Earth Day was founded in 1970 and included environmental teach-ins that educated Americans about environmental and species conservation issues, and connected those issues to their health and well-being.
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to call for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized demonstrations and teach-ins against the deterioration of the environment.
Earth Day 1970 activated a bipartisan spirit that motivated the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. 2019 is the 50th Earth Day
This year’s focus is the threat to species on the planet.
What is an endangered species?
5 examples from the Earth Day Network of the threat to these species:
1 We are amidst the largest period of species extinction in the last 60 million years. Normally, between one and five species will go extinct annually. However, scientists estimate that we are now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the normal rate, with multiple extinctions daily. Multiple species will disappear before we learn about them or the benefits they bring to our planet
Read about the threat to elephants.
2 A new study has suggested that insect populations have decreased by more than 75% in Germany over the last 28 years. This is very alarming: 80% of wild plants rely on bees and other insects for pollination, and 60% of bird species rely on insects for food
Watch this Ted Talk on the saving of bees
3. Habitat destruction, exploitation, and climate change are driving the loss of half of the world’s wild animal population.
4. Primates, our closest animal relatives, are under extraordinary threat. Close to 60% of the world’s 504 primate species are threatened with extinction, and 75% of our primate species are in severe population decline
5. 40% of the world’s bird species are in decline, and 1 in 8 is threatened with global extinction.
One of the activities to protect species is to create a wildlife habitat! The habitat provides four elements needed for wildlife to thrive: food, water, cover, and places to raise young plus must implement sustainable practices:
- Foods 3 foods
Berries, Nectar, Foliage/Twigs, Fruits,Sap, Pollen, Suet , Bird Feeder , Squirrel Feeder Hummingbird Feeder, Butterfly Feede, Nuts
- Water – Need 1 source
Birdbath , Lake, Stream, Seasonal Pool, Ocean, Spring, River Butterfly Puddling Area, Rain Garden Water Garden/Pond
- Cover – 2 places
Wooded Area Bramble Patch, Ground Cover, Rock Pile or Wall, Cave, Roosting Box, Evergreens, Brush or Log Pile, Burrow, Meadow or Prairie, Dense Shrubs/Thicket, Water Garden or Pond
- Places to raise young – 2 places
Mature Trees, Meadow or Prairie, Nesting Box, Wetland, Cave
Burrow, Dead Trees or Snags, Dense Shrubs/Thicket, Water Garden/Pond Host Plants for Caterpillars
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: You need to employ practices from at least two of the three categories below to help manage your habitat in a sustainable way- to better help wildlife, we advocate employing one or more practices from each category
1 Soil and Water Conservation: Using mulch is an easy way to conserve water and help your trees retain moisture Riparian Buffer, Capture Rain Water from Roof, Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping), Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation, limit Water Use, Reduce Erosion, Use Mulch, Rain Garden
2 Controlling Exotic Species: Practice Integrated Pest Management, Remove Non-Native Plants and Animals, Use Native Plants, Reduce Lawn Areas
3 Organic Practices: Eliminate Chemical Pesticides, Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers, Compost.