The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He wanted to “get the nation to wake up and pay attention to the most important challenge the human species faces on the planet.” Designed as a day to sponsor “teach-ins” at college campuses across the nation, more than 20 million people gathered at colleges, schools, and communities to show their concern for the environment. Lawmakers were given notice: the people wanted clean water, clean air, protection for endangered species, and more. By December of that year, Congress had created the Environmental Protection Agency. Now, more than 55 years since Earth Day began, it feels more urgent than ever to pay attention and to give lawmakers notice.
Earth Day reminds us that everyone’s actions count, no matter how large or how small, and that our strength lies in collective action. I was fascinated by a recent article from the Associated Press. The AP looked at four everyday behaviors in the U.S., ranging from food and transportation to home energy and clothing, and asked: “What if just one in 10 Americans who currently eat beef, drive gasoline cars, heat their homes with natural gas or buy new clothes changed each of those habits?” After gathering data and doing some emissions calculations, the conclusion was impressive. In some cases, if just one person in ten made a change, it could save hundreds of billions of pounds of carbon pollution avoided each year.
For example, the AP says, “If 34.2 million people — or the equivalent of 1 in 10 Americans — bought a pair of secondhand jeans this year instead of new ones, it would avoid roughly 1.5 billion pounds (roughly 0.7 million metric tons) of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the emissions of about 150,000 gasoline cars.” Imagine if 5 in 10 Americans did that!
So small things do in fact add up. Every shirt you recycle, every piece of trash you pick and recycle, every letter you write to a lawmaker—it all matters. Here at Maine Audubon, (though we think every day is Earth Day) we’ll be celebrating and we invite you to join us at one or more of these events during the week around Earth Day. Help us do trail maintenance at Fields Pond, clean up trash at Scarborough Marsh, join a family program at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth, or visit our Coastal Birds team at a southern Maine beach.
Be sure you sign up for our Action Alerts to be informed about actions you can take.
FALMOUTH: Gilsland Farm Audubon Center
April 22, 10 am – 11:30am
Mother Earth says Witapehtipon! Let’s be Friends!
Join Wolastoqey (Maliseet) educator, author, poet, and artist Mihku Paul accompanied by Maine Audubon educators as we celebrate our Earth! We will come together for a trail walk, storytelling, art, and hands-on exploration. This event is best suited for children ages 3–9 and their families and will take place outdoors rain or shine.
Tickets >
HOLDEN: Fields Pond Audubon Center
April 18, 9 am – 12 pm
Give back to our planet by acting as a steward of Fields Pond Audubon Center! Volunteers will work in small teams to prepare the center for the busy summer season. Tasks could include trail stewardship, small construction projects, painting, tidying, and other tasks to beautify and maintain the sanctuary. Volunteers should bring work gloves (if possible, gloves will also be available to borrow) and water. Snacks will be provided.
Sign up >
SCARBOROUGH: Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center
April 25, 9 am – 12 pm
Join us for this Earth Day tradition to clean up the Scarborough marsh and beaches. Meet at the nature center; registration is helpful, but not required. Refreshments offered. Dress in layers, it can be cool near the marsh, and wear shoes/boots that you do not mind getting wet and muddy! Groups and companies are welcome. Co-sponsored by the Scarborough Land Trust, Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Scarborough community. Food will be collected for Project GRACE.
Let us know you’re coming >
AROUND THE STATE
OLD ORCHARD BEACH: Beach Cleanup
Saturday, April 18, 10 am-12 pm
Members of the Maine Audubon Coastal Birds Project team will be giving a short presentation on endangered Piping Plovers and the importance of protecting coastal habitats in advance of the Maine Conservation Alliance Earth Day Beach Cleanup done in partnership with Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. All are welcome. Park for free at the Milliken Street Parking Lot and walk about 0.5 miles south down the beach to meet in front of Palace Playland.
More info >
WELLS: Beach Cleanup
April 18, 9 am – 12 pm
Members of the Maine Audubon Coastal Birds Project team will be providing information about endangered Piping Plovers and the importance of protecting coastal habitats in advance of the Wells Beach Cleanup. Tabling takes place at Wells High School, 200 Sanford Road, from 9-10 am; the beach cleanup begins at 10 am. Volunteers will head out in groups to clean Wells Harbor, Wells Beach, and Drakes Island Beach. The event is hosted by the Wells Police Department. Beach lovers of all ages are welcome. Gloves and other supplies will be provided.
More info >
SOUTH PORTLAND: Earth Day Resource Fair
April 25, 10 am – 2 pm
The City of South Portland, the South Portland Land Trust, and Dirigo Science Connection host the second annual Earth Day Resource Fair at Mill Creek Park. Members of Maine Audubon’s native plants team will have a table with information about native plants.
Activities include a community mural, community clean-up, information from eco-focused community groups, music, food, and more.
More info >
PORTLAND: Great Portland Pick Up
April 25, 10 am-12 pm
The Portland Parks Conservancy and the City of Portland are hosting a citywide cleanup event. All the supplies will be provided; volunteers are asked to bring comfy clothes, closed-toe shoes, and water and sunscreen. Enjoy free coffee and snacks while you volunteer, and when you fill out the waiver, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a raffle prize. Maine Audubon Field Naturalist Stacia Brezinski will be at the Cleanup Hub location at Congress Square Park, 581 Congress Street.
More info >
DIXFIELD: Maine Birds Community Engagement
Ludden Memorial Library, 42 Main Street, Dixfield
April 22, 2–3:30 pm
Maine Audubon naturalists and educators will share about Maine birds, and what we can observe outdoors in our communities. Participants will then have the opportunity to participate in different activities to deepen their learning, such as exploring our touch table, doing bird illustration, learning to use binoculars, and more. This event is free and open for all ages, both children and adults.
