/walk event is in memory of Brookings’ “Friend of Trees,” Kay Cheever.

The Brookings Conservation District sponsors Stewardship Week from April 25 – May 1. The District’s goal is to remind us of our responsibilities to care for soil and water resources upon which we depend. The District’s website has free materials tailored to any group (schools, conservation organizations, churches). https://www.nacdnet.org/news-and-events/stewardship week/.

Today’s busy life style has separated us from Nature. Some say that this separation has led to thinking of Nature as an object to be controlled rather than a “communion of subjects” that includes humanity.

The Brookings Wildlife Federation members say “Make your own Earth Day by visiting Brookings crown jewel for urban wildlife -Dakota Nature Park.” Walk the paths through forest and prairie, beside the ponds, and be mindful of the gift. And if you don’t know it, this place use to be the city dump! But that story is for another time.