I made the below video almost two years ago, but I have recently changed up the audio. This video is a culmination of facts about our environment as well as ways we can improve the environment. I think you'll learn something. I see it as the video version of the Ways2GoGreen website. Enjoy.
Earth Day is an annual holiday founded by peace activist John McConnell, who also designed the Earth Day Flag. It started as a grassroots effort to inform people to support environmental concerns and create a movement. Now there are millions in the world who celebrate Earth Day each year on April 22nd. If you haven't already, learn more about Earth Day and become involved.
The first official Earth Day was on April 22, 1970. The day was proposed by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. It marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated that year, with a goal of a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.
In 1990, 200 million people in 141 countries celebrated the day and lifted the status of environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit. For 2000, Earth Day had the internet to help link activists around the world. By the time April 22 rolled around, 5,000 environmental groups around the world were on board, reaching out to hundreds of millions of people in a record 184 countries. Including, hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Earth Day 2007 was one of the largest Earth Days to date, with an estimated billion people participating all over the world.
The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder and pioneer John McConnell, an early leader in the international peace movement. Inspired by the striking first photographs of the whole Earth taken during America's historic Apollo 10 space mission in 1969, this symbolic creation attained immediate world-wide recognition, including a lifetime association with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Dr. Mead carried what she called "the flag for all people" with her wherever she appeared from 1969 until her death in 1977.
Earth Day originally had a symbol that was a combination of the letters "E" and "O" taken from the words "Environment" and "Organism", respectively. Later a theta was used because of its historic use as a warning symbol, or the peace symbol. Theta is now associated with Earth Day.
Celebrate the planet locally or globally every day, not just on Earth Day. To find Earth Day events in your area, go to Earth Day events.
This past weekend I hiked in Jefferson Memorial Forest, which is located in southern Jefferson County in Louisville, Kentucky. I had never been there before, much less hiked there so I took the opportunity on a decent day in November for a hike. I ended up hiking the Purple Heart Trail, which is a 2 mile loop trail which is of moderate difficulty. There are definitely some literal ups and downs to this trail, but it isn’t too strenuous.
This past week the fall colors were mostly gone and understandably parts of the trails were overcome with leaves, but the trails and the grounds were otherwise clean and a great place to getaway.
Above is the Tom Wallace Lake. I would like to go back next year and explore more of the many trails at Jefferson Memorial Forest. Kentucky is a beautiful state and you can see some of its beauty at Jefferson Memorial Forest.
Do you like hiking or have you ever been to Jefferson Memorial Forest?
Let me know.
Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints
I found a book titled Weird Kentucky
a few months ago and I was intrigued. I mean, I'm weird and I've lived in Kentucky my entire life so I had
to read this book. There were many interesting stories, legends and facts about Kentucky. One of the most
interesting items in the book is a page on the small town of Rabbit Hash, which has a website located
here. This town is best known for
electing a dog as mayor. I'm not making that up. They actually voted in a dog as mayor of their fine town.
There was a documentary made on the town of Rabbit Hash which details the election which resulted in a dog
as mayor. I've seen the documentary and I really enjoyed it. The film shows an honest and real
portrayal of people. More info on the movie can be seen
here.
Anyway, the reason this little town is in my blog is because of a product
mentioned in the film, which is made in this tiny town in
Kentucky. That product is Mutt Mitt®, the biodegradable pet pollution solution. They are made by
a company called Intelligent Products, Inc.
They are used in communities and parks around the country to make it simple for dog owners to clean up the poo from their
dogs and dispose of it easily and environmentally. Mutt Mitt® is made solely in the U.S. and has been made since 1989.
For more information, go to the Mutt Mitt® website.
Everyone who lives in Rabbit Hash calls it "The Center of the Universe". Who
knows? Maybe it is. I do know that cleaning up dog poo in an eco-friendly manner is better than the alternative.
Whether you live in the center of the universe or not, keep your area clean and green.
General Butler State Resort Park is located 45 minutes north on I-71 from Louisville. I've visited
the park many times. This visit was specifically just for a little picnic and fun. This park is
great for doing that. It is equipped with a playground, swings, a mini train and a mini golf course. I've
experienced all of these. Fun stuff. All of these are before you even get to the Kentucky River portion of
the park. A photo is below.
The new playground was very nice. You have your big slide, rock wall and kiddie zip line.
My favorite part was the flooring for the playground. It was mulched rubber tires.
Yay, Kentucky state parks going green. I was surprised at how
soft it is. It is a perfect flooring for a playground. I recommend it highly. A photo of the playground
is below.
The park also has a big lodge, many cabins, a large campground, the Two Rivers Restaurant and a golf
course. All of these are very nice and affordable. I recommend it for any
family who find themselves in the area. Click on the link to learn more
about General Butler State Resort
Park.
If you're nowhere near Kentucky you can find nice state parks near your home. You can find the
U.S. state parks
nearest you here.
Visit your national and state parks!
