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Celebrate Earth Day And Arbor Day - Plant A Tree

Last updated on Monday, April 4, 2016

(BLOOMINGTON) - In your daily actions are you treating the earth like a trash can?

The future starts today with your earth stewardship. Recycling is a basic action step that reduces: trash, pollution, landfill methane gas, habitat destruction, energy use, climate change and more.

The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District's (District) Media & Education Director Elisa K. Pokral states, "So many positive things result from simply taking a moment to sort the recyclables from what is trash and putting it into a recycling bin. So many positive things can result from knowing what IS trash!"

The District thanks all legislators and concerned citizens who strive to meet Indiana's state recycling goal of 50% of municipal waste by 2019.

Pokral states, "When people take action, both at home and in business, it helps recycling be more efficient and makes our earth sustainable."Earth Day is April 22 and Arbor Day April 29. Pokral says, "We encourage the public to celebrate their efforts and the District's many milestones of enhanced services at its five county locations by planting a tree at their home or business."

Where do you get your tree? The week of April 18-21st, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, while supplies last, pick up a free tree seedling and seedling planting instructions at the Administration building at the South Walnut Recycling Center located at 3400 South Walnut Street. Where do you recycle materials from paper to electronics and dispose of medicines free of charge? At the District. Media & Education Director Elisa K. Pokral states, "Check out our ZERO WASTE banners and share your tree stories and green stories-- your reasons for recycling and other earth care actions, and how you save money using the orange bag trash program on Facebook at gogreendistrict.com." Pokral says, "Although Earth Day comes once a year, the District urges you to celebrate Earth Day April 22 and Arbor Day April 29, every day by using the services of the District. Think Earth every day. Sustain the world by taking green actions such as reducing waste, reusing what you can, and recycling to create a healthy word." Seedlings will be donated by the District.

Find out what you can do for a goal of ZERO WASTE. Make this Earth Day and Arbor Day your milestone for recycling and tell your neighbors. Stop by the Administration Building at the South Walnut Recycling Center the week of April 18-21 from 8 .a.m. till 5 p.m. while supplies last and pick out a free tree seedling (one per family).

Let the District help you "Think Earth and take action." Gogreendistrict.com

History of Earth Day and Arbor Day and additional District Services

Recycling and reusing help the earth in many ways and planting trees does too. Studies indicate some of the benefits of planting trees are that trees clean the air by absorbing pollution, increase property values, reduce aggression and violence, reduce energy consumption, reduce pollution, prevent soil erosion, regulate climate, provide a habitat for animals, and provide a better habitat for all living creatures. In Indiana Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Arbor Day Which is now celebrated internationally, was founded by newspaper editor, politician, conservationist and Secretary of Agriculture Julius Sterling Morton in the 1870's in Nebraska due to Nebraska's lack of trees. During the 1870's, other states began to observe it as well and the tradition began in the schools nationwide in 1882.

The first Earth Day was held in the spring of 1970. In the words of the Founder of Earth Day, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, "The idea for the special day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962. It had troubled me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country." However, as Senator Nelson explained, "If we could tap into the environmental concerns of the general public... we could generate a demonstration that would force this issue onto the political agenda. In 1970 there was a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment. The response was electric." Senator Nelson says, "Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level." "On the first Earth Day as many as 20 million Americans in schools and communities across the country participated in rallies and demonstrations on behalf of Earth. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself." (Excerpts from earthday.net "All About Earth Day" by Senator Nelson. Earth Day founder Senator Nelson reminds us that the stewardship of the earth's natural resources is in everyone's hands every day.

By 1990 Earth Day had become an international event, with more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating according to Earth Day Network, an organization that coordinates Earth Day activities around the world. Earth Day is most often celebrated on April 22, but some people observe it on March 21, the first day of spring. Today more than 1,000 groups and over 500 million people participate in activities and events that draw attention to current local and global environmental problems and to discuss commonsense solutions. At fairs, festivals, and talks, people learn about air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution; the destruction of habitats; the devastation of hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species; and the depletion of nonrenewable resources. They explore how to conserve energy, recycle, reuse, renew natural habitats, and make their lives and others healthier.

REMEMBER, along with providing free tree seedlings in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, the District offers tours of its facilities year-round to individuals and groups. Call 812-349-2020 for tours by appointment. District curriculum also offered throughout the year helps people of all ages understand the importance of being earth stewards and how our actions create a healthy or unhealthy world.

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