Earth Day celebrates its 54th national birthday on April 22nd marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day began on college campuses as public awareness of the link between pollution and health increased. Events were promoted across the United States and 20 million Americans participated in peaceful demonstrations against the last 150 years of industrial development’s effects. Earth Day is responsible for the implementation of a great number of legislative acts including the Clean Air and Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and others. The Environmental Protection Agency was born and works with state and local government, businesses, and non-profits to conserve water and energy, minimize emissions, reduce pesticide use, and reduce solid waste.
Fast forward 54 years, EARTHDAY.ORG is working globally to reduce carbon footprints, decrease and end plastic pollution, increase environmental literacy among students and future community leaders. The power of collective action is the goal of Earth Day. That same collective action happens not just on April 22nd, but once per quarter with the City of Celina’s Adopt-a-Street program through the Public Works department. The program encourages groups to adopt a Celina Street and commit to maintaining a 1-mile segment for one year while conducting quarterly clean-ups. The city provides supplies like trash bags, safety vests, gloves, and trash pickers and will collect the trash after clean-up. The City will also install a road sign acknowledging the adopting organization.
Melissa Gresham’s Run Celina is an active participant in the Adopt-a-Street program and has claimed G.A. Moore Parkway for clean-up. That street is heavily traveled by families going to and from the school district’s newest schools, and Run Celina strives to make the drive beautiful and attractive while making an impact on the environment and reducing pollution. The stretch of road is still relatively rural, and the trash blows and gets caught in the ditches and fence row. Run Celina volunteers rotate through their events with six people combing the roadside during February’s clean-up. Volunteers wear bright yellow tees made from recycled bottles, practicing what they preach in sustainability. Run Celina is always interested in adding volunteers to their rotation for May and August Adopt-a-Street clean-up. For more information, contact Melissa Gresham at 469-400-5274.
Preston Trail Rotary Club also participates in the Adopt-a-Street program through their commitment to clean Kinship Parkway near Celina’s Collin College Campus. Despite the wind and mid-20-degree temperatures, seven Rotarians collected trash in early February. Their efforts paid off in beautifying the area near the roundabout and college. For more information, contact Mark Rebro at prestontrailsrotary@gmail.com.
Earth-friendly activities also include keeping useable materials out of the landfill. The Forge 1912 is Celina’s first family-owned locally sourced fine dining steakhouse on the historic Celina square and is in the thick of a remodeling campaign. The 112-year-old building, once a blacksmith, has undergone extensive remodeling including replacing the exterior corrugated siding, framing, doors, insulation, and much more. The project is making way for a beautiful new restaurant planning on opening May 2024 but in the process created a mass of materials headed for the landfill. Owners Brian and Kristen Ethridge connected with a local non-profit, Donkey and Equine Haven, as a possible donation of the used building materials.
The corrugated metal siding and pergola-type materials, used during Carmela Winery’s ownership, were used to help construct shelters for the donkeys, mules, and horses rescued by Donkey and Equine Haven. The volunteer driven organization was pleased at the offer for the used materials from The Forge 1912. Roof repairs on existing structures and new shade structures were made using, and saving, thousands of dollars in materials.
There are many ways to make an impact on the environment and beautification of our Earth. Here are simple and effective practices to get involved with Earth Day activities in our community:
- Reduce plastic use by shopping with reusable mesh or canvas bags, drink from reusable water bottles rather than single-use plastic bottles, use glass or metal dishes and cups.
- Shop sustainably for clothes by shopping second-hand first. It reduces landfill additions and the overproduction of items. Buy fewer clothes and invest in only items you like or need. Buy natural products made from cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, silk, wool, and alpaca. Avoid polyester, nylon, and spandex pieces made from petroleum. Donate or sell unwanted clothing.
- Engage in bee conservation efforts through planning landscaping with wildlife in mind. Use native plants that attract pollinators and provide safe areas for bees to reside and access native food sources. Plant species with varying bloom cycles. Choose plants with an array of shapes, colors, and sizes to attract pollinators. Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides.
For more ideas on Earth Day, visit EARTHDAY.ORG.
