AndrweHeywoodApril222010

=EARTH DAY=

By: Andrew Heywood heywooda@students.nescom.edu ==


 * Bangor, ME** - Snow is a thought of the not so far off past, and so is the cold. The sun is shining, kids are playing and so are the Red Sox. It is more and more starting to feel like spring. But what about all the trash that the snow once covered? Luckily, April 22nd is Earth Day.

[|Earth Day] became official in April of 1970, marking this year as the 40th anniversary. Earth Day was the brainchild of former [|Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson]. Nelson was always a huge advocate for the environment, and he [|devoted nearly seven years] to the cause. He was also the driving force behind the ban of pesticides like DDT, and Agent Orange. Though he is probably best known for starting the Earth Day movement.

Upon its beginning, Earth Day was designed to emulate the anti-War rallies from the late sixties. People around the country kicked in and in their own way. The first year people in New York marched down the street and in Boston people were actually arrested for protesting against pollution outside of Logan Airport.

Here at [|Husson University], some 40 years later people are still showing they care for the environment; or at least the Red Sox. The [|student activities] organized a campus clean up. The campus clean up was held during two times, the first from 10am to Noon, and the second from 1pm-2:30pm. Students were enticed to come up and help clean the campus grounds with the offer of community service hours. Another motivator, all students that came out would be entered into a raffle to win 2 tickets to a [|Red Sox] game.

On top of the campus clean-up, the student government social committee is hosting their own Earth Day festivities. They are having a "Novelty Night" where people who show up to the Furman Center will be able to make their own spin art grocery bags. The flier for the event also advertised for bamboo plants.

It is a wonder if Gaylord Nelson had envisioned his Earth Day idea would still be alive and well forty years later. Or if anyone would care. One thing is for certain, people do care. Especially all those around Husson who came out, even if it was just for a chance to win tickets.