For 52 years we’ve been celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd. Midway through spring, as flowers unfurl their buds and green foliage returns to deciduous branches in the Northern Hemisphere, we gather to pay our respects to natural systems that regulate life on the planet. We plant trees, volunteer to clean up our neighborhoods, and appreciate the natural beauty and intelligence around us.
Earth Day was never, and still is not limited to a singular day. While April 22nd is a rallying point for the mainstream environmental movement, for communities and indigenous nations across the globe who are still connected to the rhythms of their natural ecosystems, Earth Day is every day. Even for those of us who may live in urban centers and work daily indoors and in front of screens, we are still connected to and interdependent with earth systems every day.
This Earth Day, consider the ways you are connected to your environment and ecosystems every day. After all, we are nature too. Nothing is more telling of that than the fact that like any other living creature we too need air and water to thrive.
We’ve collected some resources for you to explore your connection to the earth and to nature, and explore the types of actions that you are uniquely positioned to take.
Take Action by Supporting A Movement or Attend an Event:
There are so many ways to get involved. Each of us has a unique set of sensibilities and skills with which to take action. Get moving in a way that calls to you.
Earth Day As a Day of Action:
Explore the official earth day website with resources and toolkits to mobilize and take action for a sustainable climate future.
Snake River Dinner Hour: Learn about how to find alternatives to dams as our state faces a salmon crisis through our conversation series. Register here.
Sunrise Movement: Get involved by a next generation youth-led movement for intersectional climate and racial justice
Institute for Ecological Civilization
Washington Environmental Organizations:
https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=345663&p=2329447
Get involved with a local environmental group. And yes, we know we are one of them, but we are stronger when we all work together for collective change.
Volunteering Events:
Cascadia Climate Events Calendar: https://cascadiaclimateaction.org/
Duwamish River Community Coalition Earth Day cleanup: https://www.drcc.org/drf/earth-day-cleanup-gears-park-south-park
Bellingham: Mother Earth Day Celebration with Children of the Setting Sun
Whatcom County: Earth Day Beach Clean Up with RE-Sources for Sustainable Communities
Kent: Earth Day Hike and Celebration Event with UTOPIA Washington
Pierce County: Earth Day Habitat Stewardship with Pierce Conservation District
Spokane: Earth Day Tree Planting with the Lands Council
Tri-Cities: Earth Day Expo at REACH Museum with Sustainable Tri-Cities and join us for our Earth Day Happy Hour on Tuesday, April 26
Literary Sources and Magazine:
Go deeper with these multimedia interdisciplinary publications that look at how the environment intersects with society, culture, and community.
Center for Humans and Nature: Read this by Winona LaDuke
Listen to these intimate sound recordings by Sound Ecologist Gordon Hempton who lives by the quietest place on earth in the Olympic National Forest.
Learn about the layered interconnections of our precious ecosystems through the lens of soundscape ecology. Get started with this episode of Invisibilia featuring soundscape ecologist Bernie Krouse.
For the Wild Podcast: Hosted by Ayanna Young, this podcast features thoughtful interviews with environmental leaders and change makers from around the world with a hopeful look at what is possible for a sustainable future.
