This coming Tuesday is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. It was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin as a way to educate people about environmental problems and the solutions to those problems. The first Earth Day focused on the United States. In 1990 it was taken global, observed with events all over the world. It has become the largest secular event in the world, celebrated by over a billion people in 193 countries annually. These events highlight our problems and celebrate our successes. And, I think, it’s no coincidence, that it is during the height of beautiful spring weather – at least in most parts of this country. In fact, the concept of Earth Day was initially proposed to be on the first day of spring. 

Since 1970, the environmental movement has certainly been able to achieve some notable successes. Some of those successes are probably directly attributable to Earth Day. For example, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 has been instrumental in bringing back several species from the brink of extinction. These include the bald eagle, the humpback whale, and the California condor, among many others. The Clean Water Act of 1972 has had a major impact on water quality, and the Clean Air Act of 1970 has resulted in major progress in fighting air pollution. There also has been great progress in preserving and protecting major tracts of land, including federally designated wilderness, as well as other areas.

However, we continue to have major ecological problems. Many were not even recognized as problems 55 years ago. These include climate change, increased pollution from plastics, forever chemicals and overuse of public lands for both recreation and resource extraction.

Recently, it feels like progress on these issues is coming to a screeching halt. Enforcement of laws like the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 has become controversial. And the budgets of agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency face increasing restraints every year.

Fortunately, there are many groups, both local and national, that work hard to help solve these problems. Many of these groups are private and volunteer based. In addition, most of our local governments are also trying to improve the environment of Summit County.

The Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club (which is the largest and oldest environmental group in the U.S.) is sponsoring an Earth Day Fair this Tuesday. This fair will highlight what these groups are doing, and what interested folks can do to join in the fight.

The participating groups are: Blue River Watershed Group, Breck Create, Colorado Wild, Dark Sky Colorado, Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance, Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, High Country Conservation Center, Rotary Club of Summit County, Summit County Open Space and Trails, and Town of Breckenridge Planning Department.

The topics will include coexistence with wolves, nighttime lights and their effect on bird migration, plastic pollution and recycling and protection of our wilderness areas and other areas of the White River National Forest. Restoration of the Blue River Watershed will also be on the agenda. In addition, students from the Colorado Mountain College Sustainability Program will be demonstrating their graduation projects.

There is a lot going on in the environmental community of Summit County, so come celebrate with us at the Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge campus on Tuesday, April 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. Find out more about what these amazing local groups are doing to improve and safeguard our environment, and what you can do to help. Happy Earth Day.

“Get Wild” publishes weekly in the Summit Daily News. Frank Lilly is on the Executive Committee of the Headwaters Group of the Sierra Club, and a member of Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance.