Earth Day

Is Earth Day just another day on this planet? What exactly is it and does it make a difference in this crazy world? Well, to start off, Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, which was founded by John McConnell in 1969. Each year on the March equinox since January 1970, Earth Day is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22, including the U.S.

So now that we know what it is, does it really achieve any real influence or purpose? In a time when we are supposed to be surprised by the price of cars and the fuel that drives them, at the price of houses and the culture of real-estate speculation and presumption that drives it, at the price of a gallon of milk or a dozen eggs and the increased corporate control from production to the shelf, showroom or gas pump, Earth Day will be little more than yet another opportunity to launch the latest tech-driven and purportedly energy-saving device or political promise.  Earth Day is a reminder, if anything, of how much we have taken and the damage we have done in our rush for profit at any price.

Does Earth Day make a difference? Any event or gathering that intends to educate the public on a matter of importance is worthwhile. If just one person walking home from an Earth Day celebration picks up a stray soda can along the way and deposits it in a recycling container, a difference has been made. If a child or another person happens to see them and makes note, the pebble-in-a-pond effect has started.
Learning about water, food and clothing sources, wildlife, nature, the atmosphere, transportation, construction, and everything from basic to complicated alternatives to how things are currently done is available at events throughout the country. How can that not make a difference?

So what are we doing around here locally? The City of Chico will celebrate Earth Day in Bidwell Park on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970.  This year’s event in Bidwell Park will feature a variety of opportunities for participants to give back to the earth and our community’s cherished park.  The City of Chico invites everyone to participate in the following project site activities:

Project site 1:  Trails in Upper Park - Volunteers will help provide trail repair and maintenance on the Middle Trail.  Meet and sign in at parking lot B (near the Easter Cross).

Project site 2:  One Mile Recreation - Volunteers will help with trash clean up, weed removal in the nearby Sycamore Restoration site, and with the oak regeneration project in this area. Meet and sign in at the group picnic site at One Mile Recreation in Lower Park.

Project site 3:  Water Quality Monitoring Training - The Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance will train volunteers to monitor water quality from 9 a.m. to noon.  Meet at the south side of Five Mile Recreation Area. Call Timmarie at 342-6620 for more information.

Project site 4:  First Ave & Verbena Fields Restoration Site - Volunteers will remove invasive plants, pick up trash and construction debris, and help prepare the site for restoration.  Meet at the site on East 1st and Verbena Avenues.  Call Susan at 892-1666 for more information.

Community members are welcome to pre-register as individuals, families, or teams by contacting the Park Division’s Volunteer Coordinator Lise Smith-Peters, at (530) 896-7831 or via email: lspeters@ci.chico.ca.us.  You may also register the day of the event at the project sites. Participants should wear sturdy, closed shoes and weather appropriate clothing.  The City Park Division will provide tools. Refreshments from local merchants will be provided. Minors 13 and under need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Volunteers under 18 need a release form signed by a parent or guardian prior to beginning work.

Healing our home does not need to be anything major, but can be lots of small things as we go through our day.  Simple everyday tasks such as turn shower water down to a drizzle or off while we soap up and shorten the time to five to seven minutes; bring our own reusable bags when shopping; recycle items that our local governments accept in their bins; turn off those appliances, lights, TVs, etc., that are not needed at the moment.

I believe that Earth Day makes a difference. It draws attention to what people might be taking for granted — the land and water we all need to survive. Awareness is the key answer to this question. The Earth's resources are not infinite. If we do things like use more water than rain provides or emit more carbon than can be absorbed, the Earth and its inhabitants will suffer. Earth Day can serve as the push to get involved.