The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970 and paved the way for the passing of several important environmental acts, such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. It also influenced the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency later in 1970. The environmental movement of the 1960s had already heightened the general consciousness of environmental awareness among the public, but the 70’s were truly known as the environmental decade due to the passage of many environmental laws and executive orders in the USA. Earth Day went global in 1990, and is now recognized as the largest secular observance in the world.
Planting trees had always been a great way to celebrate Earth Day, because trees do so much more for the environment other than just beautifying an area. Trees purify our air and combat climate change, while also cooling our streets and cities. Trees protect against floods and water pollution. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark. Additionally, trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals. These are just some of the ways trees are truly vital to not just our lives, but the lives of our Earth’s beautiful wildlife as well.
Tree Lafayette was founded in 1993, and is a volunteer-based non-profit organization that focuses on the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. Besides hosting many events for the actual planting of trees, it also provides other
educational events for the community; in the past, such events have included a Tree Identification Walk and a class entitled How to Plant a Tree, including Choosing the Right Tree and Caring for Your Tree. Tree Lafayette continues to do
much to enrich our local environment; the organization will be planting its 3,500th tree for Arbor Day on May 1, 2021!
Our local 2021 Earth Day Celebration and Tree Dedication Event is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2021, at 10 a.m. outside in the Imagination Station parking lot at 600 N 4th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. Everyone is encouraged to come and join the celebration of our community, the environment, and our beautiful Earth. Mayor Tony Roswarski will make an Earth Day Proclamation, and SIA will be sponsoring the planting of 15 trees on North 4th Street for Earth Day. We hope to see you there!