Earth Day 2009....The Green Generation

April 22 is Earth Day. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day was the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Coming at a very turbulent time in American history, Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare coming together of people; enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

What began as an American grassroots demonstration on the environment with 20 million American participants has grown over the last 40 years to include more than 1 billion people worldwide. The Earth Day Network works with organizations all over the world to provide opportunities for all citizens to become active at the local, state, national and global levels.

On a much smaller, more personal level, my town of North Smithfield will hold its 7th annual Clean and Green Day on Saturday, April 18, in recognition of Earth Day. Volunteers (you don't have to be a town resident) will gather to cleanup roadways, parks and riverbanks in town. People can organize their own teams and either designate an area in town they would like to clean up or choose from a list of suggested areas in need of attention. For more information or to pre-register as a volunteer, check the North Smithfield Clean & Green Day website .

Paul and I will be working on a parcel of land recently donated to the Town of North Smithfield by the family of Dr. Monica Wawszkiewicz. Including several acres of land, the property will eventually be used as a Peace Garden in Dr. Monica's honor. We have enlisted the help of all the grandchildren and hope to make it a family day. Our whole family is very environmentally conscious, and this is one of many projects the kids have been involved in over the years.

If you'd like to get involved, let us know. If you don't live in North Smithfield or can't make it next weekend to help out in our townwide effort, you can always help by cleaning up your own property borders or around your own town, no matter where you are!