Celebrating Earth Day & Community Gardening

I've had the great pleasure to join in with a zealous group of people that are affiliated with the Four Rivers Community Garden & Next Chapter Food Pantry, in Ontario, Oregon. This week, they plan on celebrating the First Anniversary of the Community Garden on April 22nd, which is officially Earth Day.

I just love Earth Day. Actually, I wish everyday was "Earth Day" to everyone on the planet. Seriously, we shouldn't need a day set aside to raise awareness about environmental issues. But sadly, we do.

Someday, it won't be this way. Someday, (hopefully very soon), the majority of people on this planet will be constantly making positive changes in their lifestyle, to lower their carbon footprint.

What does being environmentally conscious mean to you? Does it mean anything to you? Last year, I posted a video link that shared people's perceptions and values regarding our beautiful planet.

No matter where you live, there will be activities this week in honor of Earth Day. Seek one or two of them out, you won't regret it. You'll probably learn a thing or two, PLUS you may just have a little "green & clean" fun !

Locally in the Ontario, Oregon area, I would be honored if you came by the Four Rivers Community Garden on the 22nd, between 4:30 & 6:30 pm. There will be a tour of the garden and some interactive planting going on. Also, I'll be there to share with folks about practical ways to be more environmentally conscious in the areas of recycling and avoiding toxins in commonly used househould products.

Four Rivers Community Garden
802 SW 5th Street
Ontario, OR 97914

If, you'd like a good chuckle, read this Earth Day reminiscent story that I found at www.ecoearth.com website. It's a classic!

Earth Day Festivities in California

The "Govenator", attended multiple Earth Day events on April 22nd. One such event was the planting of the one millionth tree in Pleasanton, CA.

Shaklee Corporation, along with it's sales force and customers, had made a commitment three years ago to plant one million trees through a program called, "A Million Trees. A Million Dreams™" Campaign . Earth Day was the culmination of that project, when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai, and Shaklee Chairman and CEO, Roger Barnett, planted the one millionth tree.

"A Million Healthier Lives In 2009" is now Shaklee's newest campaign. It is the Company's sincere attempt to empower people to better their financial situation, while improving the environment simultaneously. Shaklee CEO, Roger Barnett's speech at this event, is available on California's website.

You can view the entire article and video from the event from this post. Also, to read more about Shaklee's environmental accomplishments, please check here.

Founded in 1956, Shaklee is the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral certification and totally offset its C02 emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment. This is a company that "walks the walk".

Let Earth Day Be Every Day

Well, as I write this Earth Day post, I am moved to reflect more on this designated day's meaning. And as I do, I am humbled to think that every day is Earth Day. For, without an Earth, there wouldn't be ME !

So, I'd like to share a link to an inspiring Earth Day video that I received this week. There are tidbits of thoughts and perceptions of many people in the video, about what being environmentally conscious means to them.

Some of the comments that really stood out to me were:

- Ripple Effect
- Take Responsibility For Yourself
- Do 1 New Thing For The Planet Each Day
- The Environment is Us
- Ethical Lifestyle
- Be A More Thoughtful Consumer
- Be A More Thoughtful Human Being
- We Are Borrowing The Earth
- What Are We Leaving Our Children?

Please view the short video and let's continue to make everyday: Earth's Day.

Reusable Bags - Paid For Themselves Over & Over

Well, it was 2 years ago this month, that I watched the Earth Day Show that Oprah aired. That was also my launch pad into becoming more environmentally conscious and focusing on my family's health and well being.

I have made a lot of changes (transitions) in my lifestyle since then, and one of them was purchasing and using reusable bags for shopping. I must admit that its taken me awhile to get into the habit of using them, but it's become a pretty solid one these days.

I'm still using the same reusable bags that I purchased online from EcoBags, two years ago. My initial order included four canvas/cotton tote bags and an assorted pack of string vegetable bags. I'm careful not to overload the reusable bags, and because of that, they're like brand new.

All my EcoBags are still in pristine condition. No rips, tears, discoloration, nothing ! And a bonus that I really like is that string bags are very stretchable. So, when I've purchased more at the market than will fit in my canvas totes, I can spillover into the string bags.

Besides keeping plastic bags out of the oceans and landfills, I was able to more than recoup my initial expense for them, when stores were offering a .05 cent credit, for bringing your own bags to the store. But, even if I hadn't received that great unexpected rebate, I'm still helping the planet and making it Earth Day, everytime I go to the store!

Great Reads For Earth Day

My new friend, Alix Gnoske Davila, from Recycle Me Organic Cotton T-Shirts, has a blog post this week that lists some great reading material on environmental issues and pioneers of the environmental movement. While at her blog, please check out the very cute Eco Chic T's that she offers.

Another great book that I've previously mentioned in this blog, is Green Goes With Everything by Sloan Barnett. A New York Times Best Seller, the book has some easy suggestions and is very educational.

And then, check out the Green Goes With Everything website, and calculate your Body Burden score. This test shows you about the pollution exposures to your body. After calculating your score, you can use the tips in Sloan Barnett's book to reduce your exposures.

April 22 Is Earth Day

The beginning foundations of what is celebrated as Earth Day, began in 1969. Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin senator, spearheaded the Earth Day movement. His desire was to harness the same type of energy that was going into Vietnam anti-war protests, and redirect it in a positive manner, towards protecting the environment.

A quote from Nelson regarding Earth Day:

"Earth Day achieved what I had hoped for. The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political arena. It was a gamble, but it worked. An estimated 20 million people participated in peaceful demonstrations all across the country. Ten thousand grade schools and high schools, two thousand colleges, and one thousand communities were involved .... That was the remarkable thing that became Earth Day."

So, almost 40 years since Earth Day's inception, people are really just starting to wrap their minds around the concept that taking care of the planet is our responsibility. What are you doing and what else can you do, to make an even bigger impact? Earth 911's website has some great suggestions and fun ways to incorporate new habits that will positively benefit our beautiful planet.

We've only got one Earth, it's up to us, to take care of it.