Happy Earth Day, Everyone! Earth Day’s origins (see The History of Earth Day) began in 1970, but Rachel Carson‘s book Silent Spring (1962) “initiated the contemporary environmental movement” (Lear).

Underlying all these problems of introducing contamination into our world is the question of moral responsibility — responsibility not to our own generation but to those of the future.

-Rachel Carson

The Earth Day movement utilized many solid facts from Carson’s book and research to create an authentic movement for people of all heritages and socioeconomic groups to participate in. There are many ways we can participate in this beautiful ‘holiday,’ from spending time in your backyard and giving thanks to the plants and trees that shade your home, to traveling to exotic places and sitting on a beach to appreciate the waves and sunset.

Here are some ways to celebrate Earth Day today and everyday:

1. Visit a Nature Center near your home. My family visited The Trinity River Audubon Center south of Dallas last spring. It was free entry, and we had a great time walking the trails to the river and through the forest.
2. Give your time-talent-treasure to a nature conservancy. We have gifted our treasure to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association (co-created by my parents, Pete & Margo Heinzelmann) in my home state of Arkansas to ensure that the natural habitat will stay intact now and for future generations of humans, animals, and plant life.
3. Spend time soaking up mountain air in the Rockies. Our family’s go-to place is Snowmass, Colorado, especially in summer months. The crisp mountain air and quaking Aspen trees fill our souls with peace and abundance. Check out Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley … post for future travel plans to immerse yourself in nature.
4. Create a video of a certain place or places that you find solice and wholeness in. I created a video for my family that chronicles four generations of the Heinzelmann Clan and our adventures to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Click here to view video: Multi-Gen Travel Tales–Digital Story Project.

So this Earth Day, you could simply discover the beauty in your own backyard, visit a park, make sure to recycle the items in your home that can be recycled… or even better, reduce your use on all levels.

Happy Earth Day to you and yours! Wishing you the blessings of our beautiful planet.

Sarah Heinzelmann Andersen

Sources:

Lear, Linda. “The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson.” https://www.rachelcarson.org/. Accessed 22 April 2024.