What I find the most interesting was that it was important to Sen. Nelson that this movement be led by more than just a politician. He created an independent organization called Environmental Teach- in Inc., a grassroots organization that connected community members, school clubs, and more to help them develop their own demonstrations in their cities. Sen. Nelson didn’t want to shape how people demonstrated, he wanted each place to do what was right for them. I think this sentiment rings true for the UEC as well. We are excited to get people out in nature to see what they then do with it! We want to connect people to our wonderful parks, but don’t expect folks to use the parks the exact same way. Learning about nature and the environment is a deeply personal act and we should be able to express ourselves while we do it.
On April 21st, 1970, the night before the first Earth Day 1970, Sen. Nelson gave a speech right here in Milwaukee. He said "Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human being and all living creatures."
Here at the Urban Ecology Center, I think the work that we do embodies these words truly, every day, not just on Earth Day. Connecting people to each other and to the natural world is our goal and mutual respect and decency are important aspects of that connection.
The first Earth Day brought 20 million Americans from over 10,000 elementary and high schools, 2,000 colleges, and over 1000 communities together to care and fight for the earth. The solidarity shown on the first Earth Day 50 years ago brought about the “environmental decade” according to Nelson. In the years following, the public shifted their perspective on the protection of the environment and a lot of our nation’s environmental legislation was passed including the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Toxic Substance Control Act, and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation act. Most famously, the Creation of the Environmental Protection Agency took place in December of 1970.
It is inspiring to me to see what people can do when we come together and I hope the history of the first Earth Day was inspiring to you as well. I hope you are able to see how important you are to the health and wellbeing of the planet and how we together are inspiring generations to love the natural world through experiences in our city!
Links for reference
http://www.nelsonearthday.net/nelson/earthdayidea.php
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
https://content.mpl.org/digital/collection/RememberWhe/id/471/
