This year Earth Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 22^nd. Those of us who work and volunteer for The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) consider every day as Earth Day. We know how fortunate we are to live in a beautiful place and in our work to care for this special region designated as a National Heritage Corridor in 1994.

Earth Day began in 1970 when America was still relatively oblivious to environmental concerns. Rachel Carson’s bestseller Silent Spring had been published in 1962, and it represented a watershed moment for what today is our modern environmental movement. Her book and activism raised our national consciousness and concern about all living organisms and public health – specifically the use and long-term deleterious impacts of synthetic pesticides such as DDT.

I participated in the first Earth Day in 1970 when I was a freshman in high school and remember reading Silent Spring for the first time that same year. Several years ago, I purchased an early edition of Silent Spring, and her other books, The Sea Around Us and Under the Sea Wind. I am pleased to have added these books to my growing collection of works by important and influential environmental authors.

Carson’s influence as the spark for Earth Day can’t be denied. Her role is even more poignant when we learn about the unfounded criticism aimed at her by the chemical industry because of Silent Spring. She also testified before Congress about the effects of DDT, all the while suffering from cancer. Unfortunately, she died in 1964 and did not live to see the banning of DDT, let alone the first Earth Day. I urge readers of this column to learn more about Rachael Carson and her work.

Another influential person bringing awareness to the need for environmental activism was Aldo Leopold, an author, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist and environmentalist. He is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac. In the chapter “The Land Ethic,” Leopold states “the land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, water, plants and animals, or collectively: the land.” “In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.”

I read A Sand County Almanac many years ago and frequently return to it for inspiration. Leopold’s direct and simple descriptions of the natural world he observed and experienced throughout his life show a profound understanding of nature, an appreciation for wilderness areas and our impact on natural systems.

Aldo Leopold died in 1948, and like Rachael Carson, is considered one of the pillars of today’s conservation and environmental movement. I urge readers of this column to look for A Sand County Almanac and to discover Aldo Leopold, his life and work.

A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to organize or join cleanups in your community. You can find a list of cleanups in TLGV’s Spring Outdoors directory, https://thelastgreenvalley.org/spring-outdoors-events/

If your town or local non-profit organization is interested in hosting a cleanup you may want to consider contacting TLGV. We provide up to $500 for expenses like publicity, cleanup supplies (e.g. trash bags, work gloves, small gardening tools, etc.), native seeds and plantings, food for your volunteers and more. Your cleanup doesn’t have to be held by Earth Day, but you need to submit your application right away while TLGV has available funds. Funds are limited and almost gone for this budget year. Visit https://thelastgreenvalley.org/learn-protect/cleanup-and-greenups/ for specific information.

Rachael Carson, Aldo Leopold and so many others helped lead the way to greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Earth Day is their continued legacy and gives us time to pause, to consider our actions, and to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Our time is now. Join us and together let us care for, enjoy, and pass on to the next generation this special place we call The Last Green Valley.

Bill Reid is the Chief Ranger of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. He can be reached at 860-774-3300 or via email at bill@tlgv.org.