Earth Day’s Roots in the Watershed
The global celebration of Earth Day began in 1970 and is celebrated annually on April 22. Senator Gaylord A. Nelson, born and raised in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, is internationally known as the “Father of Earth Day.” Nelson credits his love for the environment to the boyhood time he spent on the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers.
The creation of Earth Day gave voice to an emerging environmental consciousness across the nation. In awarding Gaylord Nelson the nation’s highest civilian award in 1995, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President William Clinton stated, “As father of Earth Day, he is the grandfather of all that grew out of that event: The Environmental Protection Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act.”
North Woods and Waters promotes conservation throughout the watershed every day, with a special emphasis during April each year.
We invite you to explore our Earth Day Newsletter from last year.
Check out our video collection for more videos about Earth Day for adults, youth, and children.
April 22, 2020 was the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. To honor this significant milestone, North Woods and Waters promoted a watershed-wide “St. Croix Earth Day 2020” year of special celebrations, programs and environmental action to honor the legacy of Senator Nelson and other environmental heroes. Learn about the year’s highlights here.
Visit Clear Lake, Wisconsin
Plan a visit to Nelson’s hometown, Clear Lake, Wisconsin. Make sure to stop at the Clear Lake Historical Museum, which includes priceless memorabilia from Senator Nelson’s environmental legacy, including a shadow box of pens used to sign historic laws that protect our nation’s land and water. The museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and year-round by request. Call for hours: 715-263-2715.
Learn More About Earth Day
Watch…
Senator Gaylord A. Nelson talk about the first Earth Day at a speech given in Madison in April, 1970. (Milwaukee Public Television, 1970, 3 mn)
Watch…
When the Earth Moves, Tia Nelson’s film about her father, Gaylord Nelson.
When the Earth Moves features private archival footage of the original 1970 Earth Day and its founder, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. The film also features leading voices from the modern Earth Day movement, including Nelson’s daughter, Tia, Outrider Foundation managing director and ecoAmerica board member.
Read…
A fascinating description about the very first Earth Day (April 22, 1970) and to see the global impact of this event, visit the Earth Day Network.
Read…
There are many books written about Senator Gaylord A. Nelson and Earth Day, such as The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach In Unexpectedly Made the First Green Generation (Hill and Wang, 2014).
For more books and articles, go here…
Tell Your Earth Day Story
Almost everyone has an Earth Day story! What’s yours?
Tell us your story, and send a photo if you want, and we’ll share your story with others.
Where were you on your first Earth Day? What Earth Day actions have you taken? Have you cleaned up a river? Started a pollinator garden? Planted a tree? Marched in a rally? Sent a letter to a legislator? The actions you’ve taken and the stories you tell will inspire others. Please take a moment to share them!
