Nature Net News
April 2009
Gaylord Nelson & Earth Day
"If we continue to address the issue
of the environment where we live
as though we're the only species that
lives here,
we'll create a disaster for ourselves."
Gaylord Nelson
| Dear Reader,
There are some who simply set the stage for change, transforming the way we proceed into the future. Gaylord Nelson, who was born in the small town of Clear Lake, Wisconsin, did just that: he grew up to change how American policy regards the environment. With his tenacious plan to bring environmental action to the political realm, not only did he motivate millions in the spring of 1970 to speak out against environmental degradations, he paved the way in creating the Environmental Protect Agency, banning DDT, and drafting the Clean Air and Water Acts. Find out in this month's Nature Net News how you too can make a difference and help foster in your children the same tenacity toward environmental stewardship. Find out why it's important to "hit the trails", how and why Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day, and what you can do this year to honor and celebrate Earth Day. Enjoy! Betsy & Kathe |
Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day, served as Wisconsin's 35th Governor (1959-63). Dubbed the "Conservation Governor", during his term Nelson created the Outdoor Recreation Act Program which provided funding to improve state parks and forests, acquire and preserve natural lands, and support recreation and conservation projects.
What to Do This Month:
Visit
your favorite Nature Net sites during "Earth
Day Bouquet" - a two week celebration of the Earth with events, programs
and at-your-leisure suggestions. Find out what you can do to support National Environmental Education Week.
Take part in the "No Child Left Inside Days" during the month of April.
Participate in "National TV Turn-Off Week" April 20-26.
Step up to the "Earth Day Challenge" at Madison Parks.
Find other Nature Net events this month on the Nature Net Calendar.
Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Earth Day Hike
Studies show children who grow up to be environmental stewards like Gaylord Nelson tend to have a few things in common, including positive, direct experiences in the outdoors with an adult mentor. So even if you can't name all the local trees or identify birds by their calls, it still pays to get outdoors with your children. Simply modeling behaviors like taking pleasure in time spent outdoors or finding fascination with other living things not only encourages a love and understanding of nature, it can give rise to environmental action. Use Earth Day as an annual reminder to simply get out and explore, stroll, hike or wander. If you need further motivation, consider this: writer and doctor Stephen Kellert finds "play in nature, particularly during the critical period of middle childhood, appears to be an especially important time for developing the capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and emotional and intellectual development." For more on these studies, visit the Children and Nature Network.
Instant Outdoor Expert:
The First Earth Day
In 1970 the first Earth Day was observed by twenty million people (10% of the US population) with marches, rallies, concerts and teach-ins designed to speak out against pollution. The most amazing element of the first Earth Day is the truly organic nature of its creation. In the 1960's though Nelson, a United States Senator at the time, toured the nation speaking out about the state of America's environment (and convinced President Kennedy to to the same), there was not much of a public nor political movement to change environmental policy or practices. Nelson, who had experienced much success in the way of conservation and resource planning as Wisconsin's Governor, felt there must be a way to harness American's increasing awareness and concern for environmental issues and translate it to action. Senator Nelson would later claim the idea for Earth Day simply "popped into my head". Using the notion of grassroots- or student-led "teach-ins" like those held to protest the war in Vietnam, Nelson formed Environmental Teach-In, Inc. in 1969. With a sparsely staffed headquarters set up in Washington DC, it took a mere six-months to recruit and activate local student groups, conservationists, and communities. Though Earth Day headquarters fielded inquires and disseminated information, the day itself was planned and organized locally. Nelson himself stated, "Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor the resources to organize twenty million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself."
Now, almost forty years later, Earth Day is still a locally-driven day of action and environmental awareness. Find out what you can do this April 22nd from the Earth Day Network or plan to attend Governor Doyle's Governor's Earth Day Celebration on April 25th.
You may also want to read, in Senator Nelson's words, more on the making of the first Earth Day or get more information on Gaylord Nelson himself.
Featured Nature Net Site
Nature Craft
Madison School Forest
The
Madison School Forest, also known as the
Jackson School Forest after "Bud" Jackson, encompasses 307 acres in the
hilly terrain southwest of Verona in Wisconsin's unglaciated Driftless
Area. The forest includes the Olson Oak Wood State Natural Area, a prime
example of a Wisconsin southern dry forest with remnants of
pre-settlement days. Other ecosystem examples included in the Madison
School Forest are the Jerome Jones Pine Plantation planted by Madison
School District staff and students and an open field area. 75 additional acres of
old farmland was purchased by the Friends of the School Forest in 2001.
Over 40 species of birds live and nest in the School Forest, and many
more migratory birds can be observed seasonally. A rustic camping
area features a kitchen, nature center, shelter, four sleeping cabins,
and restrooms with access for people with physical handicaps.
As a special place of natural biological diversity, the Madison School
Forest offers a unique site for MMSD students to experience and learn
environmental education. The Madison Metropolitan School District is
proud to be a steward of such a remarkable resource -- we welcome you to
come, learn, and enjoy!
Bald Eagle Pin
In large part due to awareness raised during the first Earth Day, use of
the once popular insecticide DDT was banned in the US, ensuring the
survival of our nation's emblem, the bald eagle. Commemorate the eagle's
return from near-peril and the success of Earth Day with this safety pin
craft.
Open thirteen safety pins and slip brown, blue, white and gold seed beads onto each one, using the pattern pictured above. Once all beads are in place, close each safety pin and use a needle-nose pliers to pinch the end of the safety pin so it will not pop open later. Once all the pins are beaded, you are ready to string them onto a larger safety pin (a two-inch pin will work for this pattern). Open the large safety pin and using a flat-head screwdriver, slightly pry apart the coils at the end. Slip the loop of the first beaded safety pin onto the large pin and pull it around the loop and up the back-side of the pin. Repeat this for each beaded safety pin. Once all your beaded safety pins are on your larger pin, use the pliers and squeeze the loop closed. You can now pin your new safety pin jewelry onto your shirt, hat, or shoelaces.
You can also try this Earth pin pattern to wear on April 22nd!
Suggested Reading:
"50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth" by The
Earth Works Group (4-8)
"Earth Day (On My Own Holidays)" by Linda Lowery (age 4-8)
"The Greening Book" by Ellen Sabin (age 4-8)
"Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment" by Linda
Schwartz (age 6-12)
"Gaylord Nelson: A Day for the Earth" by Jeffrey Shulman (age 9-12)
"Everything Kids' Environment Book: Learn how you can help the
environment-by getting involved at school, at home, or at play" by Sheri
Amsel (age 9-12)
"The Environmental Movement" by Laurence Pringle (age 9-12)
"Earthkeepers: Observers and Protectors of Nature"
by Ann T. Keene (age 9-18)
