On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans took to the streets for our country’s inaugural Earth Day celebration. This environmental movement was pivotal in leading to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency and laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.

It’s now the largest civic-focused day of action in the world.

Caring for the environment is a cause that’s far from absent in the minds of Grand Valley residents, as citizens and organizations rally to celebrate the Earth through education, community and preservation projects, not just in April, but also year-round. Many of these organizations are part of Western Colorado Days of Action (WCDA), an umbrella agency representing over 20 local organizations working on the front lines of positive change on civic, environmental, economic and social justice issues.

Retired teacher and WCDA member Kayla Dodson has been an advocate for the environment since she was a student in Washington, DC.

“I was a high school student in the late ’60s and early ’70s when my school started an environmental action club…in part, because the Potomac River was so polluted that recreation on or near it was impossible,” Dodson said.

Dodson is also part of EarthDayEveryDay, a group of volunteers who work together to keep environmental actions and issues in the public eye year-round.

Grand Valley Audubon (GVA) President Cary Atwood believes sharing information with future generations about preserving the environment takes Earth Day’s messages beyond a one-day celebration.

The holiday that started it all

Earth Day stemmed from a much earlier conservation event—Arbor Day. First observed in Nebraska in 1872, this tree-planting holiday originated when nature lover and journalist J. Sterling Morton proposed the initiative to the state board of agriculture, which rewarded communities that planted the most trees on that day.

National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, but state observances vary depending on the area’s best planting times. In Colorado, Arbor Day is observed on the third Friday in April.

In observance of these planet-saving initiatives, GVA encourages volunteers of all ages to participate in two volunteer planting days on April 21 and 22 at the Audubon Preserve, 610 Dike Road, near Connected Lakes. Volunteers will help improve riparian bird habitats by planting native wildflowers, trees and shrubs and clearing invasive shrubs and caging cottonwoods.

Southwest Arbor Fest

WCDA, John McConnell Math & Science Center, Colorado State University Extension and Colorado Environmental Coalition are among the organizations that will be at Southwest Arbor Fest at Lincoln Park on April 21.

“This family oriented event celebrates Earth Day with various educational and plant-related booths,” said Grand Junction Recreation Coordinator Lorie Gregor.

Southwest Arbor Fest kicks off the festival season at noon with live music, vendor booths, a macaroni and cheese cook-off, Colorado Craft Beer Expo and tree lottery.

Seventy-five mature trees will be raffled off as part of the lottery, which starts at 9 a.m. at Lincoln Park Barn. Raffle tickets cost $2 each, with drawings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Winners must be present and able to attend a free educational lecture about how to care for the trees immediately following the raffle.

The trees to be raffled off are all hardy to the area, said City Forester Randy Coleman. Among them are hot wings tartarian maple, whiteshield osage orange, golden rain tree and Turkish filbert, Norwegian sunset maple and ginko.

Coleman said free tree seedlings will be given away in limited quantities. For information, call 254-3861.

End plastic pollution

The official Earth Day website includes advice, ideas and actionable steps on ways to preserve the environment and how you can support this year’s initiative of ending plastic pollution. Visit www.earthday.org for more information.

Be the salt of the Earth!

Many of today’s environmental activists are involved for many of the same reasons as those who attended the first Earth Day rallies in 1970. Show your appreciation for the planet by lending your time at the following events. Events are free unless specified. For more information, visit www.earthdayeverydaywco.org.

APRIL 12 - Bring the grandkids to Family Story Hour and learn about Clawdia Coyote from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mesa County Libraries’ Central Library, 443 N. Sixth St.

APRIL 14 - Advocate for scientists and support the work they do for the greater good at the Science March (Science Not Silence) from 10 a.m. to noon at Lincoln Park.

APRIL 16 - Tour the Mesa County Landfill from 4-5 p.m.

APRIL 21 - Have fun in the sun at Southwest Arbor Fest from noon to 5 p.m. at Lincoln Park. Stop by the Earth Day booth for hands-on activities that educate participants about littering and recycling.

APRIL 21 - Another great event for grandkids, learn about science at the Saturday Science Hour from 1-2 p.m. at Eureka! McConnell Science Museum, 1400 N. Seventh St. Daily admission is $6 for children ages 3-18, $7 for adults, $6 for seniors age 55-75, and free for seniors age 75 and older.

APRIL 21 & 22 - Help Grand Valley Audubon improve riparian bird habitats by planting native wildflowers, trees and shrubs, and clearing invasive shrubs and caging cottonwoods during these two volunteer events. For details, visit www.facebook.com/audubongv or www.audubongv.org.

APRIL 22 - Join the Sierra Club for a Earth Day hike and litter pickup from 3-4:30 p.m. at Clifton Nature Park, 3227 D Road.

APRIL 23 - Here’s your chance to speak your mind on environmental messages and concerns in 10-minute meetings with agents that work with our local Congressmen. The event is from 3-5 p.m. RSVP to Kayla Dodson at [email protected].

APRIL 24 & 26 - Learn about the impacts of climate change in Colorado and how you can help reverse its effects. Presentation takes place from 6-8 p.m. April 24 at Colorado Mesa University’s Houston Hall, and 6-7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Mesa County Libraries’ Central Library Community Room.

APRIL 28 - Leave a treasure and take a treasure at the Eco Swap from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 536 Ouray Ave. Bring sum-mer clothing, books, lawn care tools, toys, office equipment and small furniture—all items must be in good, working order.

For information on Western Colorado Days of Action, visit www.facebook.com/wcdaysofaction. For information on Grand Valley Audubon, visit www.audubongv.org.