Earth Day 2025
Happy Earth Day!
A note from NALMS President, Victoria Chraibi:
This year, it is relevant to reflect upon the history of Earth Day. In response to environmental protests in the 1960s, Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day as a day to raise awareness about environmental issues and to advocate for a cleaner, healthier planet. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, as a “teach-in” on environmental issues. An estimated 20 million Americans participated! The environmental movement led to the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Environmental Protection Agency, Endangered Species Act, and other policies to protect and conserve nature. Since then, Earth Day has become an annual holiday recognized by the federal government and implemented in 200 countries.
There are several lessons we can take from the consequential presence of Earth Day:
- Your voice – our voice – matters in advocating for the protection of the environment.
- Much has been accomplished toward the protection of the environment, but much remains to be done.
- Education plays a vital role in progress; as David Attenborough explains, “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
To celebrate this Earth Day, we hope you visit a lake or other environment you care about and that you share your knowledge and sentiments with others. Remind family and friends of the purpose of Earth Day, share your knowledge and joy of nature with your community, and call your representatives to encourage them to uphold the laws and continue the funding needed to protect the natural places that uphold and protect us.
More Resources
Join us to honor and celebrate our remarkable planet on this extraordinary day. Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.
During this Earth Week, NALMS also looks forward to celebrating Arbor Day on Friday, April 25th! For suggestions of how you and yours might plant, nurture, and celebrate trees this Arbor Day, please visit https://www.arborday.org/.