Earth Day—

What Does April 22 Mean To You?

By Kendra Bobowick

April 22 is Earth Day.

“It’s got to happen,” said resident Terrence Ford, also a member of the Energy Task Force, which is sponsoring Earth Day events in Newtown this year.

“It’s about being smarter, about changing the face of the globe,” he said. “It’s about awareness.” Thinking of schools, business, individual households, Mr Ford said, “We need to get organized.”

Task force Chairman Dan Holmes notes that a handful of private Earth Day efforts are already on the calendar. He wants to see them aligned. (See schedule at end of story.) Looking in those different directions, Mr Holmes said, “It’s important to encapsulate and pull the splintered groups together,” if not through event or location, then, “at least in the minds of people.” Mr Holmes has been thinking about Earth Day for a long time. In fact, he wrote an e-mail to focus his thoughts.

“It is center to what I think about all the time,” he stated. “There is still so much more we all need to be aware of.” Mr Holmes suggests making business and lifestyle changes to protect the environment. “Many of our practices are not sustainable,” he said, and choices are limited.

Businesses, governments, and organizations “need to be held responsible for creating sustainable products,” he stressed. Ideally he would wake up in a world where laws are passed and enforced to assure “the least amount of impact on our surroundings — water, soil, air quality.” Individuals will hopefully “follow suit,” he wrote.

His next words suggest that residents help send a message to officials: “The impact we as a community have on our elected officials is tremendous. The impact has real synergy on Earth Day.”

Concerned About The Environment?

Already Earth Day is at the front of Mr Holmes’ and Mr Ford’s thoughts, among others, including resident and task force member Pam Buchler and Mocha Coffee House co-owner Rob Kaiser.

Enjoying a late-afternoon bowl of homemade gumbo recently at Mocha and glancing out at the Pootatuck River rushing past, Mr Ford set his spoon aside and grabbed a magazine.

Opening the slick pages on the table, he pointed to an article about “growing up green,” about an industry that prospered on renewable energy, and began to wonder about the affluent East Coast and Fairfield County particularly. He does not see enough green efforts on either business or personal levels. “We haven’t cared enough,” he said. “We’re one of the richest counties in the United States, but we’re slowest to adapt.”

Looking through the magazine filled with examples of enhanced environmental efforts, Mr Ford noted that green living is common in other parts of the country. “When does it become our way of life?” he asked. Noting the approaching Earth Day on April 22 and the many groups already preparing for it, he mused, “We’ve got to keep plugging away.” Part of the equation is awareness and educating the public.

Earth Day could be an eye-opener to trash on the ground, contaminants in car exhaust, green energy, recycling, and more, including drinking water. Flipping to one advertisement in particular, Mr Ford put his finger down on the page and read a website address that offers an important link for residents who want to learn more. Onethingct.com greets visitors with a warm, simple welcome. Below a photo of Governor M. Jodi Rell is the statement, “A OneThing is a simple step you take to save energy. But it’s more than that. It’s also the mindset that you can make a difference. A movement to get everyone involved. And a solution to help ensure a better energy future here in Connecticut.” The site then beckons, “Learn more…”

Also devoted to protecting the environment and Newtown’s water supply in particular is James Belden, president of the Pootatuck Watershed Association and the Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter. He has a broader view from the candy wrapper shuffling along the curb or the rainbow-sheen of pollution forming on the water.

“The most important thing we have to realize is that the health of our environment is our future,” he said. “We should think about that every day, not just Earth Day.” Residents need to think daily about what is in the drinking water and streams. “It has a direct impact on human health, not just fish and macroinvertebrates.

Mr Belden noted “we learn a lot” from even the smallest animals such as crayfish, mussels, aquatic snails, aquatic worms, and the larvae of aquatic insects, among other organisms. “The absence of macroinvertabrates shows you the water isn’t clean — that’s important.”

What Are You Doing For Earth Day?

Newtowners will kick-off Earth Day on the weekend following Tuesday, April 22. That Saturday, April 26, will be a day filled with “something for everyone.”

From 10 am to noon will be an educational session at the Newtown Middle School with the Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Mark storm drains with the high school Ecology Club and Pootatuck Watershed Association; meet at 8 am at the middle school. Conservationist Pat Barkman will conduct Al’s Trail Maintenance between 10 am and 2 pm. Meet at the middle school.

Head outdoors and hike on an Ecology Walk and learn about recent open space acquisitions, backyard ecology, wetland protection, and more. Meet at the middle school at 2 pm. Those more interested in a quick lessons can enjoy the presentation, “What is an Aquifer?” in the middle school gymnasium between 10 am and 2 pm.

Also throughout the day Saturday will be information available about alternative energy choices, green living methods and products, organic foods, and more.

Residents throughout town are urged to make an effort with their neighbors to “adopt a road” and do a roadside cleanup along their street. Mr Holmes wrote in an e-mail, “I hope many residents will find time to participate in one or more events and do their seemingly small, yet critical en-masse effort.”

Exhibit and vendor applications for Newtown’s 2008 Earth Day Celebration slated for April 26 between 9:30 am and 3 pm should submit an application by March 15. Contributions for exhibit space range from $25 for nonprofits to as much as $200 for a large corporation. Contact 270-3331.

(Watch for more articles for additional information about local Earth Day events and environmental concerns.)