Every year on April 22, Americans pause to celebrate Earth Day and to remember our collective responsibility to protect our planet and its people. State environmental agencies marked the day in a variety of creative ways. Here is just a sampling:
- In lieu of its annual in-person educational event with middle and high school students to encourage them to work in the environmental sciences, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management produced a set of videos featuring staff teaching about some of the work they do to protect the environment. The 15 videos available on ADEM’s YouTube channel cover topics from stack testing to fish tissue sampling to recycling.
- In an Earth Day commentary article featured by Bay to Bay News, Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin reflects on the seeds of change in Delaware – and recognizes those that still need to be sown toward a greener, more sustainable future.
- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) published an Earth Day page full of ideas on ways to mark the occasion – from exploring the woods or taking a backyard scavenger hunt to cleaning up household hazardous materials or caring for a park. Also featured is a DNR Conservation Officer who takes viewers on a Wild Things trip to an Iowa woodland.
- In honor of Earth Day, the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet (EEC) launched the Facebook series, Live at Lunchtime, to showcase the invaluable work of the EEC staff. The series includes eight installments showcasing reclaimed abandoned mines, innovative farming practices, efforts to save endangered bats and Hemlocks, water and air quality monitoring work, and educational media to support recycling efforts.
- Michigan geared its 2021 Earth Day festivities to students. In addition to sponsoring a grade school poster contest, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) held a student webinar on protecting and restoring the environment. EGLE Director Liesl Eichler Clark hosted the event, which highlighted the ways Michigan is addressing climate change, providing safe drinking water, and cleaning up contaminated sites. EGLE also held the first of two listening sessions to gather the public’s insights about climate issues and how Michigan can move toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency offered up a handy roundup of activities to help citizens make every day Earth Day. Suggestions include ways to volunteer, reduce food waste, change up your commute, and make Earth-friendly choices in your personal care products. The page also includes resources for finding local Earth Day events.
- New Jersey marked Earth Week with the release of the state’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy. Acting Commissioner Shawn LaTourette also joined a panel on the role of offshore wind in achieving net-zero carbon emissions as part of the Atlantic Council’s Raising Ambitions series. And the state held an event at Liberty State Park to highlight the importance of open spaces and the environmental justice movement.
- The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) this year celebrated Earth Week by sharing via its Twitter account its work to improve public health and the environment in communities around the state. Read about where NMED is working with these communities on cleaning up brownfield sites, protecting surface water resources, conducting proper infectious waste disposal, and more.
- In Texas, the Commission on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued the Texas 20 Texas 20 – or 20 ways residents can celebrate Earth Day right where they are. Among the offerings are a Make a Difference Calculator on individual contributions to landfills and a Rainwater Harvesting Guide to calculate how much rainwater you can collect for your watering needs.
