Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin is considered the “founder” of Earth Day. Nelson’s idea evolved over a seven-year period beginning in 1962 and resulted in the first Earth Day being held on April 22, 1970. The first Earth Day drew together more than 20 million Americans and became the largest grassroots demonstration in U.S. history. Participants took to the streets, lobbied Congress and began the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 1970 helped develop public support that led to the enactment of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act as well as the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rest is history. 

• Reduce, reuse and recycle
• Conserve water.
• Carpool, bike, walk and ride the bus
• Don't forget your reusable bag when you go shopping.
• Find pollution solutions
• Drive Smart
• Don't Idle
• Compost food and yard waste
• Keep storm drains free of trash
• Put litter in its place.
• Adopt-a-Beach
• Adopt-a-Stream
• Become a Clean Marina
• Water your lawn only when it needs it.
• Grasscycle
• Dispose of hazardous substances properly
• Research Environmental Grants for Your School
• Be a Champion of the Environment
• Donate food to food banks and charities
• Buy earth-friendly products and material.