53 years ago Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day to draw attention to the growing need for caring for the environment. Today, the event has grown from an idea into action and there are plenty of ways you can get in on that action by visiting local parks on Earth Day – Saturday.
At Sheboygan’s Ellwood H. May Environmental Park many have pre-registered for the spring cleaning from 10 until 11 a.m., but you don’t need to register for the bird walk from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue will accept exotic pets like fish, birds and reptiles that have outgrown their homes. That’s from noon until 3 p.m.
At Kohler-Andrae State Park, Work Play Earth Day will involve trail, cordwalk or campground maintenance, cleaning and other activities to get the park ready for the busy season ahead. The DNR’s Missy VanLanduyt says volunteers should wear work shoes, boots, long pants and gloves, and to bring any shovels or rakes that can be used. That event runs from 9 until noon. And as a bonus, Park admission is waived for volunteers who don’t have an admission sticker. Similar activities are happening at other locations like Harrington Beach State Park.
If those don’t work for you, EarthDay.org – the global organizer of Earth Day – asks people to plant trees, clean up the land around you and think of ways to make Earth a better place for your being here.
