Willimantic will celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 22, with an event sponsored by Quinebaug Valley Community College and its Student Government Association.
According to one of the organizers, Windham town historian Bev York, the Earth Day celebration is designed as an educational event for elementary, high school, and college students with hands-on interactive displays that address the issues of sustainability, climate change, renewable energy, and other environmental concerns.
Each year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day in 1970 led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
Forty-three years later the fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more apparent every day. Earth Day provides the opportunity for citizens to channel their energy and enthusiasm into building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.
Katie Gregory, assistant director of admissions at QVCC, said they are looking for local organizations to participate on April 22 and raise awareness about environmental threats and encourage people to strive for healthy, sustainable surroundings. This includes sharing efforts as well as demonstrating simple actions one can take to protect the earth.
The Earth Day event will be held rain or shine on North Street in downtown Willimantic, next door at QVCC. For more information please contact Katie Gregory at 860-423-1824 or cgregory@qvcc.commnet.edu
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