On the 22 we celebrate Earth day by helping give back to Mother Nature.

Earth Day originated during the hippie years 1960-70’s when people started acknowledging environmental concerns.

In those days “Earth Day capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center,” said Earth Day Network.

Wisconsin’s senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea after the 1969 oil spill in Barbara Rosa, California. He then set up a political campaign to spread the word of a day to teach about helping the earth.

Consequently, on April 22, 1970, 20 million people took to the streets rallying about a new day.

Currently there are “5,000 environmental groups and a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people,” said the Earth Network.

Many communities celebrate the day with festivals that educate people on greener options such as recycling or solar panels and volunteering events to clean parks and plant trees.

“I remember in Blue Ash a few years ago when they opened a community garden on Earth Day. I thought it was a great way to give back to the environment,” said Lavanya Konda.

There are many ways to get involved in the community for Earth Day. Here in Cincinnati, the city sponsors a large event at Sawyer Point with vendors, displays, contests, and games. More locally, Blue Ash celebrates this special day at their Nature Center.