Earth Day is for everyone

Before Earth Day, celebrated on Apr. 22, was officially recognized for the first time in April 1970, the United States released massive amounts of toxic chemicals and pollution into the air and waterways with little oversight or consequence, which ultimately led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency that same year. 

According to earthday.org, by the end of 1970, the first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of other first-of-their-kind environmental laws, including the National Environmental Education Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Clean Air Act.  

Now, 56 years later, thousands of grassroots organizations alongside groups with support across the political spectrum are involved in efforts to address environmental and climate related issues.  

At Troy University, that broader movement takes shape through local research and student-led initiatives that focus on protecting and understanding the natural environments and ecosystems of Southeastern Alabama.  

“The Arboretum works to preserve representative members, communities and habitats of the Wiregrass region of Southeast Alabama across its 75 acres adjacent to the main campus and its 18-acre Pocosin Nature Preserve located about six miles east of campus,” said Dr. Alvin Diamond, director of the Troy University Arboretum and curator of the Troy University Herbarium. “By acquiring native plant species, Troy University’s Arboretum aims to establish habitats that allow local and migratory wildlife to flourish.” 

Through various resources such as the Arboretum and the Herbarium, Troy students can make a positive environmental impact.  

Students currently studying environmental sciences have the option to take field-based classes that allow for students to have hands-on experience in fields of their interest along with faculty that have been conducting research and protective efforts for the blackwater and alluvial wetlands among many other research areas.  

“I feel that our department offers many hands-on undergraduate and M.S. graduate research opportunities with supportive like-minded faculty and staff researchers that want to help protect our soil, water, plant and animal resources,” said Dr. Chris Boyd, associate department chair and associate professor of restoration ecology in the department of biological and environmental sciences at Troy University.  

“Earth Day should be celebrated every day in my opinion,” Boyd said. “By bringing awareness to these issues, along with promoting building with nature and reducing developmental impacts, is critical to protecting our natural resources while over time, hopefully reducing long-term environmental impacts that cost citizens and communities in the long run.” 

Earth Day has become a symbol of hope for environmentalists across the country, but many believe a single day should be turned into long-term mindfulness with more attention to urgency. 

“Long-term impacts require long-term plans and actions,” said Dr. Chelsea M. Smith, lecturer in the department of biological and environmental sciences at Troy University. “For example, rather than holding a litter clean day just for Earth Day, scheduling a day every month would be more beneficial.”  

On this Earth Day, students are encouraged to visit the arboretum and herbariums, respectively, to learn more about the department’s research into aquatic ecosystems and the interconnected sustainability and conservation efforts happening on campus.  

The Troy University Naturalist Club will also be holding an Earth Day Festival on the quad from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Visitors will be able to learn about the environment through activities like cyanotyping art, live animals, educational zines and edible insects.