Did you know the first Earth Day marks one of the largest protests in human history?
Twenty million people took to the streets and public spaces across the United States on April 22, 1970 to mark the first Earth Day and call for an end to environmental degradation. People from all political affiliations, industries, and backgrounds rose together to call for a cleaner and healthier planet. This extraordinary groundswell of support helped catalyze the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act.
The legacy of Earth Day carries on today as billions of people across the world come together every year to improve the health of our planet. By joining a local cleanup or other Earth Day event, you can be a part of this global day of action.
What we do on the land affects the health of Casco Bay and the seas beyond – that is why we will be out in our communities taking action for Earth Day.
Here are some ways you can get involved.
Cleanups: organize your own or join a local event!
Host your own Coastal Cleanup: Head to our coastal cleanup page for easy instructions on how to organize a cleanup with friends and family. It’s easy, we promise!
L.L. Bean and Thompson’s Point Trash Bash: After you conduct a coastal cleanup, bring your full bags of trash to L.L. Bean in Freeport or Thompson’s Point in Portland in exchange for a $10 L.L. Bean gift card.
Mere Point Oyster Company Beach Clean: Join Mere Point Oyster Company in Brunswick and Freeport on Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. for their coastal cleanup. After the cleanup, Mere Point Oyster Company will be shucking oysters for all volunteers at no cost. Email Kelly@merepointosyter.com to volunteer and for more information.
Portland Green Gulls: Do you live or work in Portland? Help keep the city and Casco Bay clean by joining the flock at Portland Green Gulls! This new clean-up initiative begins on Earth Day, April 22 and runs through the summer. By picking-up trash and tidying your stoop for just a few minutes every morning, you can help keep our waters safe and clean for all.
Be Bee and Bay Friendly
Support pollinators and the health of Casco Bay on Earth Day — and every day — with environmentally-friendly lawn care. Hold off on mowing your lawn in May to give bees time to do what they do best: pollinate! Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers to promote healthy soil and prevent these chemicals from washing into the Bay. To learn more about how you can have a thriving lawn and support the environment, join our partners at Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District for their Yardscaping workshop on April 26.
Support Sustainable Seaweed
Seaweed Week is a Maine festival that celebrates the state’s kelp harvest and all the delicious, creative products that come from this special marine resource. Seaweed Week begins on Earth Day, April 22 and ends on Sunday, May 1. Visit the Seaweed Week website to learn where you can get your hands on food, drinks, and crafts that celebrate seaweed in Maine.
Ways to keep learning
Earth Day History: you can read up on the history of Earth Day and how it came to be on the Earth Day website. You can also check out the Wikipedia article on Earth Day.
Join us on Wednesday, May 18, Noon – 1 p.m. for The State of the Bay: 50 years of the Clean Water Act and 30+ Years of Advocacy, A Casco Bay Matters Event. Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca and Staff Scientist Mike Doan will be joined by Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Director Curtis Bohlen. They will share research on the health of the Bay and discuss how the Clean Water Act and community-based advocacy have helped improve the health of our waters. This event will take place online via zoom. You must register to attend. We hope to see you there!