Bigfoot's Friend

Today is possibly the most appropriate day of the year to take a walk outside, soak in the sunshine, breathe the fresh air, and maybe even stop to smell the flowers.

Because, not only is April celebrated as Earth Month, but April 22nd is Earth Day!

Join me in celebrating and appreciating the most incredible gift to mankind – the Earth.

The History of Earth Day

The very first Earth Day was celebrated by millions of Americans on April 22nd, 1970. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin created Earth Day to help raise awareness of the environmental issues that were becoming apparent throughout the 1960’s.

This was at a time when there were no regulations on the environmental impacts that factories had on their surroundings – meaning the air was being heavily polluted and toxic chemicals were being dumped in the waters, and nobody could stop it from happening.

This movement began in 1969, resulting in millions of Americans speaking up and creating laws to protect our air, water, land, and incredible renewable resources. Now, we celebrate Earth Day every April 22nd to serve as a reminder of this time in history, and the progress we have made since then.

What The Earth Does For Us

The Earth provides us an endless wealth of resources for food, shelter, water, nourishment, clothing, entertainment – and everything in-between, including oxygen!

Some of the most important things the Earth gives us which no other planet can provide are:

• Water – One thing us humans have in common with the Earth is our water content. Humans are composed of 55%-60% water, while the Earth is 71% covered in water. This is a resource that no other planet holds, and it’s one we can’t live without.
• Plants – The plants and herbs here on Earth are essential to our survival. From food to medicine, the variety of plants at our disposal are incredible, and essential at the same time.
• Trees – Along with the food, shade, and oxygen that trees provide us, they have also been our main resource for building shelters for thousands of years. From tents or a simple lean-to, to log homes and modern stick-built homes, the trees are a vital component to our survival.
• Oxygen – On the note of trees and the oxygen they provide, that is something else that we simply can not survive without. Oxygen is another specific chemical element exclusive to our planet that we can not exist without!
• Animals – While aliens may exist somewhere in the galaxy, as far as we know right now, Earth is the only planet capable of sustaining life – and not just humans. Animals are such a blessing to mankind in so many ways. From lovable, loyal pets, to livestock and the necessary nutrients that are available to us through them, having another form of life on our planet is really something special.

There is not one single other planet in our solar system that can support human life. Earth is one of a kind and we are lucky to have this beautiful rock floating in the Milky Way to call our home, care for, and thrive on.

What We Can Do For The Earth

In spirit of Earth Day and what that represents, here are some things you can do today to help take care of our environment, and deepen your connection to the Earth.

• Volunteer for environmental assistance programs – From highway adoption, to local volunteer programs, there are endless opportunities to get involved!
• Pick up some garbage – Be the person in your neighborhood who picks up garbage from the sidewalk, or the park. There’s no shame in keeping your community clean!
• Choose reusable over single use products – We are in the age of disposable everything, which is only adding to landfills and ruining our oceans and waterways. Choosing reusable, sustainable products and minimizing your household garbage will help the planet, and save you money.
• Plant some trees – I could go on about the importance of trees for a long time, so I’ll keep it short and just say: more trees is always better.
• Recycle – Recycling is something important that everyone can do. Separating materials that can be reused, recycled, or composted doesn’t take much effort, but it makes a huge impact.
• Get involved with the U.S. Forest Service – The U.S.F.S. plays an important role in protecting our public lands and managing the forests. Consider getting involved to help save the trees!
• Get involved with the National Parks Service –The NPS has many roles in protecting and maintaining public lands, including protected areas, plants, and some species. Volunteering or getting involved is a great way to service your local environments!

Making A Difference

Day by day, if we all work together on this mission to keep our world healthy, we will continue to have all of the incredible foods, animals, resources, and breath taking landscapes that we all know and love today.

If you have the time and resources available, I highly suggest volunteering some time to cleaning up your neighborhood, planting some trees, or helping your neighbors with their recycling. Maintaining a strong community and healthy environments can only help mankind in our endless search for longevity and stability.

So get out there! Go take your dog on a walk, take your kid to the park, or take yourself on a peaceful walk in your favorite local park. Take a moment to reflect on how meaningful each minor and major detail in nature really is in our lives.

Happy Earth Day, and thanks for reading!

-Jessica C.