Fifty years ago, on April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate support for a healthy, sustainable environment during the nation’s first Earth Day celebration. In recent years, Earth Day has grown to be celebrated globally in more than 193 countries.
In 2020, Earth Day activities around the globe are going virtual.
Springfield Environmental Services will continue to celebrate the occasion by issuing a 12 Days of Earth Day virtual challenge and hosting a variety of offerings online via social media and at springfieldmo.gov/earthday.
“The 12 Days of Earth Day challenge is an opportunity for the community to join us in celebrating not only the 50th anniversary of Earth Day as a one-day event, but to recognize that EVERY DAY is Earth Day by participating in a series of fun daily activities,” explains Education Outreach Coordinator Laurie Duncan.
Daily challenges such as having a low-waste picnic with family, creating nature art in your yard and picking up litter in your neighborhood will be posted beginning Sunday, April 19 and continue through Thursday, April 30. Each day’s unique activity includes an opportunity for participants to track their points and to showcase their Earth Day efforts by posting to social media using #SGFEarthDay.
The City is continuing to coordinate with community partner agencies to assemble a full schedule of virtual Earth Day offerings, including classes, demonstrations, tree plantings, stream tours and more. Visit springfieldmo.gov/earthday for the full April 22 itinerary.
To join in the Earth Day 2020 celebration, follow Environmental Services on facebook at facebook.com/SGFEnvironmentalServices or visit springfieldmo.gov/earthday.