Earth Day History
Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day as an environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day, held April 22, 1970, had participants in 2,000 colleges and universities, roughly 10,000 primary and secondary schools, and millions of Americans in their communities.
Earth Day proved popular in the United States and around the world. Senator Nelson stated that Earth Day worked because of the response at the grassroots level. He directly credited the first Earth Day with persuading U.S. politicians that environmental legislation had a substantial, lasting constituency.
Here is a list of activity books and environmental resources for kids available through Ohio EPA's website.
Ohio EPA will also be participating in Earth Day events around the state. To see if we will be in your community, check out the events listed below.
See Ohio EPA at These Earth Day Events in 2011
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Dublin 2011 EcoDublin Expo
Franklin County
April 16; 9 a.m. – noon
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The Columbus Zoo: Earth, Paws and Claws
Delaware County
April 23; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Toledo Zoo's Party for the Planet
Lucas County
April 16 |
Owens Community College's Environmental Fair
Lucas County
April 24 |
Earth Day Festival
Medina County
April 16; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Cincinnati State Earth Jam
Hamilton County
April 28; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Earth Day Challenge half-marathon
Knox County
April 17 |
Earth Day Event at the Fairgrounds
Hocking County
April 29 |
Environmental Eco-Fair
Lake County
April 17; noon - 4 p.m. |
Logan County Fairgrounds
Logan County
April 29 |
Cleveland Zoo EarthFest
Cuyahoga County
April 17; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
Healthy Environment-Healthy Living
Near Scioto Audubon Metro Park - Franklin County
April 30
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2011 Earth Day at Youngstown State University
Mahoning County
April 20; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
Fourth Grade Conservation/Environmental Day
Huron County
May 10 |
Bowling Green State University's Earth Day
Wood County
April 20 |
Montpelier Water Party
Williams County
May 18; 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Toth Elementary - Second grade
Lucas County
April 21 |
Fayette Local School Outdoor Education Day
Fulton County
May 26; 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. |
Dublin Armory National Guard Event
Franklin County
April 22; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Delphos City School System
Van Wert County
Date to be determined |
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Franklin Park Conservatory/ Green Columbus'
Earth Day Celebration 2011: Lighten Up
Franklin County
April 23
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St. Louis Elementary
Wood County
Date to be determined |
Earth Day Every Day
Although we only celebrate Earth Day once a year, there are many opportunities for everyone to make small changes in their daily routines that will have a positive effect on the environment. For ideas of things you can do, go to U.S. EPA's environmental tips webpage.
Other Earth Day Events
Many other Ohio communities are hosting Earth Day events. To find out what your community is doing, check your local paper or contact your local officials. You may also check the Earth Day Network's Billion Acts of Green website, search by zip code to find nearby events, or just take some time reading through ways others are making their lives a little greener.
Events range from easy, family-friendly activities to more strenuous volunteer environmental cleanup opportunities. Just a few examples include planting trees; installing rain gardens; restoring local ecosystems; creating or reviving community food gardens. Businesses and community leaders can also get in on the action when they attend events to learn more about sustainability initiatives, discuss ways to green the local economy and meet with companies that are taking steps to reduce pollution and save money by using more environmentally friendly products.
