Delaware Valley Celebrates This Year’s Earth Day

It’s been 42 years since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970. Organized by then U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day inspired some 20 million Americans to rally at events across the nation for a cleaner, healthier environment. Generally credited with kicking off the modern-day Environmental Movement, the event not only ignited organized political activity around environmental issues but also helped raise the ecological consciousness of everyday Americans.

As we celebrate this year’s Earth Day, it’s a good time to take note of all that has been accomplished over the past four decades — from legislative victories such as the Clean Air, Water and Endangered Species acts to the growing demand for green products, organic food and renewable energy. Of course, it’s also the ideal time to recommit to making our own lives a bit more green and sustainable.

Some local Earth Day celebrations include:

1. Earth Day Weekend Film Fest at Acme Screening Room, 25 S. Union Street, Lambertville, NJ. Friday, 4/20 & Saturday, 4/21: “Queen of the Sun” at 7 p.m. and “So Right So Smart” at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 4/22, “Without Compromise: The Life of Martin Litton” and “A Fierce Green Fire” starting at 5 p.m. For more information: www.acmescreeningroom.ticketleap.com.
2. Earth Day Celebration at Brownsburg Park, 1455 River Road, New Hope, PA. Saturday, 4/21, 10 -2. Rain date: 4/22. Exhibits, seminars, demonstrations, animals, other activities promoting conservation and ecology. For more information: http://www.uppermakefield.org/news/earth-day-celebration-brownsburg-park.
3. Earth Day Celebration at Bucks Country Gardens, 1057 N. Easton Road, Doylestown, PA. Sunday, 4/22, 10-4. Vendors offering green products and services, workshops, activities for kids.
4. Earth Day Celebration at South County Fairgrounds, Route 170, East Amwell Township, NJ (just south of Ringoes). Saturday, 4/21, 10:30 – 4. Wild animal shows by Rizzo’s Reptiles, Eyes of the Wild and NJ Bat Sanctuary, craft projects, 4-H exhibits. For more information: www.co.hunterdon.nj.us./depts/parks/programs.htm.

For much more information about the history of Earth Day and ways to get involved in environmental issues, visit www.earthday.org.